Marianas Got Talent’s top three winners, from left, Bernice Sabino, third prize; Sebastian Tajibmai, first prize; and Donato Santiago, third prize, hold ceremonial checksatSaipan World Resort’s Taga Hall on Sunday.
SEBASTIAN Tajibmai, who moved the audience to tears during his performance, was emotional as he received first prize in Music Performing Arts Competition Corp.’s Marianas Got Talent at Saipan World Resort Taga Hall on Sunday.
Tajibmai and the 13 other finalists brought out their best when as they performed in the grand finale.
Accompanied by the Nesian Harmony band, Tajibmai, 17, wowed the audience with his original piece, “They Don’t Shine No More.”
Winning second prize was 18-year-old Donato Santiago who performed “The Prayer” duet as Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.
Bernice Sabino, 17, took third place with her rendition of the Glee cast’s “Don’t Rain On My Parade.”
Tajibmai took home $1,500; Santiago, $1,300; and Sabino $1,100. The three of them will also get a chance to compete in The Voice, America’s Got Talent and American Idol.
Tajibmai, in an interview after the event, said, “When God is by your side and you believe hard enough and you pray hard enough, you can succeed in anything.”
He said he knew he had to finish strong, so he decided to perform an original composition.
“I am still lost for words,” he said adding that he will be ready for America’s Got Talent, The Voice, or American Idol.
Santiago said he was overwhelmed by the thought of going to America’s Got Talent, the Voice or American Idol because it has always been his dream since he was a child.
He’s glad he’s one step closer to making his dream come true.
He is also very grateful for the cash prize, which he said will help his mother buy her medications. Whatever is left from his cash prize, he will use it to have his car fixed.
Sabino said she is already looking forward to showcasing her talent to a larger crowd in the U.S.
It will be a great opportunity for CNMI talents to be known to the rest of the nation and to the world, she added.
She said she was really proud of all the contestants for bringing out their very best. She said Tajibmai was very deserving of his victory. “He was amazing,” she added.
The other grand finalists were Jessel Antonio who sang Regine Velasquez’s “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing”; Arriane Antonio, Kelly Clarkson’s “Because of You”; Ronilo De Belen, Bruce Macoy’s “Dakilang Lahi”; Raniel Santos, Whitney Houston’s “I Look To You”; Azenith Avila, Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart”; Lorenzy Leo, Celine Dion’s “The Power of Love”; Dean Borja, Max A Million’s “Sexual Healing”; Zoe Stephanson, Celine Dion’s “All By Myself”; Donovan Castro, Journey’s “Light”; Robby Murillo, Gary Valenciano’s “Take Me Out of the Dark”; and Dwayne Castro. KC & Jojo’s “All My Life.”
The judges were Saipan Rotary Club President Irene Holl; Public School System Social Studies Program Manager Vinny Orsini; Marpac Consumer Sales Manager Tom Basa Jr.; Northern Marianas Humanities Council Executive Director Leo Pangelinan; local musician Alfred Saures; composer JJ Concepcion; and Commonwealth Ports Authority board member Joseph Diaz.
The master and mistress of ceremonies were Gerald Padriz and Caroline Masga.
Music Performing Arts Competition Corp. is comprised of Danny O. Quitugua, president; Gus Litulumar, vice president; Bobbi D. Iglesias, secretary; and Arlene M. Reyes, treasurer.
Sebastian Tajibmai plays the ukulele as he performs an original composition.
For his final performance, Donato Santiago is Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.
Bernice Sabino sings her heart out in the final round.
