Since its founding in 1981, Viva Communications, Inc.—popularly referred to as Viva Entertainment Inc.—has been affiliated with many of the biggest names in Philippine showbiz.
Some of the most recognizable stars that come to mind when you say Viva include Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Robin Padilla, Anne Curtis, and Sarah Geronimo, and that's only scratching the surface.
Read: Sarah Geronimo at Matteo Guidicelli, on speaking terms na kay Mommy Divine
Currently, Viva Artists Agency (VAA), the talent arm of the company, boasts a roster of over 300 talents across diverse fields that include, among others, acting, singing, hosting, and modeling.
Given its track record, does Viva have a formula for spotting star potential?
Veronique del Rosario, president and chief operating officer (COO) of VAA, says there is none.
"Wala talaga siyang rule or anything. But, of course, kailangan may natawag na 'star factor.' Paano malalaman? Hindi mo malalaman. You'll feel it," Veronique tells PEP.ph (Philippine Entertaiment Portal) this first quarter of 2024.
But, she says, the relationship between talent and manager requires give and take and mutual respect and trust.
"Ano kayo, side-by-side," Veronique elaborates. "You work together to achieve that dream. Kumbaga, hindi puwedeng kami lang, hindi puwedeng sila lang. So, pareho kami.
"Mahirap pag may iba silang gusto sa gusto namin. So, sa umpisa, importante sana yung tiwala lang of the artist and the parents."
Even with the pervasive influence of social media, for Veronique the reality remains unchanged: there is no such thing as overnight success in the entertainment industry.
As the VAA COO puts it: "Kailangan you have to have a plan. Di pa rin basta-basta lang."
She says Viva Artists Agency meticulously follows a "roadmap"— to navigate the trajectory of each talent's career, to make strategic plans, and to address challenges that impact on an artist's momentum.
VIVA artists agency BEST BETS FOR 2024
With this as backdrop, Veronique unveils the names represented by the Viva Artists Agency that the company counts on to make a significant presence this 2024 and in the near future.
Atasha Muhlach
Some people are destined for the spotlight. Take Atasha Muhlach, daughter of former matinee idol Aga Muhlach and Binibining Pilipinas Universe 1994 Charlene Gonzalez.
Read: Aga Muhlach says marrying Charlene Gonzalez was "the best decision I ever did"
Veronique recalls visiting the Muhlach home for dinner and instantly sensing Atasha's star potential.
"Nakita mo na yung very charming yung bata. Ano rin siya, marunong siyang makipag-usap, very likable," Veronique says.
Atasha eventually did an "impromptu audition" before Veronique and Vic del Rosario Jr., chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Viva Communications, Inc., at the end of which Viva's bigwigs concluded that the young lady is the "complete package."
The girl could act, sing, and dance.
Of course, Atasha has the genes. Aside from talent very likely inherited, she clearly inherited the artistahin looks of her very good-looking parents.
What's more, Atasha, as Veronique notes, is self-motivated, a "go-getter" who knows precisely what she wants.
This is a quality highly regarded by talent scouts, who say that attitude is as valuable as talent.
As Veronique says, "Madali nang i-push yung ganun."
Read: Atasha Muhlach once lived on 100-peso allowance as student
Currently, Atasha, who signed with Viva Artists Agency on July 3, 2023, is a regular in the country's longest-running noontime show Eat Bulaga! and will soon be seen in the sitcom Da Pers Family airing on TV5.
Read: Atasha Muhlach ipinakilala na bilang bagong Legit Dabarkads
Veronique is personally excited to see what the future holds for Atasha's showbiz career.
The Viva Artists Agency boss says: "She's one of our bets for stardom in 2024 and the years to come."
Read: Atasha Muhlach, tinapos muna ang pag-aaral bago sumabak sa showbiz
ANDRES MUHLACH
While Atasha subtly hinted, albeit in private, that she was interested in joining showbiz, her twin brother Andres Muhlach has appeared reluctant.
