Savory Search for Karaoke Star winner Jessel Antonio, center, first runner-up Bath Ramos, fourth right, and second runner up, Robby Murillo, fourth left, with Savory Bistro Café president Jennifer Elayda, and the competition judges on Friday.
Jessel Antonio performs during the 2023 Savory Search for Karaoke Star on Friday.
JESSEL Antonio, a 30-year-old housewife, topped the 2023 Savory Search for Karaoke Star on Friday.
Antonio, who likes to sing while doing daily household chores, shed tears of joy as she received a trophy and the $1,000 grand prize at Savory Bistro Café on Middle Road in Garapan.
She performed Sia’s “Chandelier” in the preliminary round, competing with 14 other contestants to secure one of the six spots in the finals. Her winning song in the finale was Fantasia’s “I Believe.”
Food server Beth Ramos, 55, delighted the audience with her lively performance of Melissa Manchester’s “If This Is Love” to make it to the final six. She claimed the first runner-up title and the $500 cash prize for her interpretation of Whitney Houston’s “Try It On My Own.”
Room attendant Robby Murillo, 37, made it to the final six by singing Peabo Bryson’s “Love Always Finds A Way.” He claimed the second runner-up title and received $300 cash for his rendition of Erik Santos’ “This Is The Moment.”
The other finalists were 50-year-old Bernard Sabino who sang Bon Jovi’s “Bed of Roses”; 45-year-old Azenith Avila who performed Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball”; and 18-year-old Donato Santiago Jr. who delivered a heartfelt rendition of Basil Valdez’s “You.”
The other contestants were 45-year-old Donnel Isip who sang Elvis Presley’s “It’s Now Or Never”; 41-year-old John Singson who sang Kenny Loggins’ “Forever”; 44-year-old Jared Barong who sang Air Supply’s “Here I Am”; 38-year-old Ryan Arriesgado who sang Air Supply’s “I Can Wait Forever”; 51-year-old Elmer Belgado who sang Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up”; 34-year-old Jenny Cook who sang Kelly Clarkson’s “Broken and Beautiful”; 63-year-old Loida Olivar who sang Maureen McGovern’s “We Could Have It All”; 54-year-old Angie Jolie a.k.a. Ms. Liberty who sang Adele’s “All I Ask”; and 19-year-old Adrian Doca who sang George Benson’s “In Your Eyes.”
The guests performers included last season’s title winners Brent Michael, Raniel Santos and Alfred Tabora as well as 2022 CNMI Got Talent second runner-up Nili De Belen.
Performing a dance number were the Reel Friends: Marcie, Rosebeth and Ms. Zhang.
The panel of judges consisted of former Rep. Angel Demapan, Commonwealth Ports Authority board member Joseph Diaz, beauty pageant director and choreographer Ernie Molina and credit analyst Paul Legaspi.
The tabulator was Esther Sablan, a talent manager of Saipan Music and Dance Studio.
Savory president and owner Jennifer Elayda set the final competition in motion with her welcoming remarks.
