By ELLEN T. TORDESILLAS
I hope and pray that since the Philippines is blessed with so many artistic talent, we will also have enough votes to make one of them be declared the winner of this year’s “Asia’s Got Talent”, which will have its grand finals on Thursday.
To be held at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, it will be aired on AXN at 8:05 p.m.
Four of the nine finalists are from the Philippines: El Gamma Penumbra, shadow players; Junior New System, dancers; Gerphil Flores, singer; and Gwyneth Dorado, singer.
We have an abundance of talent!
I have voted for El Gamma Penumbra, shadow play group from Batangas.
Using the ancient art of shadow play, El Gamma Penumbra fascinates and touches the audience’s heart with relevant and moving messages.
Last week’s performance about mankind bearing the wrath of nature was so meaningful with the recent earthquake in Nepal and our own tragedy with super typhoon Yolanda in November 2013.
Indonesian rock star Anggun congratulated them for the kind of art that they pursue: “Our job as entertainers, we are here to entertain people, but if you can — if we can raise — awareness on subjects that really, really matter, then that makes our jobs more noble.”
Gerphil Flores’ inclusion in Asia’s Got Talent finals is a slap in the face of Kris Aquino and Ai-Ai de las Alas, who insulted her and the Filipino audience with their comments at ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent in 2010. The culture illiterate duo told Gerphil that her singing is not appreciated by the Filipino audience.
The video of that episode has resurfaced and has elicited scorn for Aquino and de las Alas.
-kris aiai
Sammy Gamboa said in Facebook: “Sakit sa dibdib kung paano siya pinagmalupitan at ininsulto ng dalawang mahaderang judges. Pinalabas siyang desperada sa mga komentaryong, ‘bigyan mo siya ng trabaho, Boss.’ Bastos at malupit ang dalawang malditang ito..nakarma din sila.
Here’s the You Tube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEh6E4YLBM0
Kris Aquino displayed once again her vapidity when she told the 19-year old Gerphil, “Sana kakanta ka ng age-appropriate. Mga kanta sana na Charice. Mga kanta na maka-relate ang ka-edad mo.”
Ai-Ai chimed in: “Mga bagets maka-relate sa iyo.”
Kris even had the gall to advise the University of the Philippines music student: “You evolve.”
Gerphil defiantly told the two stupid jurors: “Hindi ako titigil sa pagkanta ng classical. Yan ang talent ko.”
Flores stressed her respect for the Filipino audience: “Ang Filipino hindi lang Tagalog ang kaya kantahin kung di iba’t-ibang lenguahe.
In front of a panel of judges who know music, Gerphil shone. During her audition at Asia’s Got Talent, Grammy-winning composer David Foster, was so impressed with Gerphil’s rendition of “Speak Softly, Love” from the classic movie“Godfather.”
“You certainly did not disappoint anybody in this room. It was really a solid performance. And your pitch is great, and I hate people who sing out of tune. You sang really in tune. Good going,” Foster said.
At the grand finals, where Gerphil performed ,”The Impossible Dream” from Man from La Mancha, Foster told her, “I promise you. The world will know about you.”
The satirical blog, Adobo Chronicles, suggested that ABS-CBN should rename their Pilipinas Got Talent with “Judges got no talent.”
Viewers can vote for their favorite acts in one of three ways: SMS, Facebook and the “Asia’s Got Talent” mobile app.
In the Philippines, text SMS AGT(Contestant number) to 2929.
Information on how to vote can be found on the website: http://asiasgottalent.tv/vote/
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Writer Babeth Lolarga is inviting writers to attend “Aspulan: A Gathering of Baguio Writers,
Journalists and Teachers and Students of Literature and Writing on May 18 at CSS-AVR,
U.PBaguio.Topics to be discussed include “professionalizing community journalism and other writing services.”
Anvil Publishing’s Karina Bolasco will be one of the speakers to answer queries how to have one’s works published.
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Another good news: RAK is BAK
Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is bringing back its highly-acclaimed musical: “Rak of Aegis” on June through August.
For more information contact, The PETA Theater Center
No 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila,Quezon City Philippines
E-mail:petatheater@gmail.com
Office trunkline: (02) 7256244; Fax: (02) 4100821;Mobile: 09175765400