On May 16, GMA Network will begin its quest for the next big name in the music industry via the edgy, all original superstar search - “ARE YOU THE NEXT BIG STAR?”

Hosted by Asia’s songbird Ms. Regine Velasquez, together with singer/host/actor Keempee de Leon, “Are You The Next Big Star?” pools together amateur and professional singers seeking a comeback in an all-out singing competition.

The show was dreamed up to transcend other reality-based talent search with its ingenuity, freshness and certified unique approach to finding the one worthy of being called “the next big star”.

For the first time in a singing search, experienced singers are allowed to join provided that they have no existing recording contracts and no mainstream appearances as singers, in 2008, up to present. Also for the first time, not just one but TWO (one male and one female) singing superstar hopefuls will be proclaimed champions.

From the more than 10,000 hopefuls who joined the Screening in SM Baliwag, SM Batangas, SM Marikina and GMA Network Inc., 150 contestants made it to the Audition Phase. From there onwards, contestants will face 15 weeks of grueling tasks, workshops and weekly live performances designed to sharpen their musicality, pop star power, and over-all mass appeal; not to mention the capacity to withstand the demands of a career in the highly competitive world of music.

The impressive roster of judges include well-respected record producer/composer and songwriter Danny Tan, musical director and arranger Mon Faustino, vocal coach and founding member of “The Company” Anne Quintos, 90s pop icon Randy Santiago, and the concert queen Pops Fernandez.

Throughout the search, a systematic elimination process will be employed to ensure that only the best of the best will emerge as winners.

The grand champions will each be awarded with a GMA Exclusive Management Contract, a GMA Records Recording Contract, 1 million pesos in cash from SM Supermalls and other exciting rewards, along with a prized, once-in-a-lifetime shot at superstardom.

Don’t miss the exciting premiere of the most thrilling and most innovative singing battle to invade Philippine television, “ARE YOU THE NEXT BIG STAR?” on May 16 after Pinoy Records only on GMA Network.