No losers in ‘OPM@Pagcor’ contest

“OPM@Pagcor” finalists (from L): Jell Christie Sumagui, Renz Ruther Robosa, Faye Danica Abadicio, Charles Kevin Tan, Gilda Joy Togonon, Hadasa Von Camporaso, Steve Fernandez, Paullete Cambronero, Dioseyl Fornes, Russ Narcies Cabico, Arceli Bullo, Marie Joyce Tañaña, Louie Murphy Regala and Fred Abaquita Jr.

AFTER four months of auditions and preliminary rounds at different Casino Filipino branches around the country, the singing competition “OPM@Pagcor” announced the 14 finalists for the June 10 showdown at the Grand Theater of Airport Casino Filipino, Parañaque City.

Russ Narcies Cabico, Faye Danica Abadicio, Louie Murphy Regala, Dioseyl Fornes, Marie Joyce Tañaña, Renz Ruther Robosa, Jell Christie Sumagui, Paullete Cambronero, Hadasa Von Camporaso, Charles Kevin Tan, Arceli Bullo, Fred Abaquita Jr., Steve Fernandez and Gilda Joy Togonon bested more than 2,000 other hopefuls.

In a press con last week at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay, four of them gave a sample of their wares.

Deep-voiced Robosa sang Ogie Alcasid’s “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.” Abaquita Jr., whose lower register echoes Martin Nievera’s, belted out “Nasaan Ka Man.”

Bullo delivered a softer, more nuanced rendition of Regine Velasquez’s power ballad, “Ikaw.” Camporaso recalled the jukebox queens of the ’70s and ’80s with her medley of old Ilonggo tunes.

Pagcor assistant vice president for entertainment Bong Quintana admitted that, initially, he thought the singers needed a lot more polishing. But since attending a series of free workshops by Alcasid, Noel Cabangon, Vince de Jesus, and Jed Balsamo, he said, the aspirants have significantly improved in technique and stage presence.

Deciding factors

At this point, Quintana said, determination, aside from talent, will decide the winner.

Aside from fine-tuning their chops, the workshops also helped the finalists form new friendships.

“Previous contests I joined were all about competing. This is different; we’ve become friends,” said 24-year-old Fornes, who was pitted against Rachelle Ann Go for the grand finals of “Eat Bulaga’s” Birit Baby contest in 1998.

All 14 finalists will get cash prizes, sign on as entertainment talents of Pagcor, and perform at various Casino Filipino branches from six months to one year. They will become members of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit (OPM). The grand winner, in addition to a P300,000 cash prize and a recording contract with a major label, will also receive a P500,000 performing contract.