Hers is truly an inspiring success story. The journey she trekked is simply amazing. From her humble beginnings to her present stature in the entertainment world, Aster Amoyo can really be considered as an excellent role model for those who dream to make it big in their chosen field.
For one, her passion, dedication, hard work and determination made her a success in the various mediums she entered. Her wide array of roles includes that of being a talent manager, entertainment columnist, former TV and radio personality, magazine publisher, PR directress, business, record and film executive, entrepreneur, managing director in the corporate world andnow, a popular showbiz vlogger.
Who would have thought that a simple lass from Borongan City, Eastern Samar could accomplish this much? Interestingly, she didn’t really plan to enter show business then. After finishing high school in her native province, she traveled to Manila and took a two-year secretarial course, without knowing that she would eventually be enmeshed in showbiz.
It was in 1974 when she was taken in as secretary of veteran PR specialist and talent manager Norma Japitana who was holding a high position at Vicor Music Corporation, the leading recording company at that time which was owned by cousins and music icons Vic del Rosario Jr. and Orly Ilacad. When the recording company moved office to Aurora Boulevard in Cubao in 1976, she got promoted as PR Assistant.
In December 1977 though, del Rosario and Ilacad separated and Aster opted to join the latter in forming OctoArts International which was formally launched in January 1978. Under said recording company, Aster helped managed the careers of some of the hottest names in the music industry during those times like Eva Eugenio, Boyfriends, Cristy Mendoza among others.
When the ‘80s ushered in, the recording company spawned the careers of Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, Jamie Rivera, Joey Albert, the late Francis Magalona, Michael V., and Ogie Alcasid.
Even Superstar Nora Aunor made an album under OctoArts which was titled, “Handog.” The recording firm also acquired international labels like RCA, Motown, CBS, Virgin, etc. Through all these, Aster was one of the main driving forces. In 1992, Ilacad branched out into movie production and built OctoArts Films. At the start, Aster acted as Advertising/Promotions head. When the film outfit churned one box-office hit after another, she got promoted as Vice-President for Promotions, a proof of her excellent promo handling. While with OctoArts, she helped managed the careers of celebrated stars like Jeric Raval, Lara Morena, Mikee Villanueva, Shirley Fuentes and Jennifer Mendoza, among others.
Apart from these, Aster juggled into various endeavors which further solidified her niche in the ‘biz. She wrote for different popular showbiz magazines like “Liwayway”, “Movie Flash”, “Kislap”, “Intrigue”, “ORIG”, “Fame” and “Hot Copy” among others. Until now, she still maintains her columns for renowned tabloids “People’s Journal” and “PM” (the afternoon edition of “Pilipino Star Ngayon”).
1993 witnessed her foray into television hosting. She, together with the late Anselle Beluso headlined the top-rating showbiz-oriented talk show “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot” (“ITIS”) produced by no less than the Queen of Intrigue herself, the late Inday Badiday and partner Gene Palomo which aired on ABC-5 (now TV 5). Come 1996, GMA Network tapped her services to host “Inside Showbiz”, another top-rater on its timeslot.
Radio also became part of her important entertainment mediums, as she did a two-hour program over at DWIZ in 1996 (also titled, “Inside Showbiz”) for four years. She was able to invite the hottest personalities to guest in said radio program, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In 2017-2018, 8 TriMedia Broadcasting Network engaged her to be one of the main hosts of “Inside Showbiz” alongside the late comedian-radio host Shalala and broadsheet columnist Joseph Peter Gonzales.
Amazingly, Aster not only became successful in the entertainment industry as she proved her mettle in the corporate world. After her tenure with OctoArts in Decemnber 1999, she helped her Japanese friend Koji Miyashita in putting up his business in the Philippines. Telco-related, Aster served as Managing Director for the Pilipinas International Marketing Services, Inc. (PIMSI) which was later renamed to Key Square, Inc. She started the company in 1997 with just a few staff members but due to her leadership, the numbers grew until the time she retired.
At present, Key Square, Inc. and its affiliates employs more than 400 people. Apart from this, she also became Mr. Miyashita’s industrial partner when he built TOKI, a popular Japanese restaurant located in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City in 2008 acting as the president. She was also instrumental in putting up Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetic Center (another of Mr. Miyashita’s business venture) which at present boasts of three branches already (Makati, BGC and Ortigas Center).
Aster had her share of the publishing field as well when she formed Global Publishing and Entertainment Corporation (GPEC) in 2001. GPEC did the editorial work then for “Pinoy Gazette”, the longest-running Filipino newspaper in Japan. It also gave birth to three glossy entertainment magazines called, “S Magazine”, “Inside Showbiz” and “Celebrity Living” which made an indelible mark in the market. While doing these corporate ventures, Aster didn’t leave the entertainment industry as she successfully mixed the two worlds. For years, it’s commendable how she was able to juggle her time and gave her best to the opposite fields. No matter how busy she was, she was able to connect the two. It can be said that all the experiences and exposure she got from the ‘biz, she successfully applied in the corporate world to her advantage.
When she officially retired from Key Square, Inc., the pride of Borongan went back to her first love, which is show business. Until now, she’s still writing and handling talents. A former member of the Philippine Artists Managers, Inc (PAMI), among the stars she is presently co-managing with Viva are: Jay Manalo, Cristina Gonzales, Sofia Romualdez, Jao Mapa, Alonzo Muhlach, Rey “PJ” Abellana, Jojo Abellana, Efren Reyes, Kier Legaspi, Rhen Escaño, Kenneth Co, Charles Dabao, Liz Alindogan, Aurora Sevilla, Aliyah Sevilla, Millen Galang, Frost Sandoval, Angels Morena, Micaela Raz and Stephanie Raz, Pamela Ortiz, 2019 Miss Earth Philippines Janelle Tee, among others.
Proving her natural versatility to adapt to changing platforms, Aster has also successfully entered the vlogging world in the middle of the pandemic in 2020. Her “TicTALK with Aster Amoyo” is steadily creating its niche with its personal, rare and in-depth interviews of local celebrities. Despite the limitations of getting guests due to the health situation in the country, it is commendable how she and her production team are able to pull it off. To her credit, YouTube has already bestowed on her its Silver Button Award for reaching 100,000 subscriptions (it is currently nearing 150,000.) Her present goal is to eventually reach the 1 million mark, which is not a remote possibility considering how passionate and hardworking she is.
Stopping is far from Aster’s vocabulary. She still has a lot left in the tank, so to speak. Like vintage wine, she becomes better and better in the passing of times. Over the years, she believes that in show business, love begets love, respect begets respect. That’s why she is very thankful of her long-standing good relationship with the stars, artists, talent managers and the industry people. Definitely, she will accomplish more in the coming days, proving that nothing is impossible if you really love what you do. (Joseph Peter R. Gonzales)