Jeric Gonzales, Thea Tolentino hailed as 'Protege' winners

It's a back-to-back celebration for South Luzon as two contestants from Laguna -- Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino -- were hailed as the grand winners of GMA's biggest and grandest artista search, "Protege: The Battle For The Big Artista Break," during its live finale held on Sunday at the GMA Network Studios.

Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino- Protege 2012 Winner

The two winners bagged a grand prize package worth P12 million consisting of a cash prize of P1 million each from SM Supermalls, a five-year talent management contract with GMA Artist Center and a two-bedroom condominium unit (for each winner) from Suntrust Properties, Inc.  Additionally, all six finalists (including the winners) received a four-year scholarship grant from STI Colleges.

Showdown for survival between mentors and protégés this Sunday

This Sunday (September 16), the five celebrity mentors and their respective protégés join on stage and perform together for a showdown for survival!

North and Central Luzon mentor Ricky Davao and protégés Shelly Hipolito and Bryan Benedict star in an action sequence. Bryan plays the hero captured and tortured by his godfather Ricky while Shelly is Bryan's love interest.

Mega Manila mentor Roderick Paulate plays a modern-day family man who copes with his dysfunctional relationship with a gay son played by Japs de Luna and a lesbian daughter played by Elle Ramirez.

South Luzon mentor Gina Alajar together with protégés Thea Tolentino and Zandra Summer play a family of modern-day witches who resort to witchcraft in order to win the heart of the man loved by Zandra and Thea.

In a fictional and humorous short film, Visayas mentor Jolina Magdangal and her protégés Jeric Gonzales and Mikoy Morales star as boyband wannabes who use the power of a mysterious necklace called Kuwintas ng Kasikatan to fulfill their dreams.

Mindanao mentor Phillip Salvador joins protégés Ruru Madrid and Arny Ross in a story about an older guy (Philip) falling for a younger woman (Arny) pursued by a younger man (Ruru).

Can Bryan and Shelly overcome their recent rift and perform to the best of their abilities in front of the judges?

Will Japs' feeling of insecurity towards his former mentor Ricky affect his performance now that he is under Mentor Roderick?

Another surprising elimination awaits the Final 10! And one will be sent home!

Catch Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break's 4th Elimination Night this Sunday at 8:30pm after IBilib on GMA!

Apple, Glenn, Mitch, Mykel, Kelly eliminated from Protege

The bottom two proteges from each of the five protege teams were given their last chance to prove to their mentors that they deserve to retain their places in the competition. In the end, five proteges were saved, while the other five left the competition for good.

Japs de Luna (N. and C. Luzon), Zandra Summer (Visayas), Vien Alen King (Mega Manila), Arny Ross (South Luzon) and Ruru Madrid (Mindanao) have another reason to thank their mentors because they were the ones saved this week, while Glenn Roy (N. and C. Luzon), Mitch Capili (Visayas), Kelly D (Mega Manila), Mykel Ong (Southern Luzon) and Apple Vega (Mindanao) will have to face the bitter truth of being evicted from the competition.

Battle for Survival unfolds in Protégé's first elimination night this Sunday

After the nerve-wracking announcement of the Bottom 10 during the first battle night, the showdown for survival will happen this Sunday (August 19) as the ten protégés will perform on stage for a talent face-off against their own teammate.

One of the biggest events in the competition will unfold in the first elimination night as five of the 10 protégés will leave the battle stage at the end of the show. Two protégés from each region will clash for a spot in the Top 15.

Interview with Steffi Pacheco of Protege

When Mindanao protégé Steffi Pacheco walked down the stage during the Top 20 Protégé presentation last Sunday, she did so with the confidence and projection of a supermodel.

Interview with Ruru Madrid

Ruru Madrid, at 14, is one of the youngest among the Top 20 Proteges. Although he and his family are now living in Marikina City, Ruru is representing his home province of Zamboanga City in Mindanao.

How did you know about Protégé?

“May mga nagsabi po kasi sa akin na may auditions nga daw po para sa Protégé. Sabi po nila subukan ko raw po dahil baka malaki ang chance ko na makapasok. Nasa school po ako nung ginawa ang audition tapos nagpaalam po ako na mag-o-audition.”

Jolina admits Marvin came close to becoming her boyfriend, reveals other 'almosts'

During her recent Live Chat session via GMA Network's website GMANetwork.com, singer-actress and soon-to-be Protege mentor Jolina Magdangal revealed that her long-time "reel life" partner Marvin Agustin came close to becoming her boyfriend.

Jolina didn't escape Marvin-related questions sent online by die-hard fans of the Marvin Agustin - Jolina Magdangal love team, which had its roots in their teenage days.

