Final Day of Metro Manila Auditions: Agusan native chases fortune in singing to help other people

LIKE any gifted amateur singer, Asineth Buico’s ultimate dream is to one day earn a fortune in the lucrative world of the performing business. But beyond her desire to create a name as a performer, it is her passion in helping other people that inspires her to pursue the path to stardom.

The 28-year-old native of Agusan del Sur was among the hundreds who showcased their vocal skills during the final day of the Metro Manila leg of the auditions for OPM@PAGCOR, A Nationwide Search for the Total OPM Performer. She hoped to earn a ticket to the next round of the singing tilt with her emotional rendition of the song “Paano”.

“Pangarap ko po kasing makatulong sa mga nangangailangan sakaling palarin akong manalo sa contest na ito,” said Buico following what she described as a nerve-wracking moment in front of the five jurors led by celebrity couple Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragosa.

Buico, who works as marketing assistant in a private firm, related that it was an officemate who learned about the OPM@PAGCOR talent search on the internet and downloaded the application form for her. “Nagulat na lang ako nang iabot sa akin ng officemate ko yung application form kasi alam niyang marunong akong kumanta.” She registered for the auditions as contestant number 802.

On the day she went to Airport Casino Filipino to audition, Buico sought prayers from her nun friends and asked them to bless her and wish her luck. She vowed to share her winnings with their church and the less fortunate if she passes the auditions and advances further in the competition.

“Ibabahagi ko sa mga kaibigan kong madre at sa ilang nangangailangan ang ilang parte ng premyo kung susuwertehin ako sa contest na ito. Sa ngayon kasi, hindi ako ganap na makatulong nang malaki sa kanila dahil maliit lang ang sahod ko,” she explained.

Meanwhile, 19-year old Therese Elago, a freelance band vocalist, joined the auditions to seek for a more rewarding professional career in the local music industry.

Elago admitted being star struck with her idol Jessa Zaragosa the moment she faced the judges that she almost considered changing her audition piece in favor of a song popularized by the singer.

“When I saw Ms. Jessa Zaragosa, I thought of changing my original audition song and instead sing a piece popularized by her. Sobra kasing idol ko siya,” Elago said.

Single mother to a three-month-old baby boy, Elago believes that the talent search could help aspiring young singers like her realize their dream of establishing a glamorous profession as an OPM artist.

The OPM@PAGCOR nationwide talent search is one of the biggest projects undertaken by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) with the aim of giving talented Filipino singers a chance to break into the local music industry.

A cash prize of P300,000 awaits the grand winner of the contest, apart from a recording contract with a major recording outfit and a performance contract with PAGCOR.