All eyes are on 16-year-old Sarah Lahbati in this year’s “StarStruck V,” GMA-7’s reality-TV-based “artista search.”

During the formal press launch of the Final 14 of “StarStruck V” recently, the half-Pinay, half-Morocan Swiss citizen was tagged by all of the six female finalists as their biggest competitor in the show. They have described her as having talent, beauty and the right height. Sarah stands 5’8.”

“Nakakataba po ng puso ang mga narinig ko na ‘yun,” she expressed fluently in Tagalog. “Pero hindi dahil sa mga sinabi nila na puputok na ulo ko. I always put in my mind that I have to stay humble katulad ng sinabi ni Ms. Iza Calzado, ‘let your head fly but keep your feet on the ground.’ Importante po sa isang tao ang maging humble.”

The six female finalists who praised her were Diva Montelaba, Finaca Cruz, Pincess Snell, Rox Montealegre, Nina Kodaka and Zeryl Lim.

Sarah added that she is aware that she still has to prove herself, work hard and pass the “artista” tests in the weeks to come if she wants to become the female StarStruck Survivor. More than the challenges ahead of her, she also has to get the thumbs-up or approval of the StarStruck’s council composed of director Floy Quintos, Iza Calzado and talent manager and showbiz talk show host Lolit Solis.

This year’s mentors are Abbygale Arenas for imaging, Gina Alajar for acting, Douglas Nieras for dancing, Jai Sabas-Aracama for singing and Barbi Chan for make-up and styling.

“First of all, I leave my future at the hands of God. Hinahayaan ko Siyang gawin ‘yung dapat pero hindi lahat Siya. Siyempre I have to do my best din. This is a competition and I also have to compete with myself. I have to be a better me, gagawin ko ‘yung pwede kong gawin. I will do my best,” she remarked.

So how did she join “StarStruck V” and end up as a Final 14 finalist?

According to Sarah, she was in the Philippines this year for a vacation and for her first Evangelical Concert. In Switzerland, like her family, she’s been actively singing for her church and joining prayer meetings.

“When we were here, I decided to stay and audition for ‘StarStruck V.’ I didn’t expect that I would make it this far. And I’m thankful to God for this wonderful opportunity,” she said.

In Switzerland, Sarah has been doing fashion modeling for different brands like Zara and American Eagle. Though modeling throughout Europe is an open possibility for the youngster, she said she’d rather try her luck in the Philippines.

So why did a goody-two-shoes Christian lady like her join showbiz that’s filled with “temptations?”

“This is what I like. I really like to be an actress and it’s not just for the fame and money. I want to act and sing. Gusto kong ipahayag sa mga manunuod kung anong meron po ako. Gusto kong umuwi na ang parents ko na nag-wowork sa Switzerland para mag-stay na kami all together here in the Philippines… kung ito po talaga ang gusto ko, nandito ako because it’s God’s plan. And I know God wants me here. I just keep on believing,” she replied.

What made her decision to stay in the Philippines and enter showbiz easier was the full support she has gotten from her parents. Her parents have known since she was little that she has always wanted to be an actress someday. And when the opportunity presented itself, they let her go and stay in the country.

“I know that they are very happy that I became one of the finalists… I just have to do a lot of adjustments because we’ve been working hard all the time. Since I’m alone here, I have to be mature and responsible. For example sa Switzerland sobrang chill lang ako and madali lang ang buhay. Dito mag-isa ako and I have to take care of myself so I have to be very responsible,” described Sarah.

She also knows that she has traded-off an already good life in Switzerland to a life of uncertainty as she tries to fulfill her dreams of becoming an actress or even a singer in the Philippines. She also feels fortunate that becoming a finalist means that she will be given the right tools to be an actress or singer from the workshops and challenges “StarStruck V” has prepared for them. And for Sarah, she wouldn’t mind doing everything to accomplish her goals of showing her talent as an actress even if there’s a “kissing scene” involved.

“Kung ito po talaga ang gusto ko, minsan kailangang mag take ng risk. Kung meron mang ganun gagawin ko yun pero without malice. Work kung work,” she quipped.

But what if she gets eliminated?

“It doesn’t mean that if I get eliminated I’d give up my dreams. Hindi yun end of the world. I have to continue to pursue my dreams and I will do my best to make it as an actress,” she declared.

That said, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the determined Sarah Lahbati be the actress she wants to be soon as she is a “StarStruck” finalist ON THE RISE!

(Sarah Lahbati turned 16 last Oct. 9.)