...the Asia's Pride

4 Filipino 'Asia's Got Talent' acts bring pride to the Philippines

By CNN Philippines Staff

15 May 2015

El Gamma Penumbra, Gerphil Geraldine Flores, Gwyneth Dorado, and the Junior New System brought pride to the country as they performed their finest pieces for the 'Asia's Got Talent' grand finals.

(CNN Philippines) - Filipino talent was abundant in the grand finals of TV talent show Asia's Got Talent as four out of nine acts were from the Philippines.

El Gamma Penumbra, Gerphil Geraldine Flores, Gwyneth Dorado, and the Junior New System brought pride to the country as they perform their finest pieces for the Asia's Got Talent (AGT) grand finals.

Other acts were from Singapore (Dance Thrilogy), Thailand (Talento), Mongolia (Khusugtun), China (Gao Lin snd Liu Xin), and Japan (Triqstar).

The winner will be announced on TVchannel AXN on Thursday (May 14). The prize includes $100,000 and an opportunity to perform at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

The audience at home will ultimately determine who wins the first season of Asia's Got Talent.

Asia's Got talent is hosted by Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez. Grammy-winning musician David Foster, Taiawanese-American Vaness Wu, former Spice Girl Melanie C. and Indonesian rock icon Anggun judged the competition.

Gwyneth Dorado

The talented 10-year old songstress has always been interested in music. She's all-around performer having learned how to lay the keyboard, piano and guitar -- mostly through Youtbe tutorials.

Asia's Got talent is the first competition she joined.

When she is not practicing for her performance, dorado is typically a student who tries hard to excel in school . 

For her final performance, Dorado performed a stripped-down version of Sia's hit "Titanium

El Gamma Penumbra

 

Filipinos first heard of shadow play group El Gamma penumbra when they became a finalist in Pilipinas Got Talent in 2013, but the whole world took notice when they became a finalist in the AGT.

The team members from Tanauan City, Batangas decided to join the AGt for the reason they wanted to experience the international TV stage and show the world what they can do as performers.

That simple dream led them to realize that they now have an opportunity to honor the Philippines and to make the Filipinos proud.

Judge Anggun pressed her Golden Buzzer for El gamma Penumbra, which automatically advanced them to the competition's semi-finals.

Their shadow play final performance featuring the song "Colors of the Wind" was a touching tribute to Mother nature. Judged moved to tears by the performance.

Gerphil Geraldine Flores

 

The 24 year old powerful soprano singer has always been hooked to the classical music because she feels it transports her to a different world.

When AXN asked Flores as to what she will do with the prize money if she wins, she said she will help her family. Aside from that, she wanted to help aspiring musicians to achieve their dreams.

Flores also joined Pilipinas Got Talent five years ago.

Flores is the second Filipino act to get the coveted Golden Buzzer when judge David Foster gave it to her-- immediately sending her to the semi finals.

She chose to sing "The Impossible Dream" from the musical Man of La Mancha for her final performance.

Junior New System

 

The funky dance group Junior New System prides themselves as a group who performs hiphop with a twist.

they teamed up on 2009, and since then, they have dominated the dance floor where they perform.

In the semis, junior New System received unanimous nods from the judges to head to the grand finals.

Prior to AGT, these young boys were named the grand winner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the Arts NCAA sayaw Pinoy in 2012 and 2013 in the hip hop category.

The Junior New system showed off their dance moves to a song mash-up while clad in American football uniform.

...the teen Pinay sensation in Spain

Pinay teen's first single a hit in Spain

 

By Sandra Sotelo,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau correspondent

03/28/2014

SPAIN – A Barcelona-based Filipina teenager is making a name for herself in Spain after her first single "Sha la la" was a hit in radio and television programs.

Maria Sagana continues to receive good reviews in Spain after her single landed on the Top 40 Music Charts and is steadily competing with well-known local and international artists.

