For fame, power and influence – who wouldn’t want to be in the realm of show business? Some even take risks just to be in it.

There are many ways to get to showbiz. Some make ends meet by joining artista searches. Some indulge themselves in commercials; grab minor roles in TV, films, etc. At the height of all these, what’s important is pure talent, alongside with a good managing company.

Recently, Viva Artist Agency (VAA) launched its latest roster of talents – not all are fresh faces, but fresh in the sense of what new they can offer to the public.
 
JAMILLA OBISPO

We have known Jamilla Obispo from the “Pinoy Big Brother” teen edition. She was also one of FHM covergirls (May 2007). At 18, she already had a son, but this didn’t hinder her from pursuing her career. She is now 22 years old and is taking up Interior Design at the Philippine School of International Design (PSID).

After her PBB stint, she had two fruitful years with Star Magic, after which she had to stop because of her studies. Now that she’s back as a VAA talent, Jamilla likes to focus more on her acting craft. She confessed she wants “sexy kontrabida” roles in the future and wants to be paired with Coco Martin.

Jamilla admitted that as of now, she has zero love life. Even though, she stressed, that she is happy with what is going on with her career and that “suwertihan lang naman ang career.” She actually has a movie project in progress.

Apart from showbiz, Jamilla also indulges herself into business, “para may pampaaral ako.” She owns Artista Salon and plans to put up another branch. She also busies herself with her Tanduay shows. She is also now a Calayan endorser, who will grace a billboard soon.

MARISSA MARISTELA TOLENTINO

This 18-year-old lady is the younger sister of Dance Diva Regine Tolentino. “I can dance but not like my sister. We cannot question that,” she remarked.

Marissa Maristela Tolentino is a 2nd year Marketing student, young as she may seem but she looks tall for her age. She wants to have her own mark, not to be known because of her sister.

She confidently says that she believes in her acting. “I can sing if I have to. I like singing but acting talaga is my passion. I really want to be an actress,” she expressed.

BIBOY RAMIREZ

Biboy Ramirez is not a newbie in the industry. He was first discovered in his Goldilocks commercial and has been a talent in ABS-CBN (1997-1998) and then in GMAAC (1998-2006). He was last seen in “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan” aired last year in GMA.

Now that his contract with GMAAC has expired, a new Biboy Ramirez will be seen now that he is with Viva – this he assured. “I’ll offer mature roles this time, but not sexy. Mature. More on drama din ako ngayon,” this 28-year-old actor said.

Not everyone knew that Biboy’s relationship with Jackie Rice lasted for almost two years, but ended just last year. He admitted that love life is one of the reasons why his career went down. “All-out kasi ako ’pag in love.”

He denied allegations that the reason why he transferred to Viva is because of having conflicts with GMAAC. “Naging OK naman ang career ko with GMA. Ang laki-laki ng utang na loob ko sa GMA. Sila nagbigay ng pangalan sa akin. Yun lang talaga nawalan ng nagma-manage sa akin,” he related adding that he was co-managed before in GMA and that his former manager committed suicide.

With his career, he still thinks positive about it. “Kailangan ko maniwala na uusad pa ang career ko. Kasi when I look back, di ko pa na-reach yung peak ko e. Hilaw pa yung dati. Iba ngayon,” he concluded.

KIRBY DE JESUS

Also from GMAAC, former “Starstruck 2” avenger Kirby De Jesus is now with Viva. His last shows were “Zorro” (Richard Gutierrez) and “All My Life” (Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal). His biggest role to date was when he portrayed a gay role in the indie film “Paupahan.” “For me, okay lang naman ang gumanap na bading. Dapat versatile ka. I can also do sexy roles if needed talaga,” he said.

Kirby expects more “breaks” for him now that he is with Viva. “I expect more shows para mapakita ko pa yung more talents ko,” the 20-year-old actor expressed.

Even before entering showbiz, Kirby is already into dancing. He does out of town shows sometimes but what keeps him busy for the past three months (according to him he was broken-hearted with someone from the other network) is his work as a PR manager for night bars and clubs.

Because of being occupied, Kirby admitted that he’s not yet stepping into college. “Ang akin, wala namang age limit ang pag-aaral. As long as may opportunity ako ngayon, grab lang ng grab,” he opined, stressing he would like to take up Accountancy in the future, but now, focuses on helping his family. “Ever since my father left us, ako yung sumalo ng lahat ng responsibilidad niya,” he related.

JAY PERILLO

Half-Chinese, half-Filipino Jay Perillo is no new to showbiz, being a former VAA talent before even getting to “Are You The Next Big Star?” He also joined “Star In A Million” Season 3 in 2005. He was also in the cast of “Bituing Walang Ningning” in ABS-CBN. He renewed another five-year contract to Viva so as to continue his blossoming career.

Apart from singing, Jay will also try acting and dancing. In fact, Jay shared the good news of having a movie project with Aga Muhlach and Regine Velasquez with “Of All The Things” as the working title. He will also soon release his own album and a regular show in GMA is in progress.

Jay is now 21 years old and declares she has no girlfriend. “Focus lang po muna ako sa career ko. Ayoko magulo ang utak ko,” he said. He hasn’t stepped yet in college but would take up Conservatory of Music so as to broaden more his musicality.