Sparkle GMA Artist Center

Sparkle (stylized in all caps, formerly known as GMA Artist Center, also formally as GMA Talent Development and Management Department and Sparkle GMA Artist Center) is the talent agency owned by GMA Network Inc. based in Quezon City, Philippines that was founded on August 12, 1995.^[1][2]

Sparkle

Logo used since 2022
Formerly	GMA Artist Center (1995–2021)
Company type	Division
Industry	Talent agency
Founded	August 12, 1995; 29 years ago (1995-08-12)
Headquarters	Quezon City , Philippines
Area served	Nationwide (Metro Manila and suburbs)
Key people	Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes (SVP for Talent Management) Joy C. Marcelo (first vice president for Sparkle, GMA Artist Center) Tracy Garcia (Senior Talent Manager) Johnny Manahan (Consultant)
Products	Music & entertainment
Services	Talent management
Parent	GMA Network Inc.
Website	www.gmanetwork.com/sparkle

History

GMA Artist Center

GMA Artist Center or GMAAC conducted several auditions prior to launching its first batch of talents in 1998. It also launched the "Metropop Star Search" from 1996 to 1998 where winners automatically became part of GMAAC. It was originally headed by veteran talent manager Wyngard Tracy until 2000. When Felipe Gozon took over as GMA Network's president and CEO in 2000, the Artist Center was placed under the network's Entertainment Division led by Wilma Galvante. In 2003, GMAAC hired Ida Henares as their newest head. Under her leadership, GMAAC launched the reality artista search Starstruck which became the main launching pad for most star hopefuls since then.^[3] In 2007, GMA Artist Center invoked the exclusivity clause. For 2011, GMA Artist Center's slogan was "Making Stars Shine".

In 2013, Henares retired from her position. In 2014, Simoun Ferrer and Gigi Santiago-Lara became the new heads of GMAAC. During their tenure until present day, GMAAC experienced growth and increased popularity, with most of its artists being given recognition here and abroad. On July 13, 2021, former Star Magic Chairman Emeritus Johnny Manahan signed up as GMAAC consultant.^[4] On September 5, 2021, GMAAC organized "Signed for Stardom", a digital multi-platform event where current and new talents were signed up and introduced to the public.^[5]

GMAAC provides models for various endorsements, actors for film projects of Philippine television and film industry; and singers for GMA Music.

Sparkle

On December 31, 2021, during GMA Network's New Year's Eve special, it was announced that the agency had been renamed "Sparkle": the rebranding was stated to be an effort to "reinvigorate" the agency.^[6][7] It also launched its theme song, "Let It Spark", which is sung by Psalms David, XOXO, and Thea Astley, on February 8, 2022.^[8] Senior Vice President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes was appointed as the Head of Sparkle.^[9]

Batches

Sparkle Era

Sparkle's Next Brightest Stars of 2022

Along with the launch in 2022, Sparkle reintroduced 8 artists from its roster, dubbed as the "Sparkle's Next Brightest Stars".^[10][11]

• Bianca Umali
• Ysabel Ortega
• Gabbi Garcia
• Sanya Lopez
• Khalil Ramos
• Derrick Monasterio
• Miguel Tanfelix
• Ruru Madrid

Sparkle Sweethearts

In February 2022, 5 pairs of new and existing young love teams were launched as the "Sparkle Sweethearts".^[12][13][14]

• Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi (until 2023)
• Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay
• Althea Ablan and Bruce Roeland (until 2022)
• Shayne Sava and Abdul Raman
• Zonia Mejia and Jamir Zabarte

Sparkada

In April 2022, Sparkle first introduced onscreen a new roster of talents, collectively named as the "Sparkada", on the weekly variety show, All-Out Sundays.^[15] The group consists of 17 young artists.^[16]

• Caitlyn Stave
• Vanessa Pena
• Roxie Smith
• Dilek Montemayor
• Kirsten Gonzales
• Cheska Fausto
• Lauren King
• Tanya Ramos
• Vince Maristela
• Raheel Bhyria
• Larkin Castor
• Jeff Moses
• Sean Lucas
• Saviour Ramos
• Kim Perez
• Anjay Anson
• Michael Sager

