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She stands only about 5’2. Without make-up she would be a simple-looking lass. But wait till she belts out a song and you would surely stop, listen and be mesmerized. She easily conquers you with her voice, just as she naturally owns the stage.

That’s the magic of 18-year old Gay Nagrama, from barangay Mabolo who last Saturday bested 11 other hopefuls of the first ever “El Rancho Singing Idol: Kinawboy Ni!” initiated by Virginia Foods Incorporated at the SM City Cebu Entertainment Plaza.

Singing “I Wanna Know What Love Is,” a song recently revived by Sarah Geronimo, Nagrama gave justice to it, made it her own and nailed her performance. When she was done, it was safe to say she had it in the bag already. She claimed she was nervous but it did not show. There was no doubt she would win. She sang effortlessly and explored the stage confidently, her gaze conveying a lot of feelings. She was a natural as she shook her hips seductively. Of course she did it all on purpose.

“I did not expect to win because everybody was good. I just delivered the song the best I could hoping to get the attention of the judges,” Nagrama revealed just few minutes after winning.

Shaking her head, still unable to believe she won, Nagrama then said “taym pa ha (wait a second),” breathed in deeply and smiled before entertaining questions from the press.

Humble and charming, Nagrama is definitely a talent to watch out for. Her singing background is impressive. For a start, she is a member of the acclaimed University of Cebu Chorus for three years now. Through the group’s corporate shows and other performances, her potential has been developed. This Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education junior started singing at the age of eight. She is bent on joining the academe two years from now, saying she loves to teach. Asked whether she has plans of making a career out of singing, Nagrama let out a sweet smile, simultaneously shaking her head again.

Interestingly, Nagrama is not new to singing contests. She vividly remembered her first taste of victory, “In 2004, I also won here at SM, in a singing idol contest by a multinational company. During the PRISSAA Inter University Singing Contest (last April in Iloilo City), I was first-runner up.”

Why did she choose such a song, is she in love? “For no particular reason, I just like it,” and she giggled, obviously thrilled. For winning the title, Nagrama went home with P20,000 cash, and gift pack that included VFI products.

Next to Nagrama is another lady, 18-year-old Charmine Monternel of Lorega, who was lively in her “Ain’t No Other Man” number. Like the winner, she said she did not expect her first runner-up finish as she was fully aware it was a tough contest. Very much excited over her win, Monternel joined Nagrama on stage who repeated her winning performance. Monternel went home with P15,000.

Rommel Roseque, a 26-year-old guy from Mabolo, finished second runner-up for his rendition of the Gary Valenciano and Tex Ordonez original “Ikaw at Ako.” He was also adjudged as Best in Cowboy Costume. Like the two ladies, Roseque has various singing titles already tucked under his belt. He went home with P10,000 cash.

Forty-one year old Faustino Villarta, left the audience clapping and laughing with his very funny and entertaining performance of John Fogerty’s ‘Proud Mary.” For that he was chosen as the “Crowd Favorite.”

Other finalists were Maria Glo Rendon, Esterlina Olmedo, John Aguilar Montera, Nimfa Dakay, Arman Mahinay, Eric Abaquita, Chiezl Valmoria and Karen Rose Nuneza.

The distinguished panel of judges was composed of Felix Tiukinhoy (President, VFI), Meriam Dampac (Managing Director, Paperbag Concepts), Carol Go (former TV host) Marlon Baula (Hot FM General Station Manager), and Chad Borja (Singer/ Entrepreneur). — RYAN MARK