BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Philippine celebrities grace Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City, on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, for the 18th installment of the Walk of Fame.

Twenty individuals join the roster of honored personalities, their names forever etched on star-shaped plaques embedded along the sidewalks of the mall property.

Including these recent inclusions, the count of celebrities from various fields such as television, film, radio, journalism, music, theater, and social media, honored on the pavements of Eastwood City, now stands at 364.

Among the initial figures to grace the red carpet were Annette Gozon-Valdes, Senior Vice President for Programming at GMA Network, and Joy Marcelo, who serves as the vice president for Sparkle, the network’s talent division. Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan, who was the chairman emeritus of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and currently consultant of Sparkle GMA Artist Center, was also there to unveil his star. 

In the meantime, Vic del Rosario Jr., the chairman and CEO of Viva Communications, Inc., a significant contributor to the advancement of Philippine entertainment, also attended the event. Solar Entertainment President Wilson Tieng was also present to reveal his star.

For musicians, drummer Mark Escueta and bassist Nathan Azarcon from Rivermaya were joined by former guitarist Kakoy Legaspi. The Walk of Fame acknowledgment marks another significant achievement for the band, following their recent celebration of 30 years in the industry with a highly successful reunion concert featuring their original ’90s lineup. The legendary 1980s band The Dawn, fronted by vocalist Jet Pangan, received well-deserved acknowledgment. 

In the News and Public Affairs sector, business journalist Cathy Yap-Yang, Kapuso entertainment reporter Lhar Santiago, and DZBB radio anchor Joel Reyes Zobel were honored as this year’s inductees.

They also included vloggers and social media influencers. Reflecting the present era, social media personality Small Laude was awarded a star, symbolizing the significant influence and popularity of influencers and online personalities in today’s digital landscape.

For the directors, Directors Brillante Mendoza and Tony Y. Reyes were given recognition as they each received their star, shining brightly in the spotlight. Menchu Lauchengco was also honored for her achievements as a theater performer.

And, of course, what everyone truly anticipates are the artists included in this lineup. Richard Yap, Luis Manzano, and Baron Geisler made an appearance at the ceremony to witness the unveiling of their stars. Sanya Lopez, who was discovered by the late German “Kuya Germs” Moreno at the age of 14, was also an inductee to reveal her star during the ceremony. 

Michelle Dee, Miss Universe Philippines 2023, appeared stunning as soon as she stepped onto the red carpet. Following the revelation of her star, Michelle delighted her fans by mingling with the crowd, signing autographs, and posing for photos with them.

Alden Richards demonstrated his immense popularity, eliciting screams from onlookers each time they spotted the Kapuso actor. The pairing of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan, much known as “DonBelle,” captivated fans at the venue, evoking thunderous cheers and screams from the audience.

Photo courtesy: Instagram/@sparklegmaartistcenter

In 2005, Kuya Germs introduced the Walk of Fame as the Philippine counterpart to the renowned Hollywood Walk of Fame in California, USA. While there are lingering inquiries regarding the selection criteria for inductees, the Walk of Fame has become one of the most eagerly awaited events in showbiz.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo: Facebook/Eastwood City