‘Protégé’s’ pair of champs
After weeks of live performances and nerve-wracking elimination nights, GMA’s Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break crowned “Kilig Cutie” Jeric Gonzales and “Super Sweetheart” Thea Tolentino as this season’s male and female battle champs at the exciting live finale on Sunday night.

Jeric and Thea were the protégés of multimedia icon Jolina Magdangal and seasoned actress and TV director Gina Alajar, respectively. Both hailing from Laguna, the pair of champs received the highest number of votes from the judges and the viewers for their journey toward stardom.

Both Jeric and Thea went home with an incredible grand prize worth P12 million, which includes P1 million each from SM Supermalls, a two-bedroom unit from Suntrust Properties Inc, and a five-year management contract with GMA Artist Center. They were also awarded with a four-year scholarship grant from STI College, together with four other Protégé finalists, Ruru Madrid, Elle Ramirez, Mikoy Morales and Zandra Summer.

Jeric received the Texter’s Choice Award with P20,000 cash from GMA New Media, Inc. Mentors Gina and Jolina each received P500,000 cash.

And for their first TV project, gala presenter Dingdong Dantes announced that Jeric and Thea will be part of the network’s upcoming youth-oriented series, the revival of T.G.I.S.

Making the finals night even grander were the special performances of the Top 20 protégés with Inside Protégé host Jennylyn Mercado. The five celebrity mentors also took to the dance floor as they moved to the beat of the “Protégé Dance Craze,” Cupid Shuffle.

For the finale, the Final 6 protégés faced their last test in “The Drama Challenge” where they acted alongside the GMA’s teleserye superstars: Thea Tolentino with Heart Evangelista (Luna Blanca), Jeric Gonzales with Kris Bernal (Coffee Prince), Ruru Madrid with Barbie Forteza (Paroa: Ang Kuwento ni Mariposa), Mikoy Morales with Andrea Torres (Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga), Zandra Summer with Ryan Eigenmann (Magdalena) and a solo performance by Elle Ramirez (Aso ni San Roque).