FOLLOWING IN HER MOTHERíS FOOTSTEPS
by Alex Brosas, Manila Times, August 7, 2003

KC Concepcion, the lovely daughter of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, is establishing herself as a celebrity endorser. And why not? Like her mother, KC is very articulate and intelligent.

Such attributes were displayed recently in her launching as pH Care teen-image model. KC is pitching pH Care, the same brand of feminine hygiene her megastar mom is endorsing. Thereís no conflict here, though, as the daughter is not about to replace mom.

Sharonís daughter was feted to a chic launching recently at Ratskyís in Tomas Morato. Although the affair was less ostentatious than the show that launched her as Humanís image model two years ago, the pH Care presentation was nevertheless done stylishly.

Hosted by Boy Abunda, the event started when KC was finally introduced. She sashayed into the stage and performed a dance number with the Hotlegs. After which, a ìprivate conversationî with Boy immediately followed.

This segment was patterned after Boyís popular TV talk show, and it was just as probing as the interviews he does on the small screen. Boy knew what questions to askñquestions that we, the distinguished members of the entertainment press, have all been wanting to ask, but were not given the chance to do so. KC has never actually had the oppor‚tunity to do a sit-down interview with us.

Thus, the interview gave her the chance to squash rumors linking herself with Piolo Pascual. ìWeíve dated but heís not courting me,î she stressed.

She also dismissed reports that Luis Manzano was also among her suitors. Anyway, KC wonít have the time to go out with guys as sheís set to fly to Paris to pursue her studies. She promised to fly home during schoolbreaks.

Meanwhile, Tom Adrales, founder of Circle of 10 Model Search has long been discover‚ing fresh and new faces for TV and print ads. An old hand in mentoring wannabes, he has been instru‚mental in developing new‚comers and turning them into well-polished perform‚ers.

His recent discoveries were Karen de los Reyes of the ìKarenî McDo-TVC and Michael Olivarez, both are now with GMA 7.

Actually, Circle of 10 came about after Tom bolted out of Ad Faces, a modeling search competition which he helped formed with some friends from the adver‚tising industry.

Ad Faces alumna in‚clude Aub‚rey Miles, Justin Cu‚yu‚gan, Halina Perez, Danilo Bar‚rios and Jenny Mil‚ler.

Now on its fourth year, the Circle of 10 search has screened 300 aspi‚rants. The number has been trimmed down to 39, 17 females and 22 males. This yearís competition will be held at the Star Theater of Star City, CCP Complex on August 9.

Tom said that every year, applicants increase by a hundred. ìMany young people today want to join the commercial world but not actually showbusiness,î he reveals. After selecting the finalists, Tom begins the hard work. The finalists go through extensive workshopñacting on camera, group dynamics, perso‚nality developmentñwith trained facilitators, lecturers and guest speakers.

In the final night, teen heart‚throbs John Prats and VJ Heart Evangelista will be named Celebrity Endorsers of the Year.