In an interview with PEP.ph, his father Aga also reveals that Andres wrestled with the decision of whether to join the entertainment business or to chart a different course.
On April 15, 2024, all doubts were settled: In a press conference, Viva officially introduced Andres as the newest member of its family.
So, what convinced Andres to give showbiz a chance?
"Actually, we don't know," Veronique replies. "Kasi noong time na nakausap na namin sila, he wanted na [to join]. So, yung process na na-convince siya, siyempre wala kami nun.
"I guess baka gusto rin naman niya, nahiya lang, or pinanood lang si Tash. I really don't know, but when we met him, he really wanted na [to join].
"So, we're happy sa amin na-entrust nila Aga and Charlene ang bata."
When it comes to star potential, Andres, thanks to his good looks and showbiz pedigree, already has fans eagerly awaiting his entry into show business.
Read: Andres Muhlach, inaming hindi pa siya nagkaka-girlfriend
Veronique, stating the obvious, describes Andres as "sobrang lakas ng dating."
But, there's more to Andres than the looks that are important to Viva.
"Maganda rin yung personality niya," says Veronique, "na alam mo na nandun yung shyness, pero alam mo rin naman na marunong makipag-usap, marunong makapag-converse, and alam mo na maganda yung upbringing ng bata."
HEAVEN PERALEJO
If you've been keeping an eye on showbiz, you will recognize Heaven Peralejo as one of the most visible young stars currently under Viva Artists Agency's management.
Veronique admires Heaven for her versatility as an actress, which allows management to cast her in diverse roles spanning various genres.
Read: Heaven Peralejo, nagpautang ng halos PHP1 million sa ex-boyfriend
The Viva Artists Agency COO says: "Any role, kaya niya. Kaya niya nang pa-cute, kaya nang mature, puwede mag-action. So, I think complete package si Heaven, and she's proven that na this early pa lang. She received awards na yata from two award-giving bodies."
Those recognitions came from the PMPC Star Awards and Film Academy of the Philippines Luna Awards—with Heaven winning PMPC's Best New Female TV Personality in 2018 for her acting in an episode of Wansapanataym; and winning FAP's Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2023 for her performance in Nananahimik ang Gabi.
PHOTO: Heaven Peralejo (Instagram)
Read: Heaven Peralejo, National Winner for Best Actress sa Asian Academy Creative Awards 2023
Some recent projects that Heaven was part of include the action drama series The Iron Heart and the hit thriller drama Linlang where she played the character of Olivia Castillo-Lualhati.
Young viewers of today hooked on Wattpad recognize Heaven for her portrayal of Luna Valeria in the TV adaptation of the teen romance-drama novel The Rain in España shown on Viva One in May 2023.
Veronique says the company has big plans for Heaven, so expect to see more of her, either with love-team partner Marco Gallo or with stars like Alden Richards, and in solo projects designed to showcase the young actress's versatility.
Video: Heaven Peralejo may gagawing proyekto with Alden Richards ngayong 2024
Talking about Heaven's pairing with Marco, Veronique shares this: "After the success of [The] Rain in España, may movie silang gagawin na pang age nila. Yung mga gusto ng edad nila, yung about love, may mga dating and everything."
Already, the two have a new movie titled Men Are From Quezon City, Women Are From Alabang showing on May 1, 2024.
Heaven will be seen, too, in the local adaptation of the South Korean comedy-drama movie Sunny, top-billed by seasoned stars Angelu De Leon, Ana Roces, Katya Santos, Sunshine Dizon, Candy Pangilinan, Tanya Garcia, and Vina Morales.
Read: Katya Santos on her broken marriage: "Akala ko fairytale. Naku, it's a nightmare!"
Heaven will portray the young Annie, Vina Morales's character.
Indeed, Heaven has made significant strides since her time as a housemate in ABS-CBN's Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7 back in 2016.
"Maraming aabangan kay Heaven," Veronique teases. "She's the next, ano rin, yung big star for us."
MARCO GALLO
As for Heaven's on-screen partner and fellow ABS-CBN Pinoy Big Brother alumni Marco Gallo, Veronique has nothing but praise for the Italian actor.
