RIYADH — The Asosasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (APM) recently successfully staged Bagong Kampeon 2017 here.

The 3rd season of the singing competition for OFWs (following Season 1 in 2015 and Season 2 in 2016) featured 17 contenders from Riyadh and the Eastern region.

This year’s Bagong Kampeon was Reymond Guillena, who belted out Whitney Houston’s ‘Where Do Broken Hearts Go?’ thereby besting 16 other singing OFWs who hail from Bulacan to Bohol, from Cebu to Zamboanga del Norte and from Camarines Sur to Lanao del Sur.

Reymond, who works as a waiter in one of the Saudi capital’s popular restaurants, was awarded $1,000 in cash (including a mock up) and a Riyadh-Manila-Riyadh air ticket (in addition to a mock up as well) courtesy of PAL through its manager for Saudi Arabia, Ricky Pacquing, among many other prizes.

Those winning the runners up plums were Almira Roa (awarded second place for performing “Hiram”) and Abigail Sendaydiego (awarded third place for singing ‘Try It On My Own’ and also announced as People’s Choice after garnering more than 23,000 likes on Facebook).

Reymond’s work as an OFW, and his efforts and hard work to participate in rehearsals and voice coaching sessions right after his work shift and on weekends, exemplify many an OFW’s sacrifices to strike a work-life balance in these parts – sacrifices which he shares with other contenders, some of whom had to travel to the capital from the Eastern region.

The competition’s top 5 also included Precioso Revilla (fourth place) and Samuel Paul Sarabia (fifth place). Pres and Sam sang ‘Impossible Dream’ and ‘Ordinary People’, respectively.

Aside from Reymond, Almira and Abigail were also awarded round trip tickets by PAL while each of the night’s 5 winners received APM plaques, winner trophies and gift checks for dental services worth SR1,000 each, courtesy of Dr. Elenita Salicubay.

Other songs performed that eventful night, which was hosted by Robin Magno at the Second Philippine International School included OPM Metropop classics ‘Anak, ‘Magsimula Ka’, ‘May Bukas Pa’ and ‘Bulag, Pipi at Bingi’, popular ditties ‘Kahit Isang Saglit’ and ‘Hanggang’ as well as recent hits ‘Wag Ka Nang Umiyak’, ‘Himala’, and ‘Magpakailanman’. Other English language songs that made it to the contenders’ choices included ‘Go The Distance’, ‘When We Were Young’ and ‘The Greatest Love of All’.

These songs were sung by the rest of the contenders: Michael Guiuo, Aldrin Mejares, Jerryza Quillpas, Ferdinand Capuyan, Victor Palacio, Alex Balane, Leo de la Cruz, Roldan Escol, James Michael Sy, Chairon Marcelo, Eljie Laquino and Rodel Estrellan.

Each contender was adjudged by a panel of musical experts in their own rights, which included Enrico Valdecantos Abad (noted voice coach), Dennis Cesar Mendoza (seasoned singer/performer), Ronie de Castro (Bagong Kampeon 2015 grand winner), Maritess Mamaclay (Bagong Kampeon 2016 grand winner) and Richard Balgos (multi-awarded singer/performer). They strictly adhered to a set of criteria that included voice quality (40%; vocal strength and control, pitch, tone, audibility and voice projection), style and artistry (30%; singing technique, presentation of a strong stylistic interpretation making the song his or her own), performance (20%; appearance, stage presence, confidence, facial expression and appropriate body movements), diction (5%; good articulation, pronunciation of words/lyrics with clarity) and audience appeal (5%; ability to captivate the audience and to create impact with his or her performance).

The Riyadh chapter of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA), led by its president, Jesse Bryan To, tabulated the judges’ scores.

Before the winners were announced by Enrico Valdecantos Abad, who chaired the panel of judges, the Consul General of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, Iric Arribas wished the contenders luck, gave an inspirational message, and praised them for their world-class performances.

Many individuals and groups including Sta. Lucia Land, LM’s Catering Services, HMG Records, Guardians International, 18 Centuries, TFC through JP Aleta, 90.50 Hearts FM, Gerome Lago, Danny Carmen, Carlos Bihag, Ferns Baul as well as ever-reliable APM officials, members, talents/performers, families and friends supported the event.

Of special mention is APM in the Eastern province led jointly by Francis Caranay (Bagong Kampeon voice coach for the region) and Richard Cabatit (Bagong Kampeon Coordinator for the region) for their efforts. Special citation also goes to the helpful production teams behind lights, sounds, stage design and production.

The featured performances by guest APM talents happened in quick succession, thereby providing almost non-stop entertainment. Kudos therefore to Jasmine Roa, Rania Elseboi, Richard Buenaventura, Catherine Aquino, Amira Matias, Jaycarl Basco, Anthony Sampayan, Jun Magsino, and Raymund Ruben.

Among those receiving plaques and gratefully acknowledged were members of the production team including Jeff Almendras (director), Wilson Nanquil and Aimry Roa (stage coordinators), Cristian Lois Almuete (talent coordinator), Jun Magsino (lights & sounds coordinator & voice-over talent), Enrico Valdecantos Abad (in charge of judges and tabulators), Ronie de Castro (rehearsals facilitator), Dr. Elenita Salicubay (guest coordinator), Olan Arawag (venue and physical arrangements ), Leo Boticario (logistics & marshals) and Marina Matias, Marivic Elseboi and Mary Liz Aquino (ushers/usherettes coordinators).

Founded on May 15, 2005 by its chairman, Jeff Almendras, APM is a non-profit, independent, and professional organization duly acknowledged by the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh. It was formed to provide both entertainment and opportunity to members of the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia to enjoy and gather in respite, while discovering and nurturing the musical talent in them. APM instills the essence of professionalism among its talents in the field of music and arts.

APM’s President Olan Arawag reiterated that “quality not quantity” is at the forefront of APM’s advocacies and has unanimously been considered its operational motto. To this end and through the years, APM has so far staged equally successful contests and concerts including an APM ‘Pinoy Song Festival’ (songwriting competition) and several editions of ‘Voice of Riyadh’. — SG