The contestants who made it to the next round of the Battle of the Voices pose for a photo with the judges and Music Performing Arts Competition Corp. officers at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center on Saturday.
Sebastian Tajibmai, center, holds his People’s Choice Award as he poses for a photo with Music Performing Arts Competition Corp. officers and competition judges.
ALL 23 contestants on Saturday made it to the next round of the Music Performing Arts Competition Corp.’s Battle of the Voices at the Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.
There were 24 local singers who joined the competition that started on Aug. 19, but 17-year-old Lawrence Tubera, who sang “Honeymoon Avenue” in the first audition, could not make it to the elimination round on Saturday due to fever.
Those who are headed to the next round are 29-year-old Jessel Antonio, who sang Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing”; 18-year-old Brent Espineda, who sang Sam Smith’s “Lay Me Down”; 50-year-old Bernard Sabino, who sang Marco Sison’s “My Love Will See You Through”; 35-year-old Dwayne Castro, who sang Sam Smith’s “I Am Not the Only One”; 23-year-old Charrise Ramos, who sang Mandy Moore’s “Only Hope”; 17-year-old Sebastian Tajibmai, who sang Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo’ole’s
“Over the Rainbow”; 17-year-old Johanna Mogar, who sang a Chinese rendition of Eric Chou’s “Unbreakable Heart”; 26-year-old Raniel Santos, who sang ABBA’s “The Winner Takes It All”; 24-year-old Zoe Stephanson, who sang Whitney Houston’s “Greatest Love of All”; 17-year-old Vince Silva, who sang Juan Karlos’ “Buwan”; 39-year-old Dean Borja, who sang Nessian Nine’s “Show Me”; 36-year-old Rhobby Murillo, who sang Erik Santos’ “This is the Moment”; 51-year-old Elmer Belgado, who sang Marco Sison’s “My Love Will See You Through”; 39-year-old Bench Legaspi, who sang Lionel Richie’s “Truly”; 22-year-old Arriane Antonio, who sang Beyonce’s “Listen”; 30-year-old Jerry Ray, who performed free-style rap; 24-year-old Lorenzy Leo, who sang Lauren Daigle’s “You Say”; 45-year-old Azenith Avila, who sang Miley Cyrus’ “When I Look At You”; 18-year-old Donato Santiago, who sang Marco Sison’s “My Love Will See You Through”; 34-year-old Donovan Castro, who sang Miley Cyrus’ “How Do I Live”; 50-year-old Ronilo De Belen, who sang Tom Jones’ “I Who Have Nothing”; 17-year-old Bernice Sabino, who sang Lea Salonga’s “I Dreamed A Dream”; and 20-year-old Matthew Manuel, who sang John Legend’s “Ordinary People.”
Besides securing a slot in the second elimination round, Tajibmai also received the People’s Choice Award, for having the highest number of Facebook interactions with 2,150 post engagements, 5,274 people reached, 195 “likes” and “hearts,” 67 comments and 4,600 views.
Music Performing Arts Competition Corp. President Danny O. Quitugua, on behalf of the board of directors, expressed his sincerest appreciation to the competition judges: Marpac Consumer Sales Manager Tom Basa, Northern Marianas Humanities Council Executive Director Leo Pangelinan, former Marianas High School Glee Club member and Public School System Social Studies Program Manager Vinnie Orsini, and Rotary Club of Saipan President Irene Holl.
Quitugua also thanked the family members who came to show support for the contestants. He urged them to continue doing so because the level of support from the audience is also taken into account by the judges.
The next round is set for Oct. 21.
