Review: AFB’s Amateur Idol Showcase
[Written by Dale Butler]
The Vasco Da Gama Club will never be the same again after a four hour amateur idol showcase of talent on Saturday, November 1, organized by The Association of Filipinos in Bermuda.
Eleven Filipino soloists threw the Oxford Dictionary, filled with superlatives, at the audience as they arrived well-prepared, full of energy, and with great poise and eye control that turned the night into euphoria, elation, outburst, excitement, passion, and happiness. I thought for a moment I was at Rizal Park or the Philippine Arena listening to some of their legends: Lea Solonge, Sarah Geronimo, and Gary Valenciano, who would have loved the night’s riveting performances, and the placard carriers “flown in” on jumbo jets to support their favourite contestant.
The event was well organized. It started with a prayer from Rowena Comber and the MC, Josef Daos, was super efficient along with the support staff for the judges. Add to all of this two bands, all for just $20.
The judges’ criteria was one of the most detailed I have ever seen and I was pleased to be a judge along with Oliver “Ace” Cepeda, Younis Hussain, Ariel Timbal [last year’s idol winner, who sang], and Tyler-Roy Wilson. The four criteria had detailed descriptions of expectations and were weighted as follows:
- Vocal Quality and Technique [40%]
- Stage Presence and Confidence [30%]
- Song Interpretation and Expression [20%]
- Overall Impact [10%]
Once the contest started, there was no turning back. The MC [Joseph Daos] and technical assistant for sound/mic/tracks and professional stage lights, etc [Rex Arano, Neptalie Gonzales & Buddy Flores] worked hand-in-hand once the contestants stepped on the stage and woke up the sleepy town.
The contestants were allowed to sing in their native language or English. Some of the songs you can look up included:
- Bulag Pipi at at Bingi
- Ang Buhay Ko
- A Basil Valdez song entitled You
- Paano Dulce to name but a few
- Dito Sa IsangTabi
- If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys
Contestants had great voices, dressed well, and looked confident, and their love and passion for the songs they chose excited a full house. The singers included:
- Christopher Yapit Jr.: The Gourmet Voice
- Sharie Anahaw: Queen of Harmony & Cuisine
- Michelle Santos: The Caregiving Voice
- Michaelson Villar: Balladeer Barista
- May Joy Malinao: Scrubstar Chanteuse
- Jhune Cabezas Jr.: Brotherhood’s Vocalist
- Neil Andre Buladaco: Soloist from the South
- Arianne Villagracia: The Nightingale Voice
- Airyn Ramos: Soul Diva of Cavite
- Shanel Calos: Muntinlupa’s Songstress
- Joseph Salva: Rhythm & Retail Crooner
The Philippines is known for karaoke, excellent music programmes in their schools, church choirs, and soloists who attain standards high enough to gain entry into European music competitions where they place well. Time, discipline, excellent teaching, and keen students have prepared them for such elevations. For example, the University of the Philippines Madrigal Singers won the European Grand Prix for Choral Music twice, in 1997 and 2007. [Take note, they are the only choir to date to have won it twice.]
In 2018, the Imusicapella Chamber Choir won the Grand Prix and took the first prize in the Vocal Ensemble Category, Best in Stage Performance, and the Audience Prize. It is no wonder as to why the Bermudian performers entered the stage with confidence and captured the hearts, minds, and applause of the audience, who never stopped shouting, clapping, and dancing when they sang. Hysteria.
When the scores were tabulated, the semi-final round had five contestants as follows:
- Michelle Santoc
- Sharie Anahan
- Neil Andre Buladaco
- Arianne Villagracia
- Mary Joy Malinao
As they changed and prepared for the semi-finals, we were entertained by two bands playing a variety of music:
Band 1: Full of Grace
- Marlon Crisostomo: Drums
- Lex Celso: Guitar
- Rodel Lopenzo: Bass
- Clariz Enriquez: Keyboards
- Vanessa Cruz: Vocals
- Shelley Marine: Vocals
Band 2: Jeremiah 29: 11
- Rex Arano: Vocals
- Ann Billones: Vocals
- Raina Barboza: Vocals
- Jerico Jocson: Rhythm/vocals
- Ace Cepeda: Lead guitar & Keyboards
- Christon Samala: Bass
- Randel Pesigan: Drums
When the semi-final scores were being tabulated, we were surprised to see singers Raina V. Barbosa and Anne Billones who kept us entertained. The crowd just loved them, as dancing took over for such a long time that many forgot the winner had not even been announced!
I made a few comments to the packed house, but it was impossible to get the crowd to be quiet. They were hot!
Finally, the winner was announced and as a judge, I was not surprised because Neil Andre Buladaco picked a song that used the full range of his voice and he sang it with passion and energy. Although he has only been in Bermuda for two months, his “jumbo jet” of fans/friends quickly surrounded him.
In closing, I salute Ryan DeJesus, the President of the Association, and his team, who had a well-organized evening and some very good prizes for the winners. It was a pleasure to be a judge and see and hear so much serious and professional talent in one place.
Maraming salamat po sa inyong pagbahagi sa amin ng inyong talento. Ngayong gabi ay napatunayan naming lahat na ang mga Philipino ay nararapat na bigyan ng halaga na maging parte ng mga pinilakang-tabing sa buong mundo.
To the performers I say thank you for sharing your talent with us. You are all proof that Filipinos deserve space on stages worldwide.
- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda Music. His current research titles include: Celeste Robinson, Bermuda’s Calypso Queen and Ernie Leader. In 1995, when the Principal of Dellwood Primary, he ensured that the growing number of overseas students had a chance to share their language and culture which led to many organizations asking how to book them to perform. One result was his suggestion to form an association which they did as mentioned above and he also did a book in colour which was popular, “Filipinois in Bermuda”. He has visited the Philippines numerous times with his wife, Marrah, and met numerous leaders and singers.
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