DANCING duo Cookies and Cream and a pair of singing eighth graders are this year’s CNMI Got Talent champions.
Cire Joseph Durano, 23, and Joel Balagon, 30, are Saipan Music and Dance Studio volunteer choreographers who formed Cookies and Cream about a year ago. Durano was a silver medalist in the World Championship of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California. Balagon competed in an Arizona-based hip-hop international show and has choreographed for his dance crew in the Philippines for five years, performing in the U.S., South Korea, and China.
On Friday at PIC Saipan, Durano and Balagon’s hip-hop mash-up number won the grand prize in the CNMI Got Talent adult category, and an additional $1,500 for the Most Christmas-y performance.
Princess Nicole Rigua and Alyana Marie Rotap are both 13-year-old eighth-graders at Hopwood Middle School with a passion for music. Their rendition of “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” landed them first place in the children’s category.
Each duo took home $2,000 for besting other competitors in their respective categories.
Speaking to reporters, Durano said winning the competition was a recognition of his and Balagon’s hard work and efforts.
“We barely actually had practice…because both of us have work. We didn’t expect to win this much. We were already doubting ourselves, but we just prayed to God that no matter what happened, we would do our best. Dance is my whole life. I have dedicated my whole life to dancing because without dancing, I wouldn’t be here. It means so much to me,” he said.
Balagon said they enjoy performing, hoping to inspire children to dance. He said they dedicate their performances to God.
“Our passion is to inspire kids,” he said.
To up-and-coming dancers, Cookies and Cream said, “Always be confident in yourself, believe in yourself, and trust God.”
Cookies and Cream thanked their manager Esther Sablan and Saipan Music and Dance Studio for their support.
The other winners in the adult category were the first runner-up, Grace Christian Assembly Tambourine Team, who won $1,500, and the second runner-up, 50-year-old Ronilo De Belen, who won $1,000.
The GCA Tambourine Team — comprised of Laila Portuguez, Lowell Parco, Grace Parco, Chita Despogado, and Benjamin Vivero — performed “Joy to the World” and “Unspeakable Joy.” They also received the Founder’s Choice Award, taking home an additional $1,500.
De Belen sang “Please Come Home for Christmas.”
In the children’s category, first runner-up was The Profound Bandits, a hip-hop dance group comprised of Jeroen Monteneyo, Jermain Monteneyo, Joseph Paraeiso, Mathea Deocaras, Webb Alano Jr., Claribel Haiyag, Makoy Lagado, Leann Dela Cruz, Ariel Legaspi, and Calleea Lucenara. The dance group was formed in 2017 at Hopwood Middle School and is now based at Marianas High School.
Second runner-up was eight-year-old Roanne Palma, a Green Meadow Elementary School third-grader, Saipan Music and Dance Studio member, and a Living for Jesus Christian Fellowship music minister who sang her rendition of “Give Love on Christmas Day.”
The other competitors were Brent Michael Espineda, McRey Miranda, Ralph Daniel Santos, Mikylla Faith Espineda, Mica Elley Sunay, Arriane Antonio, and Joshua Cadud-an
Bridge Capital’s CNMI Got Talent 12 was hosted by Brad Cleven and included performances by past champion Bernice Sabino, the MHS Glee Club, and local cultural dance groups.
“I feel ecstatic. I feel wonderful. There was so much talent and such great public response,” said Bridge Capital LLC co-owner John Baldwin in an interview with reporters.
Co-owner Shawn Scott said, “There was amazing talent tonight. It was really, really an amazing night and there is so much talent here. We love Christmas, we love the holidays, and we love being here on Saipan in the holidays.”
Baldwin added, “Christmas is our favorite time of the year by far and it’s a wonderful time to celebrate. The islands have so much talent, and it makes people happy, so that’s why we do it.”
To the local community this holiday season, Baldwin and Scott send a message of love and laughter, pulling together to make tomorrow better every day.
From left, Shawn Scott, Cire Durano, Joel Balagon, and John Baldwin pose for a photo. Durano and Balagon are “Cookies and Cream,” the 2022 CNMI Got Talent champions in the adults category. They also won the Most Christmas-y Award. The annual talent contest is hosted by Bridge Capital LLC, owned by Scott and Baldwin
Princess Nicole Rigua and Alyana Marie Rotap — eight-graders at Hopwood Middle School are the 2022 CNMI Got Talent champions in the kids category. They are pictured here with Bridge Capital LLC co-owners John Baldwin and Shawn Scott, and the event’s master of ceremony, Brad Cleven.
The Grace Christian Assembly Tambourine Team is the 2022 CNMI Got Talent first runner-up in the adults category. The group also won the Founder’s Choice Award.
The Profound Bandits dance group is the 2022 CNMI Got Talent first runner-up in the kids category.
50-year-old Ronilo De Belen is the second runner-up in the 2022 CNMI Got Talent adults category.
Eight-year-old Roanne Palma is the second runner-up in the 2022 CNMI Got Talent kids category.
Past CNMI Got Talent champion Bernice Sabino serenades the audience with a Christmas mash-up.
The Marianas High School Glee Club sang acapella versions of various Christmas songs.
A young Chamorro cultural dancer smiles during a group performance.
Carolinian cultural dancers perform.
Young boys perform a Carolinian cultural dance.
This year’s CNMI Got Talent judges were Rep. Angel A. Demapan, Sen.-elect Dennis James C. Mendiola, Rep. Roy A. Ada, Bank of Saipan President/CEO John Z. Arroyo, and Sen.-elect Corina L. Magofna.
