MANILA, Philippines - Some 800 children, accompanied by their mothers and grandmothers, trooped to the ABS-CBN studios on Monday to audition for the weekly kiddie gag show ?Goin? Bulilit.?

The kids, aged 5 to 8, were asked to sing, dance, act and crack jokes in front of the show?s production team.

Those who passed the first round of tryouts were sent to the ?Goin? Bulilit? studio for a screen test―and another round of interviews. Those who hurdled that last one were asked to return next week for yet another screen test.

?Only 10 of these 800 kids will be picked. Piling-pili talaga,? executive producer Nomie Merania told Inquirer Entertainment during breaks in the screening.

Merania said that, to pass the ?Bulilit? auditions, the aspiring child actor must have an outstanding character. ?Dapat bibo s?ya,? she explained. ?He has to be good in dancing and singing. He also has to be confident in front of the camera. Minsan kasi pinipilit lang ng mga nanay ang mga bata. When they stand in front of us, ayaw na magsalita.?

Some of the talents who were discovered in the kiddie gag show include Sharlene San Pedro, Nash Aguas, Igiboy Flores, Kiray Celis and Hopia Legazpi.

?Goin? Bulilit Year 4? airs Sundays, 7 p.m, after ?Rated K? on ABS-CBN.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph