Same month last year, GMA Network premiered Centerstage, an original singing competition where young powerhouse belters were gathered racing to get to the most coveted spot on the show.
While the singing reality search was warming up, production had to stop because of the pandemic and the sudden surge of COVID-19 cases in the country. But given the situation, the show did not stop helping talented kids realize their dreams.
Picking up where it left off when the pandemic restrictions started, the aspiring kiddie performers will showcase their jaw-dropping and adorable talents and personalities once again for the chance to step on the center stage.
Hosted by Alden Richards no less, the world-class singing competition for kids is returning with a bang tweaking the show’s format but still maintaining the same kind of entertainment it provided its audience during its initial telecast last year.
“Being with the kids, as the host, I get to know their stories, what drives them to showcase their talents on TV. It’s a nice experience hearing their different stories because they bring out so many memories of my own journey as a struggling artist as well,” Alden told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual press conference.
While most of his fans associate the multimedia star as a screen actor, Alden has been doing hosting jobs for years now and it is another facet of his career that he finds interesting because of the different experience he gets out of it.
“My first hosting job with GMA was Bet ng Bayan, that’s my stepping stone into hosting. After that I was given some hosting assessments in docus then nakapasok tayo sa Eat Bulaga, I’m a regular [host in the show] for six years now. So, hosting for me is something I’m really comfortable doing because it allows me to talk to different kinds of people. And then you learn about their stories,” Alden related.
“With Centerstage, I can really relate with the kids. Being surrounded by these talented young singers reminds me of my own journey as a young dreamer. Their stories are similar to what I had been through in the industry. That’s one of the things that I enjoy hosting this talent search,” he carried on adding that he’s excited to be back on Centerstage to interact with the kids and the people behind the show.
The 29-year-old star added that due to the current quarantine restrictions and to ensure the safety of everyone, there will still be no live audience and the contestants’ performances will be shot in the comfort of their own homes with the help of the program’s production team, in strict adherence to current guidelines and protocol.
Also all set to take the talented kids and viewers to an entertaining ride in the show are Alden’s co-host Betong Sumaya and the judges Pops Fernandez, Aicelle Santos, and musical director Mel Villena.
Centerstage airs tonight at 7:40 p.m. on GMA-7. Viewers abroad can also watch via GMA’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com
