Philippines posts double wins in int’l karaoke tilt in Ireland

Joel Cruz and Lyda Shyla Roxas. Pocholo Concepcion

Joel Cruz

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’ debut participation in the annual Karaoke World Championships (KWC) has yielded double wins for the country after Joel Cruz and Lyda Shyla Roxas emerged first and third runner-up, respectively, in the male and female categories at the 2011 finals held recently in Killarney, Ireland.

The Philippines’ feat marked the first time since KWC was launched in Finland in 2003 that one country had both its male and female contestants landing among the Top 5 winners.

Lyda Shyla Roxas

The competition had 23 participating countries and a five-member international judging panel.

All finalists were asked to sing four songs. For his final piece, Cruz interpreted Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge over Troubled Water”; Roxas covered Heart’s “Alone.” Both performances have been posted on YouTube.

KWC’s aim is “to annually produce a male and female karaoke world champion in a highly competitive but entertaining manner while respecting copyright laws and the rights of songwriters.”

It is said to be the world’s biggest karaoke event.