Is 35 really the best age?
I’d like to borrow this question from an article I read when I turned 35. The article, published in the Money section of The Guardian in 2012, talks about a survey that claims that by 35, “people have reached certain milestones but have good years ahead of them.”
The survey, according to the article, asked more than 2,000 adults from across the age ranges what they thought the best age was, and the average came out to be 35 – the age in which people are expected to have reached milestones like owning properties, finding a partner, having a first child, climbing the corporate ladder, or simply finding their place under the sun, so to speak. The keyword, stability.
While reading the article, I suddenly remembered what Latina pop superstar Jennifer Lopez said that men are “useless” until the age of 33.
And if I were to look at the lives of my friends and colleagues, there’s a glaring truth in her statement.
In the world of showbiz, there are 35-year-olds whom you can’t consider too young or too old yet they’re able to sail successfully even giving their younger counterparts a run for their money.
Since Manila Standard is celebrating its 35th year, “revving for the leap forward,” Manila Standard Entertainment is listing down the most successful local stars born in 1987, the same year when the paper also started publication.
Bea Alonzo, October 17
She’s a star that doesn’t need much introduction. Bea has established herself as one of the most successful TV and movie actresses of her generation with box-office hits and top-rating television series tucked under her belt. Now an exclusive talent of GMA Network, she established her ties with the country’s leading media company in July last year. Bea is still recognized for projects with ABS-CBN and her team-up with John Lloyd Cruz who also found a home in GMA. Bea’s most anticipated project as a Kapuso is a movie with the network’s most prized possession, Alden Richards.
Kean Cipriano, June 11
This occasional actor and family man has a flourishing career in music. Callalily’s frontman is not just a composer and a music video director, he is also a record label executive. In 2018, with his wife Chyna Ortaleza, Kean launched O/C Records (a subsidiary of Viva Records), which manages some of the most exciting music acts in the recording scene today including Arthur Nery (“Pagsamo,” “Isa Lang,” “Higa,” “Binhi”), and Adie (“Paraluman,” “Tahanan”).
Jennylyn Mercado, May 15
It’s been a remarkable year for the actress who recently tied the knot with her longtime boyfriend Dennis Trillo. Just last week, the expectant mom celebrated her 18th year in the business. In 2003, Jennylyn was hailed as the Ultimate Female Survivor on the first season of StarStruck. Since then, she has appeared in notable GMA-7 shows such as Encantadia, Super Twins, and La Vendetta, as well as the local adaptations of My Love from the Star and Descendants of the Sun.
Tom Rodriguez, October 1
In his second year in the business, he was cast in the remake of the film Temptation Island (2011), which became a box office hit. But his biggest break came in 2013 (the same year when he transferred to GMA after launching a career in ABS-CBN via Pinoy Big Brother) when he played a gay character in My Husband’s Lover. In the following year, he starred again opposite his MHL co-star and now wife Carla Abellana. In 2015, Tom portrayed Sergio in the second Philippine adaptation of the hit Televisa Mexicanovela MariMar opposite Megan Young. With his exceptional skill as a screen actor, Tom has maintained his status as one of GMA’s most reliable actors.
Rocco Nacino, March 21
The actor, who recently celebrated his first wedding anniversary with wife Melissa Gohing, has been in showbiz for 13 years now. Born in Baguio and was raised in Singapore and Laguna, Rocco is best known for his role in the local adaptation of Descendants of the Sun. One of his notable performances was in the series Koreana, which gave him his first acting nomination from the Entertainment Press Society (Enpres) in 2011. A multitalented actor, Rocco is also a recording artist with two albums reaching platinum status.
Nikki Gil, August 23
Prior to becoming a social media personality (inspiring her two million-strong following on Instagram), this mom-of-two (she welcomed her second child four months ago), was a theater and television actress, singer, host, model, and video jockey. Before she got married six years ago, Nikki had released five studio albums, appeared in five theater productions, six movies, and 26 television programs.
Ahron Villena, March 10
This Batangas City native has worked in three different networks, has starred in 11 films, and appeared in 33 television programs since he became an actor in 2004. A product of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and is currently a freelance artist, Ahron has been enjoying a steady career considering some of the stars of his contemporaries have already faded. The strength of his career lies in his being a versatile actor and his willingness to face the challenges head-on. This is possibly why he was able to work in three different networks. Currently, Ahron is part of TV5’s Niña Niño.
Denise Laurel, September 30
Career longevity is her game being around in showbiz since 2001. An advocate for body positivity, this celebrity mom was discovered by a prominent star-maker while still in Repertory Philippines. Given her background as an actor, Denise was able to launch a successful career spanning two decades. Some of her memorable works include ABS-CBN series Midnight Phantom and Kristine. This year, she will be part of the local adaptation of the Korean series Flower Of Evil.
Rodjun Cruz, October 10
Like the rest of the members of the Cruz clan in showbiz, Rodjun has maintained a reputable name in the industry. A dancer, a host, and an actor, he always delivered hence making himself a bankable star. From a hosting job in the children’s magazine show 5 And Up in his early days in showbiz, Rodjun has listed memorable projects in his resume including being part of more than 50 television programs. Now a doting father, the Sparkle artist also established himself as an entrepreneur with the launch of a sports apparel brand he established along with his siblings.
Ryza Cenon, December 21
GMA launched her career in 2004 when she became the Ultimate Female Survivor of the second season of StarStruck. She has played numerous roles on television and in films. Most people recognize her as the antagonist in the well-loved drama Ika-6 na Utos, which spawned numerous online memes that went viral during the show’s duration. In 2018, Ryza signed an exclusive contract with ABS-CBN and joined the longest-running action TV drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. Later, she became part of The General’s Daughter and won her third Best Supporting Actress award.
Jason Francisco, October 11
It seems like it was just yesterday when he charmed television viewers with his naturally quirky personality as one of the housemates of Pinoy Big Brother in 2009. Now, Jason is celebrating his 12th year in the business. Jason officially launched a television career via Melason In Love with his then-girlfriend and now wife Melisa Cantiveros. In 2017, he left ABS-CBN and moved to GMA Network to join the cast of Alyas Robin Hood series. Now, the father-of-two still currently thrives playing small yet important roles in the network.
LJ Reyes, December 25
She’s one of the most successful alumni of the widely acclaimed StarStruck. The 2016 Gawad Urian Best Actress (Ang Anino sa Likod ng Buwan) has maintained a stellar career being a staple face in GMA television series. Although her last project was a TV series that premiered in 2018, she had remained visible on TV even during the pandemic before deciding to keep it low-key after her controversial split with former partner Paolo Contis.
Jake Cuenca, December 30
He’s able to create his own brand, a name that instantly rings a bell whenever mentioned on multimedia platforms. While being a multi-awarded actor and one of the most successful names in local entertainment today, Jake was able to reinvent himself with his much applauded theatrical debut in 2018. This year, the actor who has a flourishing showbiz career (and is obviously winning at life, too), will join the stellar cast of ABS-CBN newest series Cattleya Killer set for international release.