Sparkle Teens

In April 2023, a new batch of 19 teenage artists debuted as the "Sparkle Teens".^[17][18][19] Prior to their launch, the batch originally had 20 talents, until the death of one of the members, Andrei Sison, due to a vehicular accident in March 2023.^[20][21]

• Charlie Fleming
• Ashley Sarmiento
• Keisha Serna
• Gaea Mischa
• Selina Griffin
• Naomi Park
• Liana Mae
• Aya Domingo
• Princess Aliyah
• John Clifford
• Lee Victor
• James Graham
• Anton Vinzon
• Aidan Veneracion
• Josh Ford
• Bryce Eusebio
• Marco Masa
• Zyren Dela Cruz
• Waynona Collings
• Andrei Sison† (deceased)

Sparkle 10

On the peek before Valentine's Day, Sparkle introduced and showcased 10 Young, Current and Upcoming Actresses, collectively named as the "Sparkle 10".

• Faith da Silva
• Rabiya Mateo
• Ashley Ortega
• Lianne Valentin
• Shuvee Etrata
• Lexi Gonzales
• Angel Guardian
• Liezel Lopez
• Kate Valdez
• Elle Villanueva

Sparkle Boys of Summer

In April 16, 2024, On the Peek this Summer. The blazing summer heat just got hotter with Sparkle GMA Artist Center's recently released summer campaign video, which features the "Sparkle Boys of Summer".

• Vince Maristela
• Raheel Bhyria
• Kelvin Miranda
• Bruce Roeland
• Radson Flores
• Royce Cabrera
• Prince Carlos
• Matthew Uy
• Yasser Marta
• Dustin Yu
• Jeff Moses
• Mclaude Guadaña

Status by Sparkle

References

1. "GMAAC: The task of building up stars". Philstar.com. September 6, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
2. Pinlac, Beatrice. "The future is 'Sparkle': GMA Artist Center reveals new name, new look". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
3. "18 StarStruck graduates who remained loyal to GMA-7". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
4. "Johnny Manahan signs with GMA Artist Center". Rappler. July 13, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
5. Eusebio, Aaron Brennt. "It's official: Johnny Manahan signs with GMA Artist Center". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
6. Malig, Kaela. "Mr. M reveals story behind GMA Artist Center's new look and name 'Sparkle'". GMA News Online. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
7. "GMA Artist Center starts 2022 brighter with new look and name: 'Sparkle'". Manila Bulletin. January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
8. Aquino, Maine. "Sparkle's theme song 'Let It Spark' will be released this February". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
9. "Sparkling on its first year". Malaya Business Insight. January 25, 2023. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
10. Pinlac, Beatrice (January 14, 2022). "Introducing Sparkle's Next Brightest Stars for 2022". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
11. "Sparkle unveils its 'Next Brightest Stars for 2022'". www.gmanetwork.com. January 14, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
12. Donato, Jerry (March 3, 2022). "New Kapuso pairings to brighten up the small screen". Philstar.com. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
13. Alpad, Christina (March 1, 2022). "New sweethearts 'Sparkle' on screen". The Manila Times. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
14. "Sparkle sweethearts". malaya.com.ph. February 20, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
15. Wang, Nickie, ed. (May 1, 2022). "Introducing Sparkle's 'Sparkada'". Manila Standard Sunday. Vol. 36, no. 80. p. 3B. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
16. "Sparkada members all aglow for GMA Gala". The Manila Times. Vol. 123, no. 293. July 30, 2022. p. B12. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
17. Aquino, Maine. "Sparkle gives first look of Sparkle Teens". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
18. "These Sparkle Teens will be your newest artista faves". Manila Bulletin. April 19, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
19. Aquino, Maine. "Sparkle Teens shine bright at their grand media conference". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
20. Calucin, Diann Ivy C (March 25, 2023). "Teen actor, 2 others die in QC car crash". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 20, 2023.
21. Rula, Gorgy; et al. "Launching ng Sparkle Teens, tuloy sa kabila ng pagkamatay ni Andrei Sison" [Launching of Sparkle Teens pushes through despite death of Andrei Sison]. PEP.ph. Retrieved April 20, 2023.

External links

• Official website