Thanks to the success of The Rain in España, Viva plans to cast Marco in more projects to maximize his love team with Heaven and to please his growing number of fans.
Read: It's a prank! Heaven Peralejo at Marco Gallo, bubuwagin na ang love team
"The guy has matured a lot in terms of yung acting niya," says Veronique.
Management admires Marco's commitment to attending acting workshops and his approach to honing his craft.
"Yung attitude niya is very professional," says Veronique. Which is one big reason why Veronique sees Marco becoming one of Viva's perennial leading men.
KRISSHA VIAJE
"Very talented and puwede nang bigyan ng break."
This is how Veronique feels about former GirlTrends member Krissha Viaje.
The singer and dancer finds herself drawn to acting, with Viva recognizing qualities in her that translate well onscreen. Veronique adds that Krissha is "hardworking" and is very engaged in what she is doing.
"We saw her potential," Veronique says candidly. "Importante na makita na gusto nila yung ginagawa nila. Hindi na pipilitin. So, we see that in her."
Being multi-talented also works in Krissha's favor, allowing management to utilize her on multiple platforms.
"Yung tamang project lang ang kailangan niya," Veronique says.
The Tawag ng Tanghalan and Idol Philippines contestant was given the lead role in the Viva One series Safe Skies, Archer, an adaptation of a Wattpad novel penned by Gwy Saludes.
Viva gambled right; Krissha did not disappoint. Safe Skies, Archer was received warmly by viewers.
As Veronique sums up,"Well, of course, Krissha was already in the series [The Rain in España] from the onset, may character na siya doon. Then yung next book is Safe Skies, Archer, naghanap na ng partner niya, yung character nung pilot."
After a series of screen and chemistry tests, management chose Jerome Ponce for Krissha's love interest in the series.
The on-screen pairing of Krissha and Jerome Ponce worked with viewers. It ignited kilig. In turn, this prompted Viva to closely assess their chemistry and consider them as a potential love team.
Read: Patok na tambalan nina Jerome Ponce at Krissha Viaje, nauwi na ba sa totohanan?
Read: Krissha Viaje "game" to do love scenes with Jerome Ponce in Safe Skies, Archer
JEROME PONCE
While VAA management intends to promote the Krissha-Jerome pairing, Veronique recognizes that Jerome, on his own, possesses a wealth of talent beyond eliciting kilig reactions.
Read: Sachzna Laparan and Jerome Ponce unfollow each other on Instagram; did they break up?
Veronique cites Safe Skies, Archer and the action-thriller Roadkillers as a testament to Jerome's acting potential.
Enthuses Veronique, "Ang galing niya! Kaya niya both yung drama, romance. Kaya din niya suspense, thriller. Malawak yung range ng acting ng bata. So, I guess now is the time to show his true potential."
Her conclusion: "I think malayo yung mararating din ni Jerome."
WILBERT ROSS
Another talent that screams versatility in the eyes of Viva management is Hashtags member Wilbert Ross.
Veronique says, "Isa siya sa aming mga leading men na parang unique sa category niya because he's an actor — not only an actor pero, best. Comedian siya. Pero kaya rin niya ng mag-drama. At singer siya, he also composes."
Adds the Viva executive, "He's very charming, gusto din niya yung ginagawa niya, and he's very hardworking."
Wilbert's showbiz journey, typical of many who dream of making it big, is marked with highs and lows, and he had to work hard to land opportunities to further his career.
Read: Wilbert Ross at Nikko Natividad, nagbigay ng opinyon sa hipuan issue ni Apo Whang-od
The Davao del Sur native is familiar to many viewers because of his stints in Tawag Ng Tanghalan, Pinoy Boyband Superstar, and It's Showtime.
He was seen in the movies Hello, Love, Goodbye, Crush Kong Curly, and Stalkers. "I'm very happy kung ano yung na-achieve niya," says Veronique.
