ABS-CBN’s top-rating noontime program “It’s Showtime” brought back its hit competition “Stars on 45” where middle-aged men and women showcase their singing chops with classic and contemporary tracks.

“Stars on 45” Volume 2 was launched last Monday (June 16) to replace kiddie competition “Mini Me,” which held its grand finals last Saturday (June 14).

Aside from demonstrating their excellence in singing, “Stars on 45” contestants also have to exhibit their showmanship to charm the judges and the audience. Volume 2’s first daily winner was Joel Sampang, who crooned “To Love Somebody” and further captivated the crowd by rapping Gloc-9’s “Upuan.”

Those who want to join “Stars on 45” can audition Monday to Friday, 3-5PM at the ABS-CBN audience entrance. They just have to look for Raul Lingan and bring with them a valid ID, birth certificate, and minus one audio tracks of new and old songs.

Meanwhile, five-year-old Nhikzy Vheench Calma, the mini Michael Jackson of San Andres Bukid, Manila, was declared the first grand winner of “Mini Me.” He won P300,000.

Aside from impressing judges Jhong Hilario, Empress, Nino Muhlach, Janice De Belen, and Direk Bobot Mortiz with his suave dance moves, Nhikzy also moved some members of the studio audience to tears.

Viewers nationwide tuned in to the Big Finale of Mini Me last Saturday as “It’s Showtime” recorded a national TV rating of 22.3%, or double the rating of its rival program “Eat Bulaga” (11.1%), according to data from Kantar Media.

Aside from “Stars on 45,” “It’s Showtime” also showcases beautiful and talented women through a beauty pageant called “Gandang Babae” where contestants are pitted against each other in proving their talent, displaying their beauty and poise in the long gown competition, and revealing their intelligence and wit in its unique question-and-answer portion.

Don’t miss “It’s Showtime”, 12:30 PM Mondays to Fridays, and on Saturdays, 12NN on ABS-CBN. For updates on the program, follow @ItsShowtimena on Twitter, @ItsShowtimeOfficial_IG on Instagram, or like www.facebook.com/itsShowtimena. For more exclusive photos and videos, visit “It’s Showtime’s” official website itsshowtime.abs-cbn.com.