Sarah Lahbati

This feature was written in 2010. Needless to say, there had been a lot of changes in Sarah’s life—both in her personal and professional life. This photo shoot and interview took place when she was just fresh out of the reality show where she emerged the winner. During the shoot, the whole glam team was in awe of the young star’s no-makeup beauty—not to mention that she was statuesque (5’8”) at 16 years old. A prized talent of her network, Sarah then starred in a number of TV shows and movies.

However, at the start of 2013, news broke about the teen actress’ rift with a TV executive. Sarah then chose to stay out of the klieg lights of show business. She stayed abroad for quite a while and remained out of the spotlight.

Just recently, Sarah reconciled with the TV executive and has been working on her comeback. Anyway, it’s always good to look back at how she was almost four years ago—before all the brouhaha that derailed her journey to stardom. I just hope that she gets back on track sooner as she has definitely missed a lot in her career.

Face of Allure: Sarah Lahbati

Sarah Lahbati.
Photos courtesy of www.philstar.com

If humility has a face, then it will have the beautiful features of half-Moroccan, half-Filipino Sarah Alzol Lahbati. “It is important for me to be humble. In everything I do, I always remember that I may not be perfect but I will always be me,” says the 16-year-old. Humility, Sarah reminds herself, is essential especially now that she’s on her first few steps in the entertainment industry. After bagging the title as “Ultimate Female Survivor” in Starstruck, GMA 7’s reality search for new talents, Sarah is now realizing her dream to act and perform on national TV.

“I barely sleep now,” shares Sarah, statuesque at 5-ft.-8.-in. “But I enjoy what I’m doing because I get to meet a lot of people. And they are famous stars for that matter!” Sarah, a mainstay of the Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas, also loves the job because she gets to portray a lot of roles. Being a TV personality was something far from her mind because she originally wanted to be a flight attendant. “But after I saw what happened on Sept. 11 at the World Trade Center, I got scared,” explains Sarah, who also considered being a policewoman when she was a child.

Because Sarah is young and already in the controversy-laden world of show business, she is properly guided by her parents — dad Abdel Lahbati, personnel officer at the Kuwait Mission of Geneva, Switzerland, and Esther Lahbati. Her mom, who goes with her to her commitments including this photo shoot, reminds Sarah that as a budding actress, she has to always look her best “because you’ll never know who you’re going to meet.” Her dad, on the other hand, taught her not to compete with others but with herself. This is exactly why Sarah keeps polishing her acting and singing skills by attending trainings and workshops.   

Armed with striking features, a charming personality and talent, Sarah is being groomed to be one of her mother station’s premier leading ladies. Although she currently finds herself busy with projects left and right, the young girl in her wishes for more summer memories, like her Egypt escapade a few years back. “I went to Egypt to spend summer with my parents. We stayed there for two weeks and I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to be back there soon.”

(Published April 18, 2010, The Philippine Star)

Kim Chiu: A star's magic

In March 2010, Star Magic premier talent Kim Chiu, then 19, was on the list of our annual Women of Allure. No question as to why she was on that list. She was hot property, dubbed the new leading lady of primetime and the face of countless brands as the girl was a credible endorser. Kim was also one of the most awarded teen stars of her generation. 

During her photo shoot and interview in Dusit Thani Manila, I got to sit down with her to get to know her better. I was surprised that despite her celebrity status, Kim was still shy and humble. Although her handlers had previously advised that Kim could only be interviewed very briefly as she had a long list if engagements that day, the young actress never made me feel she was in a rush. In fact, she would smile in between responding to my interview questions and would even laugh while relating to me her humble beginnings. On our first two minutes in the interview, it was like we had known each other for a few years. She apologized for having to leave already even when she answered every question I threw her way.

Today, Kim is still one of her network's most prized talents. She has bloomed into a fine lady and starred in blockbuster movies, including one (Bride for Rent) that is recently being shown in cinemas. Almost four years after I interviewed Kim, her star has only shone brighter.

Kim Chiu: A star's magic

More than three summers ago, she joined the teen edition of a popular reality show simply because she wanted to be seen on TV. Shortly thereafter, viewers began to take notice of this sweet gal, with her sassy antics. Even back then, Kim Chiu already endeared herself to the Filipino viewers.

Kim Chiu.
Photo courtesy of www.philstar.com
Photography by Jeffrey Sonora * Styling by Kim and Boop Yap * Jewelry by Miladay

A fairy-tale finale characterized her exit from the Big Brother house. That ending was actually just the beginning of Kim’s foray into the entertainment industry. After emerging as the “big winner” in that show, the Chinese-Filipina cutie is currently one of the biggest stars of ABS-CBN and companies who get her to represent their brands get winning sales.

Kim, 19, is definitely hot property and one of the network’s most important stars. She’s even dubbed as the new “Primetime Princess” — thanks to her numerous top-rating teleseryes (two of which were the huge hit Tayong Dalawa and the ongoing Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo). “I am most proud of having been part of Tayong Dalawa. I did my best to get into my character so I could portray it well,” says Kim. “I get excited every time there is a project lined up for me. To prepare for a role, I watch movies and observe people. I also attend workshops.” These efforts to continuously improve on her craft, thankfully, weren’t left unnoticed. Critics were impressed and so were award-giving bodies like the Guillermo Mendoza Awards (Most Popular Loveteam, together with perennial onscreen partner Gerald Anderson), Anak TV Seal Awards (Most Admired Female TV Personality), Gawad Tanglaw and just recently, the USTv Awards where she won as “Best Actress in a Daily Soap Opera.” Kim excitedly shares, “It was a total surprise for me. It was already an honor to be nominated alongside other talented young actresses. It felt great that all my hard work for this show paid off.”

Aside from her TV stint, the young star’s portfolio extends to every other medium one could think of. She has a number of blockbuster films under her belt, her face has been on the cover of magazines and the celebrity has an impressive roster of endorsements. On top of that, the Star Magic artist has a solid fan base, an achievement not many young stars today can boast of.

Tapings, photo shoots and press conferences are staples of her daily schedule. But Kim also knows how to have fun during the few times that she’s free of those commitments. “In my leisure time, I love swimming and shopping,” says Kim, whose eyes light up when she shares that retail therapy makes her happy. “I miss those days when I could just walk in the mall, buy my stuff and bargain for them! I just love shopping that my current fashion obsessions are floral dresses, which are perfect for the summer season!”

So what really is the young star’s magic? Nothing tricky, actually. Kim shares, “I love my work and I certainly have the passion for what I do.” Aside from that, the incontestable charm that people saw in Kim when she was still a non-celebrity is still the same charm that she carries with her as she establishes her rightful spot in the industry. Simply why it’s really not surprising that whatever Kim Chiu does, she will indeed leave people — both avid believers and adamant followers — spellbound.

(Published March 21, 2010, The Philippine Star)