From the time she was presented as one of the Final 20 contestants in the GMA artist search, Protege: The Battle for the Big Artista Break up until last week, South Luzon protege Arny Ross has consistently showed the makings of a star.

She exuded confidence, stage presence and talent, and quite honestly, she stood above most of her contenders in terms of “X-factor.”

Last Sunday, however, the judges were not impressed by Arny’s performance in her group’s short film.

“Nagulat ako kay Arny kasi last time magaling ang performance niya, nakikita ko yung emotion niya kahit sumasayaw siya. Dito para lang siyang dumaan, parang extra lang,” commented judge Atty. Anna Teresa Gozon-Abrogar.

Arny said that she knew the very moment she read the script that her very “simple” role in the story will put her in a compromising situation.

“Sa akin po, nung nabasa ko po yung script talagang na-simplehan po ako sa role ko. I’m expecting na sana next time ay mabigyan ako ng mas mabigat na role para mapatunayan ko na mas may kaya pa akong mapatunayan dito sa Protege,” said Arny.

Arny hopes to regain her mentor’s (and the judges’) confidence in her by doing better this week.

“Next week po talaga kung meron man pong ibibigay sa akin ng mas challenging role I’m sure na ibibigay ko po talaga yung best ko. Magfo-focus po ako at magco-concentrate sa ipapakita ko,” she said.

Meanwhile, as if the world turned upside-down, the usually shy and underperforming Thea Tolentino received praises from the judges during last Sunday’s gala night.

“Thea, you have the looks of a star and at least ikaw, nakitaan kita ng sensitivity sa acting mo,” commented judge Atty. Abrogar shortly after the group’s short film was shown.

In an interview after the show, Thea said that she’s very happy to have impressed Atty. Abrogar. “Masaya po,pero alam ko pong hindi ko pa po talaga nabigay yung best ko. Feeling ko yung naging performance ko ay so-so lang kaya pagbubutihan ko po sa susunod,” she said.

The lone male protege in Thea and Arny’s group, Jeric Gonzales of Laguna, also fell short of the judges expectations.

“Jeric, mukha kang star pero sobrang kulang yung pinakita mong acting today. Masasayang lang ang looks mo kung hindi mo maho-hone nang mabuti,” said Atty. Abrogar.

With the clock to the final week constantly ticking, it is wise for all of the remaining 14 proteges to heed the comments and advise not only of their mentors but also of the judges, especially because their scores have more weight than the text votes.

This week, the proteges will again embark in a new exercise that will test their readiness to stand in the middle of the spotlight. Who won’t make it next week? Let’s wait and see.