?Starstruck? is one of the TV talent searches that have revolutionized the local star-discovery process in the past decade. For four seasons now, it has produced a number of promising new talents. More importantly, some of them have turned out to be more than mere flavors of the season, and have remained stars through the years.

Some of those bright lights are Mark Herras, Jennylyn Mercado, Rainier Castillo, Iwa Moto, Katrina Halili, Ryza Cenon and Yasmin Kurdi (and the late Marky Cielo). True, most of them may be more popular than truly gifted as performers, but their sheer endurance is nonetheless remarkable.

For this reason, we?re looking forward to season five of ?Starstruck,? which has just been launched on GMA 7. Now hosted by Dennis Trillo, the latest edition of the search will launch the show biz careers of a new batch of newcomers, and we trust that at least a couple of them will join Mark and Jennylyn among the long-running tilt?s more successful winners.

For the moment, however, as we wait for this season?s batch-makers to show proof of their star value, we should note that some key changes in the show?s star-discovery process have been announced.

The idea is to freshen up the successful format and generate new interest and excitement in the show.

We trust, too, that the people behind the show will make sure that better products are produced this year, starlets who really do have it in them to play lead roles with credibility, conviction and?dare we say it??brilliance.

Stars are supposed to shine, aren?t they? No ersatz gems or fools? gold in this year?s batch, hopefully.

For that to happen, however, the production should learn from past, unhappy experience. The first big lesson is that ?cute,? fan-friendly newbies with a lot of ?kilig factor? going for them are good for only a few seasons? popularity, and generally overstay their welcome soon after.

This is because the show-biz scene is overpopulated with literally hundreds of similarly cute teens, and certainly doesn?t need 10 more of the same each year.

So to create really durable stars, talent tilts like ?Starstruck? really have no choice but to go the distance and choose finalists who are unique, each in his or her own way.

Look back at the careers of the entertainment industry?s most durable stars, and you will realize that they have endured precisely because they?re one of a kind.

So instead of focusing on sheer acting, singing and dancing ability, talent-discovery tilts should be on the lookout for uniquely interesting and empathetic personality and charisma. Truly promising new stars don?t follow a formula or trend, they set unique standards and thus achieve an impact all their own.

?Jed Madela: One Voice?

Celebrate life through music as Jed Madela performs in the benefit concert ?Jed Madela: One Voice? on Nov. 27 at Philamlife Theater, UN Avenue.

Jed will be accompanied by an eight-member band, with Cris Villanueva and Rhap Salazar as special guests.

Call Joseph Uy at 750-0768.

?Montano: First Impressions?

Actor-director Cesar Montano?s first art exhibit, which opened Nov. 14 at ArtistSpace, Ayala Museum, will run until Nov. 29.

Proceeds will support Cesar?s Panaghoy Children Foundation?s scholarship program.

Unknown to many, Cesar has been painting for years, and his first solo exhibit affirms his promise as a visual artist.

?Sex and the City?

Every Wednesday at 11 p.m. on HBO, all six seasons of ?Sex and the City? will be telecast back-to-back, two episodes per week. Log on to www.hboasia.com.

Tintin?s fifth book

Tintin Bersola Babao?s fifth book for children, ?Si Kontra, Si Bida at Big Boy Buwaya,? will be launched from 3 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 20 at the World Trade Center.

Tintin is also holding her annual pre-Christmas charity bazaar from Nov. 20-22 at the WTC?s Halls B and C.