Since auditions have been announced last month, the country’s youngest and brightest performers continue to show off their best gifts at this year’s biggest talent search for kids.

Being declared as an SM Little Star is the cherry on the icing, of course. But more and more kids—and their parents—are realizing it’s also the once in a lifetime chance of learning with the experts, traveling, and bonding with other kids and families that makes joining the contest even more memorable.

SM Supermalls Marketing Manager Lyn Lazaro happily shares, “We are the only (talent search) that has college scholarship grants for the five winners. Actually, every year our prizes keep on getting bigger. This year, we’re throwing in a trip to China, and Php200,000 worth of cash. And from the elimination to the grand finals, cash prizes also await our young participants.”

Ready to let your child shine? Then, hop over to your nearest SM Supermall where preliminary auditions are still ongoing. Here are 5 winning reasons to join now:

In photo, SM Little Stars 2014 Boy grand winner Jun Carlos Gumacal and SM Little Stars 2014 Girl Grand Winner Chun Sa Angela Jung of SM City Clark (right) received their cash prizes during last year’s awarding ceremony. Photo courtesy of SM.

1. My child gets the chance to win Php150,000 and other awesome cash prizes along the way.

Right at the start of their SM Little Stars journey, kids who make it to the Regional Finals will be receiving Php10, 000 each while those who reached this level but didn’t do as well will be rewarded consolation prizes of Php 2,500 for doing their best.

During Finals Night, the SM Little Stars Girl and Boy grand winners will be awarded with Php150,000 each. First runner-up will be get Php75, 000; Second runner up, Php 50, 000; and Third runner up, Php 30, 000. Consolation prizes of Php 4, 000 each will also be given away to those eliminated during the grand night.

2. My kid gets to enjoy the latest toys and gadgets courtesy of gift certificates from Toy Kingdom or SM Store.

The fun continues as kids get to bring home their favorite toys courtesy of Toy Kingdom or SM Store. From the preliminary or mall-wide elimination rounds up to the Regional Finals, the little ones will truly get excited about the gift cards they’ll be taking home.

On Finals Night, SM Little Stars Girl and Boy grand prizewinners will each receive Php50, 000 worth of SM gift certificates and Php15, 000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards. The first runner up will receive Php25, 000 worth of SM gift certificates, and Php10, 000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards; Second runner up will get Php30, 000 worth of SM gift certificates and Php8, 000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards; and the third runner-up will receive Php30, 000 worth of SM gift certificates and Php6,000 worth of Toy Kingdom gift cards.

3. My little one could have a bright future with a free college scholarship.

Always placing premium on the value of a good education, SM Supermalls made sure that winners get prizes that will benefit the young ones long after their stint in the talent search is over.

This year, the prizes have leveled up again as SM Little Stars throws in full college scholarships courtesy of the National University for the grand winners and big discounts for the second and third runners-up.

Lazaro shares, “SM Supermalls strongly holds its belief that education is a person’s strongest weapon against poverty. Extending their “socio-civic role” to the society, SM Little Stars will provide the most valuable gift that a child can get and that is

education.”

The dynamic batch of SM Little Stars 2014 winners strike happy poses during their fun trip to China last year. Photo courtesy of SM.

4. We’ll bond together with an all-expenses paid holiday trip to China.

Dreaming of visiting the land of emperors and dragons with your child? Get the chance to visit this captivating part of Asia and soak up its rich cultural offerings and kid-friendly attractions.

The Girl and Boy Grand Winners, up to the third runner-up, will each be awarded with a trip to China for two. The five-days and four-nights holiday will be inclusive of round-trip tickets, tour itinerary, and hotel accommodation with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. During the guided China tour, the grand winners will also have the opportunity to interact and perform with their SM Little Stars counterparts at SM Xiamen.

5. My child will truly shine and let her/his dreams come true with a TV5 talent contract.

To nurture their talents, the SM Little Star winners will be inking a one-year talent management contract with TV5 where the children get the chance to appear in the network’s kid-oriented programs.

The surprise, however, isn’t over once the winners have been declared during the grand finals. More educational and family-bonding experiences at the SM Supermalls are up ahead for the kids and their families.

“These fun experiences will be very worthwhile and memorable as these will have a huge impact on their self-improvement and the way they relate to fellow kids. WE have seen how, even after SM Little Stars, the parents and the kids remain good friends. SM Little Stars exudes positive atmosphere and attitude not only to the kids but to the parents as well,” she added.

Ready to realize your child’s dreams of being the next SM Little Star?

Check out the next audition date for the ultimate talent search for kids at www.SMLittleStars.com.ph.

SM Little Stars is brought to you by TV5, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Toy Kingdom, Microtel, and National University.