SM Little Stars Crowns Its First-Ever Grand Shining and Dazzling Stars

Gratiela Thresse M. Urmeneta of SM City Manila and Amiah Kaea Yzobel Quimzon of SM City Butuan capture SM Little Stars 2026's highest honors

The Grand Shining Star, Grand Dazzling Star, and runners-up pose with the SM Little Stars 2026 judges and organizers following the Grand Finals at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.

MANILA, Philippines, 11th August 2026 — From thousands of hopefuls across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, thirty of the country’s brightest young dreamers took center stage at the SM Little Stars 2026 Grand Finals. Captivating the audience at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall, the finalists showcased exceptional talent and charm in a nationwide celebration of Filipino youth. More than a talent search, the annual competition highlights SM Supermalls’ commitment to discovering and nurturing limitless potential from every corner of the Philippines as these children embrace the biggest stage of their young lives. 

The Grand Finals marked the culmination of six weeks of auditions held across 68 of your most-loved SM Supermalls nationwide. More than 41,000 children aged 4 to 7 showcased their talents in singing, dancing, and other skills, with only 30 exceptional finalists earning coveted spots in the country’s biggest nationwide kiddie talent competition. While every finalist inspired the audience with their passion and determination, two young dreamers ultimately earned this year's highest honors.

Gratiela showcases her dance moves, while Amiah serenades the audience with her rendition of the classic Disney song “When You Wish Upon a Star” during the SM Little Stars 2026 Grand Finals.

Gratiela Thresse M. Urmeneta of SM City Manila was crowned this year’s Grand Shining Star, while Amiah Kaea Yzobel Quimzon of SM City Butuan earned the title of Grand Dazzling Star. Their remarkable performances and irresistible charm won over both the audience and the judges, bringing the competition to an unforgettable conclusion.

Urmenete wowed the audience with her energetic dance performance, while Quimzon serenaded the judges and crowd with her heartfelt rendition of the classic Disney song “When You Wish Upon a Star.”

For the mothers of the newly crowned stars, seeing their children take home the competition's highest honors was a proud and emotional moment after weeks of preparation and support. "Sobrang proud ako sa kanya. Nakita ko kung gaano siya nagsikap at nagtiwala sa sarili niya. Bukod sa pagkapanalo, masaya akong makita siyang lumabas sa stage na mas confident," said Sheilamay P. Mojuntou, mother of Grand Shining Star winner Gratiela Urmeneta.

Meanwhile, Vanessa Ysmaela D. Quimzon, mother of Grand Dazzling Star Amiah Quimzon, shared, "Gusto lang namin na ma-enjoy niya ang experience, kaya napakalaking bonus na makita siyang manalo. Thankful kami sa SM Little Stars sa pagkakataong ito."

Beyond the competition itself, the Grand Finals became a celebration for families, friends, and supporters who filled the venue with cheers, applause, and heartfelt encouragement. 

“Watching these young dreamers perform reminds us that every big journey begins with one brave step. SM Little Stars has always been more than a competition; it is a place where children discover confidence, families create lifelong memories, and dreams begin to take shape. We are proud to continue providing that stage for Filipino children year after year," said Hanna Carinna T. Sy, SM Supermalls Senior Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Leasing.

This year’s finalists were evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges composed of singer, actress, and host Karylle Yuzon, award-winning filmmaker Antoinette Jadaone, OPM hitmaker and ABS-CBN Music Assistant Vice President Jonathan Manalo, "Gala To The Max" choreographer Angel Datanagan, and SM Little Stars 2016 Grand Winner Marcus Cabais. Their expertise and insights helped recognize the young performers who best embodied the talent, confidence, and stage presence that define SM Little Stars.

Urmeneta and Quimzon were joined by 1st Runner-Up Amara Jade F. Sabino of SM City Lipa, 2nd Runner-Up Seth Nicolas B. Jacinto of SM City San Jose del Monte, and 3rd Runner-Up John Rouie S. Dizon of SM City Pampanga.

As this year's top winners, Urmeneta and Quimzon each received a prize package worth celebrating, including ₱100,000 in cash and SM Gift Certificates, a National University college scholarship, a brand-new car, an all-expense-paid trip to Hong Kong, and many more exciting rewards.

Aside from crowning the two grand winners, SM Little Stars 2026 also recognized three runners-up, the finalists who placed sixth to tenth, and recipients of the special awards: People’s Choice Award, Little Style Stars, Little Sparkling Stars, and Little Pop Star.

