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Four OPM@PAGCOR Metro Manila grand finalists to vie for the “Total OPM Performer” title |
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Four young promising singers advanced to the Grand Finals of the “OPM@PAGCOR, A Nationwide Search for the Total OPM Performer” after delivering outstanding performances during the Metro Manila semi-finals competition recently held in Airport Casino Filipino, Paranaque City.
Louie Murphy Regala, Faye Danica Abadicio, Dioseyl Fornes, and Russ Narcies Cabico were named the top four winners in the search’s Metro Manila leg. They bested 12 other semi-finalists and the more than 700 hopefuls who showed up during the five-day OPM@PAGCOR auditions in Paranaque.
They join the OPM@PAGCOR’s elite circle of 14 grand finalists nationwide who will vie for the title “Total OPM Performer” on June 10 at the Grand Finals Night to be held at the PAGCOR Grand Theater in Airport Casino Filipino.
According to the winners, their passion and love for music motivated them to join the nationwide talent search.
Cabico, who performs in theatrical and musical plays at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, said he has been into music since he was a kid. “Kaya ang pinili ko talagang song, yung ‘Nais Ko.’ Dahil sa title pa lang sinasabi na nais kong kumanta, ito ang nais kong gawin at nais kong matupad ang pangarap na ito.”
Fornes, whose mother died when she was 11 years old, also shared that aside from the happiness singing brings her, it also helps her finance her siblings’ needs. “Syempre, panganay ka, tapos wala na kayong nanay, kailangan mo talagang tumulong. Tinutulungan ko yung father namin na mapag-aral ang mga kapatid ko,” she said.
Regala, Abadisio, Fornes and Cabico each received P25,000 cash prize plus plaque. They will become part of the May 28 to June 4 OPM performance workshops with some of the local music industry’s veterans and luminaries as mentors.
The OPM@PAGCOR grand prize winner will receive P300,000 in cash, a performance contract with PAGCOR, and a recording contract in a major music recording company.
APO Hiking Society member Jim Paredes, who was one of the jurors during the Metro Manila semi finals round, said the performance of all 16 contestants were very remarkable.
“It was an exciting competition. I was surprised kasi dikit na dikit ang laban. We all know that a lot of Filipinos are great performers. But I think this OPM contest was able to find the crème of the crop among amateurs. In just several workshops, they can all be professionals,” he said.
Paredes, former president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, added the “OPM@PAGCOR, a Nationwide Search for the Total OPM Performer” will not only be a venue for discovering new talents but will also help boost the local music industry.
“It would help our music industry a lot primarily because this is strictly ‘pagalingan.’ You can come from anywhere. Basta magaling kang kumanta, pasok ka. That’s the most important,” Paredes stressed.
OPM veteran Nanette Inventor meanwhile said the OPM@PAGCOR allows young and amateur performers to showcase their talents. “I think PAGCOR and OPM believe much in Original Pilipino Music that is why they embarked on a singing contest like this. Sa dinami-dami ba naman ng mga Pilipinong mang-aawit, tama lang na i-share natin ang kaya nating gawin,” she said.
Meanwhile, Paredes encouraged the other contestants to never give up. “Rejection is part of our lives. If you didn’t win now, but you feel that dream is important, then go for it. Never surrender. Natatapos ang career nyo kapag sumusuko kayo. But as long as you keep trying anything can happen,” he said.
“I think sa pag audition, malaking bagay yung kahit nare-reject ka eh bangon ka pa rin ng bangon. Pabilisan lang ng pagbangon hanggang dumating ka sa tamang oras at manalo ka,” Inventor added.
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