TWENTY years ago nung March 1, 2003 isang 14- year-old teen singer ang tinanghal na grand winner sa isang singing competition hosted by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez and aired on IBC13 produced by Viva Television ng Viva Group of Companies. Ito na ang simula ng pagbabago ng kanyang buhay at ng kanyang pamilya.

Her name: Sarah Geronimo (34). She was destined to be a star, one of the country’s top singer-performers and eventually, as an actress at celebrity endorser.

Bukod sa P1-M cash prize, ang most rewarding for her ay ang kanyang recording and build-up contract with Viva Records and Viva Artists Agency. Nasubaybayan ng publiko ang pagsikat ni Sarah sa tulong ng kanyang mother studio, ang Viva at ng ABS-CBN.

The multi-awarded singer-actress started singing when she was two years old. At nung four years old na siya ay sinimulan siyang samahan ng kanyang inang si Divine Tua-Geronimo na mag-audition sa iba’t ibang kiddie singing competitions kung saan siya madalas manalo.

When she was four years old ay naging bahagi siya ng isang children’s TV show, ang “Penpen de Sarapen,” and “Ang TV” when she was 7 years old.

In 1995, nagkaroon siya ng bit role sa “Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa” na pinagbidahan ni Camille Prats when she was 7. On same year, isa siya sa naatasang mag-perform sa pagdating sa bansa ni Pope John Paul II.

Sa gitna ng mga audition ay madalas siyang mag-perform sa mga mall at hotel lounges. Sumali rin siya sa “Tuklas Talino” ng PLDT kung saan naging empleyado ang kanyang amang si Delfin Geronimo.

Nang magsarili na sa kanyang career ang megastar na si Sharon Cuneta na siyang original build-up star ng Viva, the company headed by Boss Vic del Rosario was looking then for someone na mabi-build-up nila in the same mold as Sharon At dito dumating si Sarah. From Sharon to Sarah.

Nang makita ni Boss Vic si Sarah nang maging kampeon sa ‘Star for a Night,’ he focused his attention on the teen singer. He knew in his heart na tatanghaling malaking star si Sarah just like what he did to Sharon. Sarah has become a pop superstar.

Three years ago ay nag-asawa si Sarah sa Fil-Italian singer-actor, triathlete and entrepreneur na si Matteo Guidicelli sa isang secret Christian wedding sa BGC in Taguig City. Naging dahilan ito ng tampuhan nila ng kanyang parents na sina Delfin at Divine Geronimo.

Although hindi pa nare-resolve ang problema sa pagitan ni Sarah and her husband na si Matteo with her parents, hindi kinakalimutan ng singer, actress, dancer na pasalamatan at i-acknowledge ang kanyang parents laluna ngayong nagsi-celebrate siya ng kanyang ika-20 anniversary in the business.

Last Wednesday, March 1 ay nagtungo si Sarah sa tanggapan ng Viva para personal ding pasalamatan ang kanyang itinuturing na second family laluna ang Viva big boss na si Boss Vic na para na rin niyang ama kung ituring.

Ang pagbisita ni Sarah sa Viva office was not only to thank Boss Vic and the Viva Family sa pag-aalaga sa kanya since day 1 kundi para na rin pag-usapan ang iba niyang mga proyekto na kanyang sisimulan anyday soon.

Masayang-masaya si Sarah sa takbo ng kanyang career for the past 20 years and she’s looking forward to be celebrating her anniversary in showbiz for the next decades to come.

Sarah is turning 35 on July 25.