Gen Z actors get acting break in ABS-CBN’s new series ‘Zoomers’

The ABS-CBN has just introduced a fresh breed of artists in their new youth-reality series “Zoomers.”

Essaying the lead roles are former “Goin Bulilit” star Harvey Bautista and ex-”Pinoy Big Brother (PBB)” housemate Criza Taa, former “YeY ‘’ star Luke Alford, commercial model Ralph de Leon, and dancer Krystl Ball. They are joined by Luis Vera Perez, Kei Kurosawa, Erika Davis, Hadiyah Santos, and Zabel Lamberth.

As per media release, the story follows lives of senior high students Jiggs (Harvey), Hope (Criza), Kokoy (Luke), Tania (Krystl), and Atom (Ralph), who have forged a special bond of friendship during the pandemic. As they find their footing in this post-pandemic reality, their friendship will be tested as they will be challenged by their own pains, struggles, and dreams.

The new Kapamilya actors are grateful to be bagging the roles in their first major project after undergoing rigorous audition process. They were meticulously handpicked among 18 Gen Z artists by ABS-CBN Star Magic and TV production head Laurenti Dyogi, film director Theodore Boborol, and “He’s Into Her” director Chad Vidanes.

Some of them already had acting experiences when they were younger but it was the first time for the others to act on screen.

Zabel, for instance, began doing public Star Magic workshops in 2015. She would patiently travel from her home province, Baguio, every Sunday to attend the training and would go home on the same night because she had to go to school the next day.

“So tiniyaga ko po yun for how many years but then I stopped around 2018 to finish my senior high school. And then after that, I got into Star Magic and started doing workshops again,” she recalled in a media conference. “Medyo mahaba po yung showbiz journey ko and I’ve been waiting for this big break that was given to me. There are no small roles as what direk Ted said. And I am very grateful that they gave me a role as Beth for ‘Zoomers.’”

“Zoomers” also served as an acting debut for the sister of crooner Erik Santos, Hadiyah (as Juniper). “(It’s my) first time experiencing an audition and I’m grateful that that audition was shown. It is also my first time to do taping, in general, even the mediacon, everything.”

Half-Japanese Kei, on the other hand, has a background in dancing. During the pandemic, she was scouted by Star Magic through TikTok. She had done acting projects in the past, including an indie film and an international film starring Carlo Aquino.

“But even then, this still feels like a first for me because it’s the first time that I will be working with actors na ka-age ko and also my friends, and that’s why it’s much more fun and exciting,” maintained Kei.

Luis, for his part, shared that he began acting sometime in 2016. “Tapos naudlot… I did workshop again in Star Magic then they scouted me, I auditioned and I was able to get in as a trainee,” he said and added that he continued doing more workshops, “So worth it.”

Erika (as Mika) joined showbiz three years ago. Prior to that, she also undertook Star Magic trainings. “So I would say I have enough experience pa din. I just did recent show with Joshua Garcia in ‘Unbreak My Heart.”

Krystl has no prior acting experience before “Zoomers.” “So I’ve only done workshops with Star Magic and performances like the recent Christmas special at Araneta Coliseum,” she shared.

Ralph, meanwhile, started out as a model for fashion shows and commercials. He hosted backstage for Miss Universe Philippines. The series is his first acting project.

Criza was 13 years old when she auditioned for “PBB” which started her career in the entertainment industry. Following her “PBB” stint, she appeared in “Kadenang Ginto,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “He’s Into Her,” and “Wild Little Love.”

Luke was discovered in “The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2” in 2015. He subsequently joined Star Magic and got cast in several dramas. “I focused on acting because that’s the field where I was given an opportunity,” he said.

Lastly, Harvey felt “overwhelmed” to be part of “Zoomers.” “But all of us are here now, not just me,” he said and so he was thankful for that as well.

Chad Vidanes helmed “Zoomers” while Charisse Bayona and Michael Transfiguracion wrote the script for the show.

(Catch the episodes of “Zoomers” after “Can’t Buy Me Love,” 10:15 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5. Viewers all over the world can also stream its full episodes on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel).