Five years in show business. That’s how long Xia Vigor has been in the industry. It’s literally half of her life. And things just keep on getting better for the 10-year-old kid who was part of the blockbuster film Miracle In Cell No. 7, which has raked in half-a-billion-peso at the local tills.
Xia is now an official member of the Viva Entertainment family after signing an artist and movie contracts with Viva on Jan. 24. Part of her contract is doing three movies this year.
During her contract signing, Xia was all ecstatic as she talked about Miracle in Cell No. 7, the highest-grossing film in the latest edition of Metro Manila Film Festival, and what she’s going to do with the bonus she got from Viva since the film’s performance exceeded their expectations.
“We don’t know what to do with the money, yet. For sure, we’ll put it in the bank then some portion will go to charity. Our family loves doing charity works,” Xia said in vernacular.
Despite her newfound success, Xia still talks humbly using po and opo in between her sentences and consistently said that her life doesn’t feel any different now that a lot of people already recognize her. In fact, even when she’s at school, she said her classmates don’t treat her as someone special.
“Some of the kids at my school are writing me letters. They say they enjoyed my movie and they thank me for being a kind classmate. Whenever I get messages like that, I feel so happy,” she told Manila Standard in an interview.
Since becoming a recognizable face, people come up to her to have a picture with her. She said she doesn’t mind the attention and getting used to it.
“I just enjoy it. I love my job,” Xia, who talks like an adult, said.
Born in June 2009, Xia was the first grand winner of It’s Showtime’s segment, “Mini Me 2” as mini Selena Gomez. She was the main co-host of noontime variety segment, “Xia and Kuys” with co-hosts Vhong Navarro and Billy Crawford. She rose to fame after joining Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (season 1) and for impersonating American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift.
“I’ve always wanted to appear on TV, I enjoy making people laugh and cry. I think I was born to entertain people,” she ended.
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Bong Revilla’s showbiz comeback
In December, GMA network announced that Sen. Bong Revilla would be starring as a forest ranger in a new TV series, Agimat ng Agila, his first showbiz project since his four years in detention for plunder charges, which he was acquitted of by anti-graft court Sandiganbayan in December 2018.
“Showbiz, especially acting is my first love. I’m doing this for myself and for the people who are waiting for my showbiz return. But of course, I’m not going to abandon my responsibilities in the Senate. We just have to set priorities and manage our time efficiently,” he told the press when asked how he would be able to juggle his time between shoots and his responsibilities as a government official.
Taping for Agimat ng Agila started on Feb. 8 and will air sometime around late March or early April. The show is directed by Rico Gutierrez.
Apart from his TV project, the 53-year-old actor-politician is also exploring the possibility of going back to the silver screen. Last year, there were reports that he would be doing a movie with Maine Mendoza, Kathryn Bernardo, and even with Catriona Gray.
“Everything is on the drawing board. You’ll be the first to know if I’m going to have a movie with any of them,” he said.
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Does Eduard Banez miss showbiz?
Former Star Magic talent and Net25 newscaster Eduard Banez is currently in Los Angeles, California to pursue his studies in political arts and media history. His goal is to graduate at the University of Los Angeles, California University (UCLA) before the year ends.
As an artist and producer, Eduard had worked with Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber in the music video, “I Don’t Care,” before he decided to fully concentrate on his studies. But he said, entertainment still holds a special place in his heart.
Eduard was merely 17 years old when he joined Star Magic Batch 15, launched in 2006. Among his batchmates were Jessy Mendiola, Bela Padilla,and Megan Young.
Eduard later became a TV host and news anchor at Eagle Broadcasting Corporation. He also co-anchored with Arnell Ignacio a tele-radio show at Radyo Singko 92.3 News FM.
Moreover, Eduard hosted MTV Asia and even mentored singers who charted Billboard hits.
He briefly worked as a model and even donned Louis Vuitton creations and paraded the walkway for Vogue Philippines.
Then, Eduard worked as coach of the Professional Models Association of the Philippines (PMAP).
“I want my plans to push through and become successful, so I can help more people,” Eduard says.