"Ang sarap ng feeling na marami akong nare-receive na support from both Filipinos at Spanish. It really makes me strong. Imagine, yung biggest radio station, 40 Principales, they are promoting my music! And I am in many different write-ups sa Spanish press. Nakakatuwa!” she said.

Her video teaser received more than 50,000 views on its premiere.





She has been invited to attend a TV series premiere night and an artist's photo shoot. She has even flown all the way to Madrid for press interviews and meetings with production people, who want to get to know the girl and the talent behind the success of "Sha La La".

"I'm so happy to release my first single kasi di ba mahirap sa music industry ngayon. Sometimes you're up, sometimes down. Kaya I'm so happy na nabigyan ako ng break," she added.

Sagana has just turned 16 years old. She attends high school and combines academic studies with her voice lessons.

She started taking up singing lessons when she was 9. Her sister, Jackie Sagana, a music artist and composer herself, is her prime inspiration and model.

Jackie used to have her own music group and so her sister grew up tagging behind her in concerts, rehearsals, jam sessions with friends and families.

"I practically grew up with karaoke filling my home," the girl said.

Sagana is also active in school programs and activities in the Filipino community.





At the age of 14, she already caught the eye of some music and TV producers as her first song “Ready to Love” released via iTunes, was played several times as background song in a famous Spanish TV series.

 

...the American Idol season 13 hopefuls

2 girls with Pinoy roots sing for votes on 'Idol'

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

Posted at 02/20/2014

 

 

Malaya Watson and Marrialle Sellars chosen for Rush Week. Photo from the official website of American Idol.

MANILA – Malaya Watson and Marialle Sellars, the two girls with Filipinos roots who made it to the 13th season of “American Idol,” were among the contestants chosen by the judges for Rush Week.

Along with eight other girls, Watson and Sellars were given the chance to perform for America’s votes on Tuesday (Wednesday morning in Manila).

Performing sixth for the night, Sellars sang Katy Perry’s “Roar” which the judges thought did not showcase her real talent.

“Your voice and your ability to perform is better than that. I don’t think that was the best song for you. I don’t think that was the tempo for you. I feel like it all came off too karaoke,” said judge Keith Urban.

“Intonation, singing in tune is big. Try to stay more in tune. Sing in the pocket. The first time I saw you, I was so impressed. I didn’t see that superstar which I think you are,” said judge Harry Connick Jr.

While lauding the contestant's poise after she nearly tripped over her high heels at the end of her performance, judge Jennifer Lopez thought Sellars should have played the guitar just like what she did when she auditioned.

“I would love to see you come out and do that in your guitar so people would see what we saw in you. This is not the best showcase of who you are. But the tremendous poise in the end was crazy. You won my heart in that,” she said.

Last but not the least

With only one spot left in the top 10, the six remaining girls in the “chamber” were already feeling the pressure.

Amid the tense atmosphere, the judges said they are picking Watson to take the 10th spot, citing her powerful vocals.

Known as the tuba player from the Southfield High School in Michigan, Watson performed “Hard Times” by Ray Charles which earned the judges’ nods.

“Welcome to the top 10. The stress for everyone has been so great. I just want to give you a big ol' donut. We all know how talented you are. I look forward to seeing you settling into a space,” Connick said.

“You make glasses and braces seem so cool. It’s confidence, you can make it work. If America votes you through, I can’t wait to hear what you’ll sing next,” added Urban.

Lopez, meantime, described Watson’s performance as “epic.”

“There is no doubt that you are one of the big powerhouses of this competition. Every time you get up there, for me it’s just epic… I just want to say that you did a great job tonight. I have to say you’re amazing and I really hope we have you around for a long time,” she said.

