Kim Chiu and Yeng Constantino not threatened by new batch of PBB Teens and PDA Dreamers

Not too long ago, a young Chinese-Cebuana and a native of Rizal both dreamed of making it big in the world of showbiz and music, respectively. Today, Kim Chiu and Yeng Constantino can proudly say that dreams do come true.



Yesterday, March 7, ABS-CBN formally launched the start of the reality programs targeting the youth of today. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus has started giving away 30 Dream Keys to teenagers all over the country. These coveted items signify that they have the chance to enter the PBB house once they surpass all the challenges posed by Big Brother. The 30 short listed candidates will be trimmed down until the 12 tenants of PBB Teen Edition Plus will be revealed.


If you're wondering why there's a Plus at the end of the title of the show, it refers to the addition of a new host—Luis Manzano. He will be hosting the latest edition of PBB along with Toni Gonzaga, Mariel Rodriguez, and Bianca Gonzalez.



On the other hand, Pinoy Dream Academy is sporting a new logo and expecting a new set of aspiring singers who will be given the opportunity to train under talented singers and develop their vocal skills inside the Academy. It will be headed by a new Headmaster in the person of Ryan Cayabyab, who replaces Jim Paredes.



Now that a new batch of dreamers will be joining the same contest that gave them fame and success, do Kim and Yeng feel threatened by the impending competition?



Yeng answered by saying that it is up to her to ensure her staying power in the industry.



"Dapat nga po maging masaya kami na may bagong kabataan na katulad namin na nangarap. Alam namin ang pakiramdam nun, kung paano sila nag-aspire at sila naman yung magkakaroon ng time kasi nakuha na namin yung gusto namin. Nasa part na po namin kung paano kami mag-i-istay.



"Time naman po nila para tuparin yung pangarap nila. Dapat po talaga masaya kami," said Yeng.



For her part, Kim says, "Lahat naman po ng tao may sariling chance sa buhay kung magiging artista sila. May kanya-kanyang chance ang tao."



HUMBLE BEGINNINGS. Jilmer Dy recalls the reasons why Kim stood out during the auditions of the reality TV show. "Si Kim kasi sobrang natural. Noong umakyat siya sa stage, kinukurot daw niya yung pisngi niya kasi hindi siya naka makeup...gusto niyang magmukhang naka-blush on. Natural lang, kapag kailangang ngumiti, ngumingiti siya. Kung ano yung nakita namin noon, yun din yung nakikita ngayon.



"Saka nakikita mo yung sparkle ‘pag umakyat na siya onstage, no matter how raw, may gut feel ka. Parang itong taong ito would be good TV material," says the senior story editor of PBB Teen Edition Plus.



As for Yeng, she says that she had an embarrassing moment when she auditioned for PDA. "'Di ko talaga malilimutan ang audition ko kasi, di ba, hindi pa pinatapos ni Direk [Lauren Dyogi of PDA] yung kanta ko 'tapos sabi niya lang ‘thank you.' E, ako naman sabi ko, ‘thank you lang po? Ganun lang po?'



"Natawa lang siya and ayun, pinapirma ako [sa registration]. Kung di ko ginawa yun, siguro hindi ako natanggap," says the singer-songwriter.



The future looks especially bright for these two female stars especially since Kim has been chosen to star in the Filipino remake of the hit Korean Tv series My Girl. The Chinese-Cebuana will also star with Gerald Anderson in Claudine Barretto's comeback TV series Maligno.



Yeng, on the other hand, has just released her second album titled Journey and is expected to join the cast of the youth-oriented show Astigs. She has been taking up acting workshops to prepare her for more challenging roles.