GMA Network’s talent management arm Sparkle took 2022 by storm with a frenzy of events and a number of launches.
Under the leadership of Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, GMA’s senior vice president, Sparkle turned its focus on its impressive roster of artists. “I hope that I can lead Sparkle well and that I can fulfill the demands of the position and I hope na tumuloy-tuloy and we can really be of service to our stars and to the network,” Atty. Gozon-Valdes said.
Supporting her in overseeing the operations of the department is a team of seasoned personnel from the industry including AVP for Talent Management Joy Marcelo, senior managers Tracy Garcia, Vic del Rosario, Daryl Zamora who oversee probably the largest support team of managers, handlers, producers, and specialists to more or less 300 artists.
Iconic star builder Johnny Manahan has been hands-on since the rebranding of the group to Sparkle.
The most watched TV programs of 2022 were topbilled by Sparkle’s Prime artists Sanya Lopez for “First Lady,” Ruru Madrid for “Lolong,” Barbie Forteza, David Licauco, and Julie Anne San Jose for “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” Kylie Padilla for “Bolera,” and Alden Richards for “Start-Up PH,” to name a few.
Trusted brands and even start-ups forged partnerships with leading stars such as Heart Evangelista, Alden Richards, Gabbi Garcia, Julie Anne San Jose, Kyline Alcantara, Camille Prats, and Khalil Ramos.
Sparkle’s prime artists also landed multiple covers and features in major local and international magazines such as Vogue, Now Magazine, L’Officiel Preview, MEGA Magazine, and Cosmopolitan PH, to name a few.
With all these, Sparkle held the biggest gathering of stars last July for a thanksgiving gala and charity event. The night featured the loveliest lineup of talents which kept the online world abuzz for several weeks and gave millions of views, unchallenged in number to this day.
Definitely on their way to stardom is the newest batch of stars that was launched, the Sparkada. These artists were also part of Sparkle’s official summer music video titled “Kung Ikaw ang Kasama.” Some of them, Tanya Ramos, Caitlyn Stave, Kirsten Gonzales, Cheska Fausto, Vince Maristela, Sean Lucas, Raheel Bhyria, and Michael Sager, are seen in the current primetime program, Wattpad’s gigantic hit “Luv Is: Caught in His Arms,” featuring Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay.
The glitz, glam, and fun never stopped all year long as Sparkle then held its first-ever Halloween party via “The Sparkle Spell.” Following the successful GMA Thanksgiving Gala, Sparkle artists and online influencers showed off their scariest, sexiest, and most stylish costumes in one bewitching evening.
Sparkle also mounted the “Sparkle Fans Day: Isang Pasasalamat” at the SM North Edsa Skydome that was jam-packed with 1,400 fans and featured astounding performances from 70 artists.
Later in the year, Sparkle successfully organized its second grand contract signing event, “Signed for Stardom,” where various Kapuso artists renewed their contracts, while at the same time, new faces were introduced. Some of the stars who renewed their contract with Sparkle were Kylie Padilla, Kyline Alcantara, Ysabel Ortega, Derrick Monasterio, and David Licauco. Thea Tolentino, Lianne Valentin, Angel Guardian, Liezel Lopez, Sophie Albert, Thia Thomalla, Maxine Medina, Rodjun Cruz, EA Guzman, and Juancho Trivino were also embraced into the fold. Sparkle also welcomed seasoned actor Jason Gainza, beauty queen Bianca Manalo, and actor-comedian Buboy Villar to its roster.
Another highlight of the year was when Sparkle welcomed this Generation’s Pop Princess, Zephanie. To date, she continues to showcase her amazing vocals in GMA shows and events. Also joining Sparkle’s star-studded roster of talents is Chanty, a member of the new K-pop group Lapillus.
GMA’s stable of stars also launched its newest website. In the digital age, expect interactive sites, shows, and channels from Sparkle’s Gen Z artists as well as online shows produced by Sparkle showcasing new and exciting discoveries. Just recently, they also launched the new Sparkle Wall of Fame – a photo display of various artists, located at the GMA Annex Building.
Sparkle also boasts of its social media milestones. And its stars also got the chance to shine through projects and collaborations with streaming platforms such as Viu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.
Sparkle also shook up the concert scene Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz’ “JulieVerse,” Alden Richards’ “ForwARd” US Tour and Pokwang’s concert in Dubai.
For 2023, Sparkle is all set to shine even more with GMA’s prime offerings such as “Mga Lihim ni Urduja” starring Sanya Lopez, Gabbi Garcia, and Kylie Padilla, “Hearts on Ice” featuring Ashley Ortega, “Underage” starring Lexi Gonzales, Elijah Alejo, and Hailey Mendes, and “Voltes V: Legacy” with Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Matt Lozano, Radson Flores, and Raphael Landicho, just to name a few.