The other female contestants who were also picked by the judges to perform were:

• Majesty York – “Happy” by Pharrell Wiliams
• Kristen O'Connor – “Turning Tables” by Adele
• Briana Oakley – “Warrior” by Demi Lovato
• Jena Irene Asciutto – “Paint it Black” by Rolling Stones
• Bria Anai Johnson – “Wrong Side of a Love Song” by Melanie Fiona
• Jessica Meuse – “Drink A Beer” by Luke Bryan
• Emily Piriz – “Paris” by Grace Potter and The Nocturnals
• M.K. Nobilette – “All of Me” by John Legend

On Wednesday (Thursday in Manila), 10 boys will also get to perform for America’s votes. Results will be revealed on Thursday (Friday in Manila).

 

...the X-factor Israel winner

Pinay caregiver wins Israel’s X Factor

            

 The Philippine Star

January 16, 2014

 

Photo from X Factor Israel’s Facebook page shows Filipina Rose Fostanes being congratulated by fellow contestants after she won the reality show’s first season in Tel Aviv yesterday.

MANILA, Philippines - A 47-year-old Filipino caregiver has emerged as the newest star of Israeli reality television, putting a human face on the thousands of foreign workers who toil away in menial, back-breaking jobs in Israel.

Rose Fostanes won the “X Factor Israel” on Tuesday with her crowd-pleasing renditions of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way,” “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics and Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You” in a duet with her mentor, Israeli singer Shiri Maimon.

“Thank you so much for those Israelis who like my voice ... thank you for giving me the chance to be in The X Factor Israel,” Fostanes said after she won.

She also thanked thousands of Filipinos who supported her through online and text voting. She acknowledged the presence of the Philippine Ambassador to Israel Generoso Calonge, along with her long time partner and sister who were present during the final night of the show in Tel Aviv.

Netizens showed their support and lauded Fostanes’ victory through her Facebook page, Osang/Rose XFactor Israel, where they posted comments congratulating her. The administrator of the fan page updated stories about her journey to the talent show since her audition.

Interviewed by phone patch a few hours after the competition, Fostanes told GMA News TV that she was still in shock. “My Israeli friend convinced me to try my luck to join the singing competition. My family was my inspiration to work abroad,” she said.

Israeli viewers of the country’s myriad of reality shows have grown accustomed to successful candidates from various backgrounds, including black-clad ultra-Orthodox Jews, Ethiopian immigrants and a German convert to Judaism who became a celebrity chef. But they’ve never seen someone like Fostanes before.

 

The diminutive woman with a booming voice has taken “X-Factor Israel” by storm and emerged as a national phenomenon. Known simply as “Rose,” she is mobbed by fans wherever she goes.

“It’s a big change in my life because before nobody recognized me, nobody knew me. But now everybody, I think everybody in Israel knows my name. And it is very funny,” she said.

Fostanes captured her audience’ hearts with a strong and soulful voice, as she belted out hits such as Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” and Lady Gaga’s “You and I.” She is among the final five contestants.

Fostanes arrived in Israel six years ago. She spends her days caring and cleaning for an ailing woman in her 50s. To save money, she lives in a crowded apartment in south Tel Aviv, a downtrodden area inhabited by foreign laborers, with seven others.

She said she has dreamed of singing since she was a child, but suffered discrimination because of her appearance.

“Sometimes I am telling myself, Is it true that it happened to me?” she said. “At least I can express and show the people that I have also talents and it’s not too late for me to shine.”

Fostanes said she has been a caregiver since the age of 23, working in Egypt and Lebanon before coming to Israel.

“My dream is to win this competition, but I have to go back to work as a caregiver,” she said before getting up on the arena stage to rehearse one of the numbers she was due to sing at the finals.

Fostanes has been compared to the Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 52, who shot to fame in 2009 after appearing on the TV show “Britain’s Got Talent” and performing a powerful rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from the musical “Les Miserables.”

Boyle’s giddy rise from unknown to multi-million-selling recording artist has been made into a musical.

Taguig fetes Rose

 

The Taguig City government feted Fostanes, who hails from Taguig’s Barangay Calzada-Tipas, for winning X-Factor Israel.

