Rising Stars finalists patiently waits for the results of the nail-biting grand finals show. (From left: Remy Luntayao, Lee’Anna Layumas, Krezia Toñacao, and grand winner Rocelle Solquillo) YUJI GONZALES
The last will be the first, they say.
Such saying was true in the case of Bacolod native Rocelle Jeanne Solquillo, who auditioned last in her barangay (village) and emerged the first grand winner of TV5’s singing competition “Rising Stars Philippines” on Saturday afternoon in Novaliches, Quezon City.
Despite being an early crowd favorite during the live shows, Solquillo said it never occurred to her that she would take home the coveted crown or even make it to the final four of the nationwide search.
“Actually I was the last to audition in our village. I did not expect that I will make it this far,” she told INQUIRER.net.
As champion, Solquillo won a cash prize of P500,000 and a trip to Hong Kong with a chance to ink a deal with an international recording company, among other prizes.
With her powerful rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s “I Am Changing” from the musical film “Dream Girls,” Solquillo bested three other finalists, namely Remy Luntayao of Laguna (fourth place), fellow Bacolodnon Lee’Anna Layumas (third place) and Krezia Toñacao of Quezon City (runner-up).
“Your performance really brought us up there,” said judge Jaya in her comment. “[Your voice] will go somewhere far, far away.”
“You really touched us and I will speak for all of us,” she added in behalf of her cojudges radio DJ Papa Jack, TV5 entertainment head Wilma Galvante and Center for Pop Music president and CEO Gwen Albarracin.
Solquillo said the entire experience has been overwhelming and bittersweet, calling it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“I joined ‘Rising Stars’ to make my family proud and to be an inspiration to the upcoming generations,” she said.
With her powerful vocals, Solquillo has been dubbed the “next Charice” throughout her stint in the competition.
Rising Stars grand winner Rocelle Solquillo belts out Jennifer Hudson’s “I Am Changing” for her final performance. YUJI GONZALES
Rising Stars grand winner Rocelle Solquillo pours her heart out on stage for one last time after being awarded. YUJI GONZALES
Power of dreams
Despite having different vocal qualities, the four female powerhouse finalists shared one thing in common—their belief in the power of their dreams.
As in Solquillo’s case, third placer Layumas of Bacolod was also the last to audition in their area. She even recalled how she braved strong rains and got sick.
Layumas, who belted out Mariah Carey’s “I Want to Know What Love Is” for her final act, also shared that she auditioned in a popular singing contest before trying her luck in “Rising Stars.” Unfortunately, she was disqualified due to personal reasons.
“I thought I wanted to give up this dream but then something pushed me. I think God really wants this plan for me. I think this is what I was born to do,” she said.
For runner-up Toñacao, being in the finals was a second chance to make her dreams come true. The 13-year-old diva from Quezon City, who impressed the crowd with her take on Fantasia Barrino’s “I Believe,” did not qualify when she first auditioned at a mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.
But owing to the show’s “phone to fame” mobile auditions, the youngest singer in the competition made her way back to the game.
“Of course I feel super blessed and happy, considering that thousands have auditioned all over the country. Despite everything that I have been through, I am happy that I am here,” she said.
Rising Stars finalists join forces in their “Edge of Glory” performance. (From left: Lee’Anna Layumas, grand winner Rocelle Solquillo, Remy Luntayao, and Krezia Tuñacao) YUJI GONZALES
As to fourth placer Luntayao, joining “Rising Stars” was hitting two birds with one stone.
The Laguna native, who performed Lani Misalucha’s “Saan Darating Ang Umaga,” said she wanted to help her mother, who had terminal kidney disease, by doing what she loved the most.
“When ‘Rising Stars’ went to our school for auditions, I was not really going to try it out because of a prior commitment,” she said. “My teachers encouraged me to join, and I ended up being the lone student from our school who got accepted.”
Even before the grand finals show started, Solquillo said she would continue singing regardless of the results and encouraged everyone to pursue their dreams no matter what.
“Dreams are not limited. Aim high to reach your dreams because anything is possible,” she said.
Host Ogie Alcasid led the final episode of the inaugural season of “Rising Stars,” with cohosts Venus Raj and Mico Aytona. “Rising Stars” first aired in March on TV5. RC