Star Magic, the country’s biggest and premier talent management agency, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. And its exciting lineup of activities, events, and collaborations was announced during the recent Kapamilya Strong 2022 event, where nine Star Magic artists renewed their contracts with ABS-CBN.

Along with the milestone of Star Magic, artists Jolina Magdangal, Zanjoe Marudo, Sam Milby, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca, Shaina Magdayao, Erich Gonzales, Loisa Andalio, and Ronnie Alonte are starting yet another chapter with the network through this contract renewal.

Considering the pandemic and all the challenges ABS-CBN has been through recently, these Star Magic artists cannot help but express their gratitude for having been given the opportunity to once again entertain, delight, and inspire audiences from different parts of the world, and keep doing what they love.

As Robi Domingo, the Kapamilya Strong 2022 event host and a Star Magic talent himself said, these artists are one with ABS-CBN and “part of this shared mission to be in the service of the Filipino worldwide.”

During the presentation at their media conference, Star Magic emphasized their commitment to continue discovering new faces, developing raw talent, training personalities to become multifaceted artists and responsible individuals to watch for, and “waving its wand in forming a constellation of the brightest stars.”

“We all dream together to nurture the best Filipino artists and performers we can all be truly proud of,” said Star Magic head Direk Laurenti Dyogi. And that’s what the talent management agency is dedicating itself to more so this 2022.

Star Magic has branched out to different ventures, like Star Magic Studio and Star Magic Records, and collaborated with other brands and managers in its goal of expanding to uncharted territories and creating a diverse roster of world-class talents. Be it through strengthening its artists’ skills in traditional means, establishing their presence in digital platforms, or bringing them to a global stage, the people behind Star Magic are passionate about serving as these artists’ guiding light.

“Star Magic is always growing, innovating, and initiating projects that hone artist skill and highlight the relevance in the industry,” said Star Magic manager Love Capulong. To which, Star Magic manager Monch Novales added, “We have also signed agreements with several third parties [such as Kumu and YouTube], to give our artists more platforms, to showcase and enhance their talents.”

Zanjoe Marudo, Ronnie Alonte, Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Jake Cuenca, Sam Milby, and Gerald Anderson Photo by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands

As they mark their 30th year, Star Magic is all about “going beyond.” Beyond the traditional, because their artists are highly visible and in-demand not just on mainstream media but also on digital. Beyond the stereotypes, because their diverse roster of actors, performers, and influencers caters to various audiences through various platforms. Beyond the boundaries, because their talents are no longer just local household names, they have also made waves in the international scene. Beyond the stars, because these Star Magic artists are much more than their star power, they also seek to become positive influencers on all platforms, who use their voices responsibly.

Among the biggest events and collaborations of Star Magic this year that everyone must look forward to are the return of the All-Star Games / Sports Fest and the Star Magic Ball (in collaboration with Creative Programs, Inc.). There’s a new Star Magic catalogue, website, and lineup of international projects to look forward to. What’s more, Metro will gather some of Star Magic’s biggest and brightest stars again in one powerful anniversary cover.

Direk Lauren shared, “Imagine what we were doing during the pandemic at the time na talagang gipit, and now that we’re slowly, tumatayo tayo nang husto. Mas nakikita natin mas lumawak ’yung mundo, mas maraming p’wedeng gawin, mas maraming p’wedeng puntahan.”

He added, “We’re venturing into a new era.”

Happy 30th anniversary, Star Magic!

Erich Gonzales, Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Shaina Magdayao, Jolina Magdangal, and Loisa Andalio Photo by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands

Check out the gallery below for the statements of these Star Magic artists on what it means to them to be a Kapamilya, and see them take center stage at the Kapamilya Strong 2022 event with Direk Laurenti Dyogi and their managers:

Direk Laurenti Dyogi and Jolina Magdangal - Jolina: 'Ang pagiging Kapamilya mahalaga sa’kin kasi subok na talaga ’yung samahan ng Kapamilya eh. Para sa akin, masaya ako at very proud ako na maging part ng lahat ng tagumpay ng Kapamilya lalong-lalo na ’pag challenges. Happy ako na part ako nu’n… Masaya, malungkot, alam mo na meron kang matatakbuhan and I’m very thankful.'

Nenette Rustia and Jolina Magdangal

Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Jolina Magdangal, and Nenette Rustia

Direk Laurenti Dyogi and Gerald Anderson - Gerald: 'More than ’yung mga great contents and movies and shows and entertainment na binibigay natin, news, sa mga tao一ako kasi minsan nakakasama ako sa mga outreach programs ng ABS一and I see the reactions ng mga Kapamilya natin when they see that, alam mo ba ’yung truck ng ABS tapos may symbol ng ABS-CBN, when they see that, they see hope. And it’s like ’yung 'S' ni Superman sa chest niya, ganu’n. To be part of this company na nagbibigay ng ganu’ng pag-asa, ng inspiration sa mga tao and to be able to represent it for the last 16 years, that’s what it means to me. Icing on the cake sa’kin ’yung mga magagandang proyekto na nagawa ko, na binigyan ako ng pagkakataon ng ABS but it’s more of that, it’s more of the reaction. ’Pag may show ako sa TFC ’di ba, I go to Europe, to US, to Canada, makita lang nila ako walking [on] the street, s’yempre nagtataka sila andito. You see the impact na nabibigay natin sa mga tao ’di ba, sa mga OFWs natin and that’s been inspiring to me sa simula pa lang ng career ko.'

