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New kid on the block

didn't land in the top slot in the search for ABS-CBN's "Little Big Star" but look where he is now. Judges in said search found him not cut out for singing, but he has made a big hit in the song "Tito, Tita" so apt for the holidays.

This was followed by his biggest achievement so far: his landing the lead role in the network's "Super Inggo." Now that this hit TV serial has ended, title-roler Makisig says he misses doing it very much.

But he's glad to be now co-hosting Little Big Superstar with Sarah Geronimo. By the way, while Little Big Star was a search for child singers, Little Big Superstar is a search for the next complete entertainer: A young talent who can sing, act, dance and host.

Makisig is also the lead singer in the new kiddie dance tune, Lucky LUCKY ME, from the album Little Big Superstar. He appears with his Super Inggo co-star Jairus Aquino, plus Little Big Star discoveries Mica Roi Torre, Kyle Balili, Rhap Salazar and Charice Pempengco.

And if that's not enough, the biggest little star now (Makisig himself) is set to do a movie with no less than Sharon Cuneta, to be shot in London and to be directed by Chito Rono for Star Cinema.

Is he really Pinoy showbiz's new child wonder? "I hope so," says Makisig. "If that happens, I will do my best. I want to live up to everyone's expectations, especially ABS-CBN's."

Is he really a good boy in real life? "Yes," he answers. "I'm kind in real life." Makisig reveals that all his earnings go to the family coffer.

They are really poor, he says. His dad, Ulderico (or Rick for short), used to be a member of the Singing Cooks and Waiters at Barrio Fiesta's "Kalde-Kaldero, Kawa-Kawali" Restaurant. He encouraged Makisig to sing and also served as the boy's voice coach. Rick now accompanies Makisig on his showbiz commitments.

"When I joined Little Big Star, I really wanted to win. One million pesos (the prize) is a big amount," he narrates. But as is common knowledge, Makisig only ended up as a second placer.

Was he disappointed? "I was," he replies. "But my dad told me that I should not expect to win always. According to him, it's more important that I tried my best."

Now that he is earning a lot, Makisig is able to give his family a more comfortable life. They have left their former abode, which was "attached" to their neighbour's house.

They now reside in a four-bedroom house in a subdivision in San Mateo, Rizal. Makisig and his five other siblings share three of the rooms, while the master's bedroom is occupied by Makisig's parents and his youngest sibling, Marikit, who is only a year old.