“We are all proud of Osang here in Taguig. She is indeed an epitome of hope, her powerful voice touching hearts not only of Israelis, but all of us,” said Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.

“We hope that she serves as an inspiration to all of us to reach out for our dreams,” she added.

Palace proud of Rose

 

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Malacañang is proud of Fostanes for giving the country another honor.

“We are certainly very proud of Rose, that she was able to prove herself,” he said in a news briefing in Malacañang.

“We know the situation she was in and we are very proud that she has again given the Philippines pride in the showcase of her talents. – AP, Charmie Joy Pagulong, Mike Frialde, Delon Porcalla

 

...the Grand Champion Performers of the World

 

Pinoy singers win top prizes at 'Talent Olympics'

By XIANNE ARCANGEL,

GMA News

July 23, 2013

 

 

Two Filipina singers took home the top honors in the recently concluded World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), a global singing competition also known as “The Talent Olympics.”

 

See http://www.wcopa.com/winners

Aldeza Ianna Dela Torre and Beverly Caimen were hailed as the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World and the Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World respectively at the event held from July 12 to 22 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California.

 

Aldeza Ianna dela Torre and Beverly Caiman

And they were not the only Filipino performers taking home gold medals from the event. The singing group Gollayan Sisters clinched the Senior Grand Champion Vocal of the World title while Filipino model Reynaldo Gorospe was awarded the Male Model of the World.

Recording artist Jed Madela, who became the first Filipino to win the top prize at the WCOPA in 2005, was also inducted into the Hall of Fame after garnering multiple awards in the competition in previous years.

Madela said on Twitter that 2013 marks the first time Filipino singers bagged the top two awards in the contest.

In an interview with GMA News Online, the Philippine team’s manager Charie Vega said the entire contingent went through a grueling audition process and training prior to the competition.

According to Vega, she and another talent scout screened more than 100 singers from December 2012 to choose who to send to California for the WCOPA.

“Our criteria for selecting contestants obviously included the person’s voice quality. But more than that, he or she also has to have a powerful stage presence to make him or her stand out among the crowd. After all, the WCOPA is not just some local contest but a global competition,” she said.

More than vocal prowess, Vega believes it is the Filipino singers’ “quiet confidence” that impressed the WCOPA judges.

“The singers are really very talented but they can also be very shy. But what you notice about them is when they get on stage, they suddenly gain confidence. Unassuming lang sila but when they sing, they sing with all they’ve got,” she said.

Following WCOPA rules, all performers were only given a minute to sing in front of the judges.

According to a post on Caimen’s Facebook fan page, the petite singer from Batangas “owned the stage with a riveting version of ‘One Moment in Time.’”

The post, which was originally written by one Gerry Mercado, said Caimen “convinc[ed] everyone in the room that she needed just that, a moment in time. She hit the high notes and people applauded.”

The Philippine team’s manager said the singers made such an impact on the audience that some talent agencies in the United States have offered to sign them up as contract artists immediately.

She expressed hope, however, that Philippine recording studios will be equally as enthusiastic about taking the singers under their wing when they return to the Philippines.

Hall of Famer Madela echoed the same sentiment for his co-winners when he tweeted, “Sana pagbalik ng mga Pinoy na nanalo sa WCOPA, bigyan naman ng pansin ng kapwa Pinoy dyan sa atin.”

After leaving the WCOPA judges breathless with their talent, the award-winning performers now have to face the challenge of winning over the hearts of their fellow Filipinos. — BM, GMA News

 

 

...the Voice UK semifinalist

Filipino advances to 'Voice UK' semis

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

06/08/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines -- A Filipino contestant in the British edition of the global singing franchise "The Voice" advanced to the competition's semi-finals round Saturday (Manila time), after impressing judges with his "soulful" performance.





Joseph Apostol had the four superstar-coaches of "The Voice UK" on their feet throughout his rendition of the Jackie Wilson hit "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher."