According to Jolina, among those who were paired with her in past projects, Marvin Agustin was the one who came closest to becoming her boyfriend. Although she clarified that they never became real-life lovers.

Jolina also revealed other male stars who made "paramdam" to her when she was younger. Among them were Victor Neri, Onemig Bondoc and Gio Alvarez.

When Jolina and boyfriend Mark Escueta got married in November 2011, Marvin Agustin -- according to Jolina -- was invited but he was not able to attend the ceremonies. Jolina until now does not know why Marvin didn't attend her wedding. But if fans of their long-ago-defunct love team are thinking that the reason is because Marvin is still hurting, they are most probably wrong. Marvin and Jolina have long ago moved on from their love team.

Slumbook questions

During the Live Chat, Jolina was also asked several slumbook-type questions, which she eagerly answered. Here are some of those questions (with her answers):

1. Favorite song?

"I'm in love with you." This is one of the songs sung during her wedding.

2. Stars she wants to work with in a film/TV project (again)?

Vilma Santos, Dolphy, Maricel Soriano and Roderick Paulate (in a dramatic role)

3. If you are given a chance to become a superhero, what kind of power would you choose to have?

Gusto ko yung nakakapagbigay or nakakapag-extend ako ng buhay ng isang tao. At kung sakali man gusto kong bigyan ng chance pang mabuhay lalo na yung mga namatay sa aksidente.

4. Most beautiful stars?

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes

5. Favorite Snack Food?

Isaw at Fishball

6. Favorite show?

Personalan. Gustung-gusto ko kasing pinapanood every episode na hino-host ko kasi gusto kong makita kung paano ko na-hahandle yung buong episode.

7. Favorite Movie?

The Notebook

8. Favorite Cartoon Character?

Hello Kitty

9. Favorite Place?

Memory Lane (her Family's restaurant) in Tagaytay.

10. Unforgettable childhood memory?

Noong elementary pa ako. Tinakasan ko yung guard ng school namin kasi gusto ko nang umuwi. Tapos naaalala ko noon nakikinood ako ng TV sa kapit-bahay namin kasi yung TV nila colored samantalang yung sa amin ay black-and-white lang.

Watch Jolina Magdangal on weekday afternoons in "My Daddy Dearest" (5:30pm on GMA-7) and weeknights in "Personalan" (7:30pm on GMA News TV Channel 11). Also, Jolina is one of the mentors in GMA-7's upcoming artist search "Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break" airing this August.

GMA Network begins nationwide auditions for Protégé

GMA Network's all-original talent search, Protégé -- is back with an exciting twist!

Jennylyn Mercado

Beginning this Saturday, May 26, Protégé opens its doors to all artista aspirants who want to bare their dreams in the biggest platform to stardom via PROTÉGÉ: The Battle for the Big ARTISTA Break!

Another premium creation of the GMA Entertainment TV Group, PROTÉGÉ: The Battle for the Big ARTISTA Break aims to discover fresh and promising talents all over the archipelago who will soon become the network's next batch of television sensations.

Dingdong Dantes

The competition is open to all male and female Filipinos, 13-21 years old, with a unique and striking personality, compelling story to tell, immense likeability factor, and with "artista" looks. Filipinos who are born and/or currently residing abroad are also encouraged to join the artista search provided they must go to the key venues on the respective audition dates with the complete requirements.

Carla Abellana

The nationwide auditions will be held on the following dates and venues: SM Naga (May 26); SM Baguio (May 26); SM San Pablo (May 26); SM Bacolod (June 1); SM Cagayan de Oro (June 1); SM Iloilo (June 2); SM Davao (June 2); SM Cebu (June 7); Capitol Grounds, Laoag, Ilocos Norte (June 9); SM Sucat (June 10); SM Batangas (June 14); SM Pampanga (June 16) and SM Mall of Asia (June 20 and 21). Auditions will be from 10am- 6pm.

Aspirants need to bring the original and photocopy of their birth certificate and two recent photos (1 close-up and 1 full body shot). Those who are below 18 years will also need a written consent from their parents together with the original and photocopy of their parent's valid ID in order to qualify for the auditions.

Interested applicants can also visit the website www.gmanetwork.com for more information on the audition dates and requirements.

They need to prepare at least two 2-minute performances for the audition (sing, dance, rap, beat box, act, play musical instruments, or any extraordinary performances). Contenders are encouraged to be in their most impressive outfits.

PROTÉGÉ: The Battle for the Big ARTISTA Break will be hosted by multi-awarded Kapuso star Dingdong Dantes as the Gala Presenter and versatile actress Carla Abellana as the Journey Host. Jennylyn Mercado returns as the host of Inside Protégé while Maxene Magalona is the Web Jock for the daily updates in Protégé Webisodes.