Named SM’s Little Star during the pageant’s Grand Finals held recently at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia was Queenie Charmaine Sulit. It was indeed a shining moment for the talented girl when she was proclaimed as SM’s Little Star.

Five-year-old Queenie, who represents SM City Manila, showed a lot of star quality when she performed a Hawaiian dance number during the talent portion, and went on to win the judges’ nod. Queenie, who wants to become a model and actress in the future, says that it was her mom and dad who taught her how to dance.

As SM’s Little Star, Queenie brought home P200,000 worth of cash and Sodexho Gift Passes; P12,000 worth of Gift Certificates from Toy Kingdom; a Birthday Party Package from Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center; and Birthday Party Gift Certificates from SM Storyland.

The Grand Finals was the culmination of a month-long search wherein more than 5,000 kids aged 4-7 all over the country registered to join the search. Thirteen pairs were then chosen during the regional finals last Sept. 20. During the Grand Finals, the judges – Trumpets President Audie Gemora, Popular Teen Star and singer Sam Concepcion, and Talent Manager Girlie Rodis – had a hard time choosing over the cute, adorable, and talented finalists. Criteria for judging included 40% for Talent; 30% for Personality; and 30% for Star Quality.

Other SM Little Star winners were Mikhaela Sophia Harder of SM City Iloilo, First Runner-Up; John Aaron Novillas of SM City Sta. Rosa, Second Runner-Up; Carl Angelo Artus of SM City Pampanga, Third Runner-Up; and Gabrielle Luis Ramos of SM City Bacolod, Fourth Runner-Up.

Mikhaela, 7, who says she wants to become a doctor someday, wowed the crowd with her Hawaiian number; while John Aaron impressed the audience with his acting abilities with his performance about his dying mother. Carl Angelo, 7, moon walked like Michael Jackson; while Gabrielle, 4, amazed the audience with her rendition of “I Have Nothing” in her own Whitney Houston way.

Apart from the cash, gift certificates, and party package prizes, all winners will get a chance to develop their talents through a 1-year talent management contract from Stages Product Specialists, Inc., and a Music Academy Scholarship from Trumpets Workshop. Winners will also learn to be a star on the lanes and the rinks with a bowling scholarship from the SM Bowling Center; and a day of unlimited ice skating from the SM Ice Skating Rinks.

The SM Little Star pageant’s major sponsors include the SM Department Store, Toy Kingdom, SM Storyland, and the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center. Other sponsors are Stages Production Specialist, Trumpet Music Academy, Jollibee, Purefoods Chicken Nuggets, SM Bowling Center and the SM Ice Skating Rink. QTV 11, Events Incorporated, The Sweet Life, X-FM, and Jam 88.3 are the media partners.