The 21-year-old student, who was born in the Philippines, was given a "Fast Pass" by his coach, Tom Jones, after the well-received performance. The "pass" earns Apostol a sure spot in next week's live performance show, without having to be voted in by the public.

Jones wasn't the only coach impressed with Apostol "going out of his comfort zone."

The Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue noted the "oddity" of Apostol being "a Filipino on a UK show, that sounds like an American soul singer."

"I think you are just coming out of your shell," he told Apostol.

Coach will.i.am mentioned fellow Black Eyed Peas member, apl.de.ap, who is also Filipino, saying the latter singled out Apostol as his favorite from Jones' team. "You are my favorite [too]," will.i.am said, addressing Apostol.

Pop singer Jessie J, meanwhile, expressed confidence that the lone Pinoy in "The Voice UK" will further improve.

"I love the way you are becoming your voice but I want to see it in your body too. Performance-wise, just take it there. I believe next week you will be able to show us that," she said.

Apostol is the latest Filipino to make waves in international talent competitions, following the likes of Jessica Sanchez, Cheesa Laureta, Ramiele Malubay, and Jasmine Trias.

 

...the Miss Saigon legend

NY Times raves about Lea Salonga at the Carlyle

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

June 6, 2013

FRAMED New York Times review at the Carlyle. PHOTO FROM Fletcher HC

Fellow singer Ogie Alcasid once joked in one of Lea Salonga’s local concerts that the Tony award winner had come a long way—“From Broadway Centrum to Broadway!”

In the 1980s, Salonga was among many starry-eyed teenagers who vied for attention in German Moreno’s afternoon youth show, “That’s Entertainment,” aired from the Broadway Centrum studio in Quezon City.

That she managed to rise above “That’s Entertainment” (not to mention another 1980s cult schlock fest, “Ninja Kids”) was a testament to her almost incredible gift, matched with an iron will, as illustrated in the mega-production “Miss Saigon” on the West End and Broadway.

‘Formidable’
These are the same personal qualities highlighted in a recent New York Times review.

In the prestigious paper’s May 25 issue, Stephen Holden wrote a rave review about Salonga’s performance in a three-week concert series at the Café Carlyle that ends tomorrow.

Holden described Salonga as “a performer whose formidable talent is matched by her unstoppable drive and keen intelligence.”

The Filipina’s third outing at the Carlyle, dubbed “Back to Before,” is a tribute to her idols Barbra Streisand and Ella Fitzgerald. Holden reported, “As Broadway divas go, [Salonga] is a cut above most.”

Holden said Salonga’s rendition of standards (for instance, “The Song Is You,” “Manhattan,” “How Long Has This Been Going On”) “[was] delivered with an almost machinelike perfection.”

Unapologetic

The critic said Salonga’s “unusually strong and focused interpretation” of “Greatest Love of All” (Whitney Houston’s early hit) was apt because its “message of unapologetic self-reliance resonated with (Salonga’s) show business biography.”

Holden, however, noted that, in treading gentler terrain like the lullaby “I Won’t Mind” or Stephen Sondheim’s oeuvre, Salonga “demonstrated her comfort in a more intimate, psychologically subtle mode.”

The piece was titled, “Serenely indomitable, whatever the challenge.”

 

...the Britain's Got Talent finalist

11-year-old Pinay makes it to live finals of 'Britain's Got Talent'

 

 

GMA News

May 28, 2013

After wowing the judges of "Britain's Got Talent" Series 7, an 11-year-old Filipina girl has advanced to the live finals round of the popular singing show on Monday.

 

 

 

Arisxandra Libantino from Aspley, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England first impressed judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David Walliams and Alesha Dixon during her audition when she sang Jennifer Hudson’s "One Night Only" from the Broadway show-turned-movie Dreamgirls.

The UK’s Daily Mirror quoted one judge as saying Arisxandra’s talent should be shared with the world.