Read: Rewind ng DongYan, malapit nang maungusan ang worldwide gross ng Hello, Love, Goodbye ng KathDen
Wilbert serves as proof that long patience is rewarded with good fortune.
Veronique says Wilbert waited patiently for the right opportunities, believing his handlers would steer his career in the right direction.
"So, may value din talaga yung waiting game. Kasi minsan hindi naman yung first launch, may big break.
"Importante rin yun para sa isang artist. Importante na they're very patient and trust lang din sa management."
Nicole OMILLO
Add Nicole Omillo to the list of former music-group members who have ventured out to try their luck as solo artists.
Former Sugar & Spice member Nicole has been with Viva since 2015 and is now making headway as one of its promising talents.
And if the name rings a bell, it is because Nicole has been chosen to portray Basha, originated by no less than Bea Alonzo, in the stage adaptation of the romantic drama film One More Chance.
"It was on her own merit. Nag-audition siya, nakuha siya," Veronique says about Nicole's inclusion in the stage musical.
Read: Details you need to know about the One More Chance: The Musical
Nicole is multi-talented. As Veronique observes, Nicole was seen in the film Indak starring Nadine Lustre and Sam Concepcion and is brimming with potential.
She can sing, dance, and act. She also works hard to land those projects.
Veronique sums up Viva's sentiments: "She's proven na she's more than capable to handle different types of roles.
"Tiwala kami na she'll make it. Ngayon parang napapansin na siya. Maganda siya umarte. We believe that in time, Nicole will make it."
Read: Newbie actress Nicole Omillo, honored maging kontrabida ni Nadine Lustre
xia vigor
Is Xia Vigor the next big star? The former child star was the first winner of ABS-CBN's It's Showtime's "Mini Me 2" segment in 2015 and was seen in the movie Miracle in Cell No. 7 in 2019.
She is now being eyed by Viva as a cornerstone of their talent roster in the years ahead.
"Napakagaling na artista and now, ano siya, nagdadalaga. So, binibigyan namin siya ng workshops, ng mga projects para ma-hone yung craft niya," volunteers Veronique.
The British-Filipino Xia can also carry a tune, which boosts her marketability.
Veronique adds, "Malakas siya sa social media with her TikTok. So ayun, [siya] yung isa naming up-and-coming potential star."
Read: Ina ni Xia Vigor, hindi binubusog sa papuri ang teen actress
Viva is investing in Xia's training as she transitions from a kid to a teenager. This means Viva will assign Xia supporting roles, a move that it considers strategic in the plan to land her future lead roles.
"Important yung exposure din, e," says Veronique. "Yung may ginagawa sila para meron rin silang acting experience talaga."
AUBREY CARAAN
Next in line as lead star for Viva One's so-called "University Series" is former Pop Girls member Aubrey Caraan.
Will the youngest Pop Girl find the same success as former co-member Nadine Lustre? Viva certainly hopes so.
Veronique's reading is: "She's also been with us since she was very young. Ngayon, dalaga na siya. I think ngayon siya nag-bloom."
Aubrey is another full package: she acts, sings, and dances.
Currently, Viva is training her to hone her acting skills to better prepare her for television and movies.
BEA BINENE
Bea Binene as Viva's next best bet? Why not?
Although Bea is considered the most seasoned among the names mentioned, having been in the industry since 2004, Viva feels that the best is yet to come for the former Kapuso actress.
Bea signed a contract with Viva Artists Agency in 2022 after being affiliated with the GMA Network for 18 years.
Read: Bea Binene, "pinagpala" dahil may proyekto agad sa Viva
Viva wants Bea, who was part of The Rain in España, to take on roles and projects that are "edgy" and more appropriate for her age.
Bea will be seen in the upcoming supernatural horror film Nokturno, top-billed by Nadine Lustre. She is also part of the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean film Sunny.
Veronique says Viva is going in this direction for Bea: "Kasi, di ba, parang si Bea very wholesome? Yung parang mas teeny-bopper. So no more [of that]. Yun bang mas mapakita yung acting chops niya."
