GIAN Marla Gloria
When the ninth edition of Euro Pop Contest “Berliner Perle” is held in November, the Philippines will be showcasing the talents of six Filipino singing artists.
“This is the first time that the organizers of the yearly competition is inviting participants from this part of the world,” reports Charie Vega, managing director of Vega Entertainment Productions, which secured the country’s participation in Euro Pop. “The organizers of this popular singing competition invited the Philippines.”
How tilt grew
Euro Pop, brainchild of music aficionado Viktor Leis, started in 2005 with the end in view of promoting young European singers.
Leis gathered singers from Germany, Russia, Austria, England, Italy, Sweden, Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia, Romania, Malta, Spain, Ukraine, Poland, Bulgaria, Armenia, Belarus, and the Czech Republic.
In 2009, the tilt grew bigger with the inclusion of participants from neighboring countries Kazhakstan, Aizerbaijan and Israel.
This year, looking much farther, Leis discovered the rich pool of Philippine talents.
Groundwork
CHACHA Cañete
Says Vega, “The organizing committee noted the incredible [number of] exceptional singers here. I got in touch last year with Mr. Leis, who expressed his interest in inviting the Philippines to the competition. Thus, we laid the groundwork.”
Held annually in Berlin, Euro Pop contestants compete in three age group divisions—10 to 13 years old, 14 to 17, and 18 to 24. They are required to present two compulsory performances—a hit song and an original composition.
The Grand Prix winner brings home 500 euros and gets to spend two days in Berlin to record the winning song, which will then be presented in all top music Internet portals and sold in major music stores in Europe.
Springboard
“More than the prize,” adds Vega, “the contestants gain the experience and distinction of having represented the country in a major singing competition in Europe. This provides a springboard for a great singing career.”
The Philippine representatives were handpicked by Vega after a rigorous series of auditions. “I chose them for their talent—voice quality and level of performance. They will undergo further training to hone their skills … because we want to present the best that the country can offer,” she says.
Selected were: Chacha Cañete (10-13 years old division), Gleenette Gaddi (14-17 years old), and Ana Katrina Ramsey and Gian Marla Gloria (18-24 years old).
Vega is searching for two more—another for the 10-13 division and still another for the 14-17 division.
Once the team is complete, before they leave for Berlin, the singing talents will be introduced to the public through a series of mall shows.