"You blew the roof off the joint. Simon made a point earlier about kids being on the show but if you have a talent like yours, you've got to share that with the world!" Williams said, after giving the singing sensation a standing ovation.

Holden agreed, telling Arisxandra, "You tore the place up."

However, another judge noted that Arisxandra seemed nervous as she belted out Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” from the film "The Bodyguard."

Dixson noted that once Arisxandra overcame her nervousness, her vocals opened up and she was "on fire."

Hard-to-please judge Cowell was satisfied with Arisxandra’s performance, saying it was one of the best of the night.

"If you've got it, you've got it," Cowell told Arisxandra. - Patricia Denise Chiu, VVP, GMA News

...the kid from GenSan

Ellen DeGeneres invites GenSan kid to TV show

By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer

May 1, 2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – After singers Arnel Pineda, Charice Pempengco and Zendee, yet another Filipino singer will soon make his worldwide debut on the popular US talk show “Ellen” if plans push through.

In her invitation aired on her talk show and posted on YouTube Wednesday, TV host-comedian Ellen DeGeneres announced that she was searching for a young singer from the Philippines: “I am looking for you. Please come here. I want you to sing for me and my friends. You are amazing.”

Screengrab from http://www.youtube.com

DeGeneres was impressed by the pint-sized Filipino performer who sang Luther Vandross’ “Dance With My Father” with the soulfulness of an adult R&B warbler: “How beautiful is that? Such soul in that little boy.”

The boy’s name is Aldrich Lloyd “LA” Talonding, a 14-year-old high school student from the Mindanao State University in General Santos City.

In the video, which went viral in a matter of days, LA was accompanied by his cousin and guitarist James Walter Bucong, a 18-year-old college student also from the Mindanao State University in General Santos City.

The Philippine Daily Inquirer caught up with the two while they were attending and performing at a Christian youth camp in General Santos City. Talonding’s parents are church pastors.

Talonding said the response to their video and the consequent invitation from the “Ellen” show was “overwhelming.”

“We didn’t expect all this,” Talonding said in a phone interview with the Inquirer.

“We only made the video for our friends,” Bucong recalled. “We didn’t plan or intend for it to go viral.”
“My cousin James’ sister Cherry posted it on Facebook and it spread quickly,” Talonding recounted.
Another cousin Sharla Talonding posted it on YouTube.

On YouTube, it has garnered 933,089 hits, since it was posted on April 21.

On Facebook, it has received 60,500 likes and shared 62,900 times and elicited 13,900 comments.

Had they known it would go viral, they would have made a better, more polished video, Bucong confessed sheepishly.

“We just shot it in the terrace of our home in Barangay (village) Labangal. You can even hear a rooster crowing at the end of the song,” Bucong remarked. “LA and I are neighbors.”

Bucong said that he hopes that their trip to the United States would push through. “Our papers are being processed now.”

Next week, the duo will fly to Manila, for a string of TV guestings.

It’s not Talonding’s first time in Manila.

“I once joined a children’s choir competition for the NAMCYA (National Music Competitions for Young Artists) in Manila. I was in Grade 6 then,” Talonding said.

Going to Hollywood, however, was a bit too big a concept for the kid to grasp as of now.

“If we will be given the chance to go to the US . . . that would be great. But I wouldn’t know where to go, which places to visit . . . I am not yet that familiar with the tourist spots in the US,” Talonding admitted.

Bucong said that another YouTube sensation, Zendee, helped “Ellen” producers get in touch with him and his cousin.

Zendee who had just released her debut CD (“I Believe”) under Warner Music Philippines since guesting on “Ellen” late last year, sent the kid’s video to the show’s staff.

“I’m glad they liked it,” Zendee said.”I just wanted to help the kid. He’s my kababayan. I’m also from GenSan. I thought LA and James were good.”

Bucong and Talonding are both grateful to Zendee.

“Thank you for inspiring us and encouraging us to pursue our love for music,” said Talonding.