Singer Emmalyn Estrada makes her acting debut in the Hallmark Channel original movie “The Wishing Tree”. In the moive, Professor Evan Farnsworth (Jason Gedrick) works tirelessly at a prestigious boarding school in Maine, dedicating all his time to helping his students believe in themselves—even when he doesn’t have any hope left after the death of his wife two years earlier. Accepting a job to teach the students left behind during Christmas vacation, including talented scholarship student Juliet (singer Emmalyn Estrada), nerdy outcast Albert (Amitai Marmorstein, “50/50”) and privileged bad boy Drew (Richard Harmon), Farnsworth quickly faces a challenge when Drew gets into trouble. Upset his wealthy parents ditched him for a Paris skiing vacation, he takes his anger out on the neighboring town’s ancient Wishing Tree, a bare tree decorated with handwritten notes containing the townspeople’s greatest holiday wishes. A loved tradition, it doubles as a fundraiser for needy families, depending on donations from eager wish-makers.

After spending a night in jail, Drew lets Farnsworth help him turn his negative attitude around by agreeing to volunteer with the Wishing Tree. Soon, Drew, Juliet and Albert are becoming best friends as they help make Wishing Tree a success, under the thankful watch of Chairperson Madelyn (Teryl Rothery). Then everyone, including Farnsworth, is blindsided when Drew’s icy mother arrives to make sure Farnsworth is fired, upset after Drew’s stint with the law. Faced with the possibility of losing his job, Farnsworth is left with nothing as he packs his bags. But with the support of the attractive young theater teacher (Erica Cerra), his dedicated students, and the spirit of his late wife, Farnsworth eventually finds that with the Wishing Tree, anything is possible.

Look for the movie to play on the Hallmark Channel through the holiday season.

The Wishing Tree Promo

More about Emmalyn Estrada
Canadian pop singer Emmalyn Estrada made a name for herself when her first single, “Get Down,” entered Billboard’s Canadian Hot 100 chart in 2009. The younger sister of pop star Elise Estrada, Estrada competed in the 2009 Beat Music Awards hosted by Vancouver’s The Beat 94.5 and won the competition. “Get Down” was nominated in the Dance/Urban/Rhythmic category of the 13th annual Canadian Radio Music Awards. Originally from Vancouver, B.C., Estrada is of Filipino descent. She has performed at the World of Dance Vancouver, the Cloverdale Amphitheatre for the Canada Day concert in 2011, and at AXIS 2011 at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company. Her second single, “Don’t Make Me Let You Go,” debuted in November 2010. Most recently, she performed with Boombox Saints as they opened for J.Cole in Vancouver, and also makes a small cameo in Boombox Saints’ latest music video for “Late Night Creep.”