THE kids title winner and the Governor’s Choice awardee in 2013, Bernice Sabino returned to Bridge Capital LLC’s CNMI’s Got Talent at Kensington Hall on Saturday to claim the 2024 adult category grand prize.
There were 16 contestants in this year’s adult and children’s categories.
The Hopwood Middle School Glee Club not only topped the children’s category but also won the Governor’s Choice and the “Most Christmassy” awards, while elementary and middle school teacher Matthew Vallo brought home the Founder’s Award and $2,000.
Sabino, who is now 18, was the second runner-up in the 2021 competition. This year she performed a classic Christmas song medley and brought home the $2,000 grand prize.
The first runner-up, who received $1,500 cash and the Best in Costume award, was the 2020 grand prize winner Donna Rose Santiago. She wowed the audience by transforming herself from a Christmas tree into Santa before singing “All I Want for Christmas is You.”
Robby Murillo, who joined the annual contest for the third time, sang Josh Groban’s rendition of “O Holy Night” and claimed the $1,000 second runner-up award.
Children’s category
In the children’s category, the Marianas High School Dolphins Concert Band was named first runner-up and received a cash prize of $1,500. Agape Christian School’s Dorothy Li and Jeshurun He, who played “Where Are You Christmas?” on violin and piano, brought home the $1,000 second runner-up prize.
Kaden Manglona, who sang Andy Williams’ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” and his sister Kirsten Manglona, who performed Kelly Clarkson’s “Underneath the Tree,” received the Best from Rota Award.
The other contestants in this year’s children category were Glushko’s Academy of Performing Arts ballerinas, who performed a jazz dance number, and the 2023 second runner-up and Governor’s Award winner Juliana Kai Ortiz, a Green Meadows School fifth grader who sang Celine Dion’s “Don’t Save It All for Christmas.”
Also showcasing their talents in the adult category were Iune Wabol who sang “Silent Night” in English, Chamorro and Carolinian; Jordan Ruiz, a.k.a. Jordan Paradise who sang “12 Days of Christmas”; Simon Neccesito who showcased his talent in juggling; and Shawna Babauta who sang “Silent Night.”
The competition judges were First Lady Wella Palacios, Arts Council Director Loriana Teuria, Senate Vice President Dennis Mendiola, Rep. Marissa Flores and Rep. Diego Vincent Camacho.
Bridge Capital LLC co-owner John Baldwin, in his remarks, said they first conceived the idea for CNMI’s Got Talent nearly 20 years ago after he and co-owner Shawn Scott witnessed local talents performing at music events in the islands.
So they decided to host an annual event where local performing artists can showcase their talents.
Baldwin and Scott thanked Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, CNMI lawmakers, other officials as well as business and community members for their support.
CNMI’s Got Talent adult category grand prize winner Bernice Sabino performs at Kensington Hall on Saturday.
The Hopwood Middle School Glee Club members, the children’s category champions, pose with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Bridge Capital LLC co-owners John Baldwin and Shawn Scott, and host Brad A. Cleven.
Founder’s Award recipient Matthew Vallo, second right, holds his prize as he poses for a photo with Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, right, Bridge Capital co-owners Shawn Scott, second left, and John Baldwin, center, and host Brad Cleven.