Nhila Mallari and Gerald Anderson

Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Nhila Mallari, and Gerald Anderson

Direk Laurenti Dyogi and Sam Milby - Sam: 'First off, I think that we can all agree that one word pagdating sa ABS-CBN is content. We give out the best content. And ABS-CBN with me, we look out for our best interests and ako, sobrang grateful ako paglabas ng PBB ['Pinoy Big Brother'] house 16 years ago. My 16 years of business have been very fruitful and I will forever be grateful to ABS-CBN and this new contract of course. Thank you so much. As long as ABS-CBN needs me, andito lang ako.'

Sam Milby and Monch Novales

Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Monch Novales, and Sam Milby

Zanjoe Marudo and Direk Laurenti Dyogi - Zanjoe: 'Mahalaga sa’kin ang pagiging Kapamilya, well, ramdam na ramdam ko sa loob ng 15 years kung gaano nila ako pinahalagahan din. ’Yung mga chances na binigay nila, mga opportunities sa akin na paulit-ulit paglabas ko ng PBB hanggang sa mahubog na ako, ’yung pagkatao ko, mahubog na ako sa pag-arte, hindi nila ako tinigilan na pagkatiwalaan. Kaya naman mahalaga sa’kin ito dahil, well, sa ABS, sa Kapamilya, mas dun ako sigurado na meron akong forever… Totoo naman, dito nararamdaman ko na hindi ka man pinalad sa mga ibang bagay pero sa ABS, ramdam ko ’yun.'

Zanjoe Marudo and Monch Novales

Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Zanjoe Marudo, and Monch Novales

Erich Gonzales and Direk Laurenti Dyogi - Erich: 'I guess hindi naman siguro kaila sa lahat na dito ako nagsimula, so para sa’kin kung anuman ang meron ako ngayon, dahil po ’yun sa opportunities na binigay sa akin and thankful ako sa magagandang projects and mga teleserye po na nagawa ko bilang Kapamilya. Maraming, maraming salamat po.'

Erich Gonzales and Love Capulong

Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Erich Gonzales, and Love Capulong

Jake Cuenca and Direk Laurenti Dyogi - Jake: 'Super importante sa’kin maging Kapamilya because this is our home. And at the same time, to do these quality projects, to push the limits of entertainment, to revolutionize the industry, I really believe that ABS-CBN is the only network that can do that. So, I’m just happy to be here.'

Alan Real and Jake Cuenca

Alan Real, Jake Cuenca, and Direk Laurenti Dyogi

Loisa Andalio and Direk Laurenti Dyogi - Loisa: 'Ang daming natulong sa’kin ng pagiging Kapamilya, bilang breadwinner ng family. Hindi lang sa financial kundi sa pinagdaanan ko na roller coaster, and masaya ako na makapagbigay ng saya, aral, tulong, and inspirasyon. Para sa’kin ’yun ang mahalaga, makapagbigay ng serbisyong ganu’n.'

Nenette Rustia, Loisa Andalio, and Direk Laurenti Dyogi

Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte

Ronnie Alonte and Direk Laurenti Dyogi - Ronnie: 'Mahalaga sa’kin ang pagiging isang Kapamilya kasi dito ako nagsimula. Ito ’yung bumuhay sa’kin nu’ng dating walang-wala pa ako talaga. And hanggang ngayon, andito pa rin ako nagpapasalamat sa Diyos na dumating man ’yung maraming artista na, s’yempre ang bilis ng panahon ngayon, may mga bagong nagsusulputan, and so ’di pa rin tayo nawala,so may panibagong kontrata sa tulong ng mga bosses, na binigay sa’kin ngayon ang panibagong kontrata, happy. Super happy. Andun ’yung tiwala and suporta nila sa’kin.'

Nenette Rustia, Ronnie Alonte, and Direk Laurenti Dyogi

Direk Laurenti Dyogi and Shaina Magdayao - Shaina: 'Being a Kapamilya, I think may kontrata man o wala, I can wholeheartedly say that being a Kapamilya will always be in my heart and my soul. Alam din ng mga bosses natin na katakot-takot na dasal ang pinagdaanan ko to just really have a peace of mind in signing one. Kasi hindi naman natin mapapagkaila na we are in a middle of a pandemic and the world is full of uncertainties ’di ba so mahirap ipagkatiwala ang next few years. But also, I’m here and I truly believe that now is the perfect time to sign a contract... I think this is my most courageous move in professing my loyalty and my gratitude to the network and to the people who have always believed in me and supported me. Kung wala po kayo, wala po ako dito. I will always be a Kapamilya.'

Edith Fariñas and Shaina Magdayao

Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Shaina Magdayao, and Edith Fariñas

- (Standing, from left) Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, Star Magic head Direk Laurenti Dyogi, Erich Gonzales, Zanjoe Marudo, and Sam Milby | (Sitting, from left) Jake Cuenca, Jolina Magdangal, Loisa Andalio, and Ronnie Alonte

Photography by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto for Brands, with Erron Ocampo

Creative direction: Chookie Cruz

Sittings editor: Grace Libero-Cruz

Shoot assistant: Keith Flor of Metrophoto for Brands