This side of Southeast Asian Hollywood, we are all so used to titles bestowed to our supreme set of stars.
To prove this, we all know who are the ladies revered as the Superstar, Star For All Seasons, Diamond Star and the Megastar — the last four Philippine movie queens Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Maricel Soriano and Sharon Cuneta are the powerful femmes that carried the distinction.
The original Drama King is and will always be Christopher de Leon. The Forever Heartthrobs, a tie between Gabby Concepcion and Aga Muhlach.
Who is the Songbird, the Nightingale and the Phoenix? Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Lani Misalucha and Morisette Amon.
More stars, singers and other artists are given their respective titles that give premium, stellar status and predominance.
This reality of title giving is a giveaway of our fascination with monarchy, and what it represents — affluence, privilege, power, responsibility, royalty. Men and women in their ivory towers we all admire, treat as gods and goddesses, and yes, they are indeed different from you and me.
Top-tier royals
Offsprings of these major actors and actress are considered and embraced as Pinoy showbiz royals.
All of them followed this route: birth, innocent and wonder years shielded and protected, yes, but are all chronicled and documented.
When they follow the paths of their illustrious parents, what happens then, now and always — hounded, scrutinized, photographed, videoed and in this day and age of social media come all the bashing, hating and judgement. Yes, all these are part and parcel of the showbiz royal territory.
Topping the authentic showbiz royals list, number one is Kristina Cassandra Concepcion.
KC to those who adore and love her, the daughter of the Megastar Sharon Cuneta and forever heartthrob Gabby Concepcion hogged the headlines ever since she was a baby, a running tot, a ‘normal’ teen in Boston.
When she decided to be part of Pinoy Tinseltown, via the theater first and then mainstream entertainment, the daughter of Sharon and Gabriel experienced the joy and pitfalls of being on the radar and spotlight.
Adding more conflagration and sizzle to her showbiz royal stature, the publicized romances and heartbreaks, the quarrels and tampuhan (petty spat) with her mega-mother, the unbreakable bond and the unconditional love she has with her Papa Gabriel.
KC had her own share of success on TV and movies, endorsements, businesses and so much more.
Whatever achievements and triumphs she made, the nosey public perceives it as paling in comparison to the success of her parents, especially the mega feats of her mommy dearest.
After KC is, of course, Luis Philippe Manzano, son of Star For All Seasons Vilma Santos and dramatic/character actor Edu Manzano.
As a boy, we all know that he was the “I love you, Lucky!” farewell greeting of Santos in her VIP musical variety show. When he traipsed his way to showbiz, Lucky was a video jock at first, leading man in drama and comedy films and TV shows, was John Lloyd Cruz’s lover in the movie, In My Life.
Manzano also had his lion’s share of intrigues that includes questions about his sexual orientation and preference, romances that went pffft, a business that went sour and almost being a bachelor forever.
He has found his niche, as the game show host and master, and has become one of the most important male figures that top brands trust.
Coming in as third on the top-tier spot is the son of Superstar Nora Aunor and Drama King Christopher de Leon. Ian de Leon had his taste of success as a loveteam of Donna Cruz. He laughs like his father, has the skin tone and cinematic eyes of his National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts mother, and had the opportunity to be cast in lead and supporting roles on TV and other motion pictures.
Ian’s star did not have the staying power of a KC and Luis, as being a private citizen and having as top priority is his being a family man.
The Diamond Star’s children, her two grown boys now, Marron Soriano and Sebastien Soriano, stayed away from the entertainment business.
The new royals
The most visible Pinoy showbiz royals of late, who show so much promise and stellar quality, are the Muhlach wonder twins, Andres and Atasha, children of premiere matinee idol Aga Muhlach and 1994 Miss Universe Top 6 finalist, Charlene Gonzales.
The Muhlach twins are currently into modeling, TV hosting (for Atasha) and will star in a situational comedy show with their parents soonest.
The future and the present of Andres and Atasha are extremely bright.
Why we will forever be curious of Pinoy royals is the fact that, since they are the offsprings of our idols, we give them the same admiration and adulation, love and respect. At the same time, we treat them as “blood,” distant nieces or nephews, cousins and kin, who we always wish to experience and have the best things that life has to offer, and we are all mindful and protective of them.
For us long as there are movie and TV kings and queens, the Pinoy Showbiz Royals reign and support are for real and forever.