Sarah Geronimo did not have a hard time answering when asked about the young local acts and artists she currently admires.
Read: Sarah Geronimo: The Evolution of a Genuine Talent
This seems to prove that while the country’s Popstar Royalty is not as visible as before, she is very much updated with the current generation’s in-demand performers.
And when we say performers, we refer to music artists who, like Sarah, can sing and dance at the same time when performing.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) last May 22, 2024, Sarah was asked about young performers who caught her attention.
“Ah, na-amaze ako sa galing ng BINI and SB19,” Sarah answers.
Coincidentally, BINI (all-female girl group that has eight members) and SB19 (all-male boy group that has five members) are considered to be the most popular groups in the local music scene today.
Read: SB19, BINI hailed for their "inspirational" stories
These two group of artists are the current music sensations with a huge following that consists of a younger audience.
Sarah agrees, “Magaling talaga sila. Uhm, ang BINI, hindi ko pa sila napanood [nang live]…
“Yung SB19, oo, nakita ko sila sa, Billboard po.”
Sarah with other local female artists were honored at the 1st Billboard Philippines Women in Music Awards last March 22, 2024.
Sarah, who was awarded Woman of the Year, shared the stage with fellow female artist awardees, including BINI, which bagged the Rising Stars award.
On the other hand, the singer-actress beamed when she talked about her past collaboration with SB19.
“But, SB19, nakatrabaho ko na kasi sila. And kita ko talaga yung, vocally, lahat… galaw nila, in sync lahat.
“Talagang alam mong binigyan ng panahon to really hone yung kanila pong talento. Nakaka-amaze. Ang galing po.”
Sarah collaborated with the boy group for a song in 2023, for an electronics and computer hardware brand that they are endorsing.
Sarah also mentioned another talented young performer who is being compared to her.
Talking to Sarah, PEP.ph quips that she remains to be admired by the young generation of singers and performers.
She then replies, “Hindi ko nga alam sa kanila. Ako yung na-amaze sa kanila.
“And sometimes, pag pinapanood ko sila, si Sheena [Belarmino], yung sinasabi nila na parang magkahawig daw kami. Sabi ko, ‘Ang galing netong batang ‘to,’ even si Sheena.”
Sheena became a grand finalist in "Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids" in 2017 on It's Showtime and is now an ABS-CBN singer-dancer.
“Sobrang galing. Ang galing-galing gumalaw, ang galing-galing kumanta,” Sarah continues.
“Yun yung gusto kong excellence.
“But, iba-iba naman kami. So, maraming salamat sa inspiration. Thank you sa appreciation.”
DOES SARAH FEEL THREATENED BY YOUNGER ARTISTS?
Sarah, 35, was then asked if she feels threatened by the younger artists.
“Hindi po siya threatened, e. It’s inspired,” she responds.
“Inspired and challenged ako kasi personality ko, I want to be effective in my job. Yung pera na nilalabas ng tao to see me perform, ayokong sabihin nila ‘Sayang yung binayad namin.’
“Gusto ko, pagkatapos nila ako mapanood… ‘Grabe, sulit, yung bayad natin ng tickets!’ Yung talagang mapasaya ko.
“So, seeing these great, these young, excellent performers now, na-inspire ako at na-challenge ako, sa totoo lang."
She adds, “Alam mo, kung meron pa ako may improve sa sarili ko, I'm willing to do it.”