Beyond the titles and prizes, every finalist took home something even more meaningful—the courage to dream bigger, cherished memories with their families, and the confidence to take the next step in their journey. These unforgettable moments are a testament to the enduring legacy of SM Little Stars, which continues to inspire young talents and create meaningful experiences for 17 years and beyond.

Camp John Hay Investors are no Pushovers

The 1,631 investors, locators, shareholders and sub-lesses are have formed an alliance and are fighting back to protect their rights in Camp John Hay. They have filed a petition to the Court of Appeals to clarify and set the record straight. A temporary restraining order (TRO) was also asked to stop the Baguio RTC from evicting property owners who acted in good faith.

CJHDEVCO versus BCDA Who Will Win?

The Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PRCI) ordered the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) to return to CJHDEVCO the total amount of P1,421,096,052.00 representing the rental payment made by the developer based on the lease agreement. The Baguio RTC issued last April 14, 2015 a writ of execution to implement the PDRCI decision to shell out P1.42 billion in exchange for CJHDEVCO to move out from Camp John Hay.

Business venture turned philanthropic crusade to help, educate the poor

 

Helping people, the less fortunate, is natural for Filipinos, particularly those who have achieved their success from humble beginnings. Nilo S. Gret, a former Bank Executive and native of Tiaong, Quezon province, is one of those Filipinos. He pioneered the first technical school in Tiaong, Quezon, where it is helping local students pursue paying careers with TESDA backed certified training.

A Bitter Pill

BCDA’s threatening locators, unit owners and sub-lessees who entered into contracts for a 50-year lease that they could be evicted if they do not assign their contracts with BCDA. The proposal clearly exposes the parties concerned to graft and corruption since once the properties of locators, lessees and tenants are returned to BCDA. The fact is that BCDA cannot dispose them without the proper public bidding to these properties.

Philam Life offers Filipinos financial protection even at early stages of a critical illness

Health is seen as a top concern of Filipinos – as they tend to prioritize their and their family’s health. Health setbacks, especially life-threatening critical illnesses, after all, can cost much and derail the family’s finances, while taking away precious moments that the family could have spent together.

This was found by the “AIA Survey on Middle Class Hopes and Aspirations ” conducted by Philam Life’s parent company, AIA, the leading pan-Asian insurance group.  The study revealed that “being healthy” is one of the top goals in life among middle class Filipinos. More so, “unexpected emergencies” and “healthcare costs” are the top concerns among the respondents.

Bundle of Joy by Manulife

The Manufacturers Life Insurance Co. (Phils.) Inc. (Manulife Philippines), one of the country’s leading insurance companies,has made life insurance more accessible by offering FREE insurance through Manulife Bundle of Joy. This good news is perfect for new parents, parents-to-be and everyone who wants to be a part of Bundle of Joy community!

The vast majority of newborns enter the world healthy but they are more vulnerable to germs than older babies because they simply haven't had time to build up defenses. Sometimes infants develop conditions that require medical tests and treatment. All signs and symptoms are of even greater concern if the baby is less than 3 months old. We can only do so much to take care of our little one, and even if we wrap our child in our arms until they are okay to thrive on their own, we as parents cannot live forever. Accidents happen and diseases will not always be at bay. The unpredictability of parenthood comes with inevitable emergencies of life. If something happens to the mom or dad or God Forbid even both of them before they turn one, what happens to your newborn child? What can we leave behind?

We can either burden ourselves with anxiety on things we cannot control or secure the best future for your child without delay. This means that there is  no need to wait until their first birthday. The absolute security of our newborn is not even a choice, it is a necessity. After all, what is more urgent than our child’s future? The cost of pregnancy, baby delivery, supplies and immunizations all add up. So for parents like us, Manulife’s Bundle of Joy program is a welcome breath of fresh air. With no premium required, moms and dads with newborns less than a year old would only need to register online for a free one-year insurance coverage worth Php100,000.00. You can also seek expert advice and useful guides for first-time parents and financial awareness for those who are starting to build a family. The site also offers relevant information for us parents on freebies, promos and other fun activities. At this time, getting insurance may be at the bottom of your checklist, as it was previously in ours. But as we relish the joys of parenthood, let us learn to choose lifelong benefits, the ones that would benefit the family and ultimately our newborns. The cute strollers, cribs, baby bouncers and toys will be outgrown in a short amount of time but a good insurance coverage will last a long time. Bundle of Joy advocacy aims to reach, secure and protect as many Filipino families as possible. Eligible parents that sign up with the Manulife Bundle of Joy community (www.manulifebundleofjoy.com.ph) will be entitled to a free one-year term life insurance coverage worth P100,000