Homegrown talents shine in 2008

From winning international pageants, to making it to widely-popular reality TV shows, to showcasing their talents abroad, the exploits of these homegrown artists should make fellow Cebuanos proud.

Survivor Philippines. The determination, strength, and wits of three Cebuanas were tested when they joined in the first-ever “Survivor Philippines” of GMA 7 which was aired from September to December 2008. There was Patani Dano of Camotes Island, who finally made it to a GMA 7 reality show, after making it no secret that she went through several attempts. Patani stood out for providing the comical flavor to the show, which was shot in Koh Tarutao island in Thailand.

Even if she was one of those who got booted out of the top-rating show earlier than the others, Patani said she didn’t mind because it nonetheless gave her the “exfosure” that she has long wanted. She also got the attention of GMA bigwigs who gave her more exposure in different GMA 7 shows. She is now a regular of the daily morning show “Unang Hirit” and the Sunday night sitcom “Ful Haus.” 

Aside from Patani, other Cebuanos, who became Survivor castaways and got signed up by GMA Artist Center after their respective departures from the show, are Vevherly Gador, a criminology student from the University of Cebu and Nikki Dacullo, a former call center agent who also has a regular hosting stint on “Unang Hirit.”

Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2. After the successful first runner-up finish of Cebu’s Jay-R Siaboc in “Pinoy Dream Academy” Season 1 last year, two Cebuanos followed in his footsteps in the second season of the reality show on ABS-CBN in 2008.

The Cebu Doctors University student Van Pojas (now known as Van Roxas) became PDA’s resident heartthrob and ended fifth place in the contest after showing considerable improvement of his musical talent which earned the admiration of the show’s fans who voted for his inclusion in the Top 6 slots. Van sang the theme song of Mars Ravelo’s Komiks Presents “Tiny Tony,” a revival of Eraserhead’s “Elise.” He is also seen on the Sunday variety show ASAP.

Although, this Cebuana scholar was not able to make it to the Top 6, 18-year old Apple Abarquez was touted an early favorite and thus, was considered a great threat among fellow scholars. A consistent dean’s lister at the University of San Carlos before she joined PDA, Apple said in an interview that her journey to a showbiz career doesn’t stop with PDA.

Van and Apple sang two of the tracks in the “Scholars sings Cayabyab” album.

Pageants. Cebuana-Canadian beauty Karla Paula Ginteroy Henry made history as she became the very first Filipina and Asian to be crowned as Miss Earth 2008 last November.

After failing to clinch a spot in the finals of the controversial Binibining Pilipinas 2008 search despite being considered a favorite, Karla bounced back to win Miss Earth Philippines before finally besting close to a hundred international beauties to top the 2008 Miss Earth Pageant. Karla’s superb stage presence and communication skills were what led to her victory.

Another Cebuana beauty queen, Jam Charish Limbatog, took the Mutya ng Pilipinas Tourism-Puerto Princesa 2008 title last December 7 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. Last December 31, she was the country’s official representative to the Miss Tourism International pageant in Malaysia. Both Karla and Jam Charish are under the management of the Cebu-based A.D. Models Philippines.

Choral groups. The University of the Visayas (UV) Chorale added another feather to its cap after embarking on a very successful concert tour in Australia last July, the purpose of which was to spread the spirit of the World Youth Day. The young choir, made of student scholars, brought great honor to Cebu by being the only Filipino performing group invited to sing in various World Youth Day festivities in Sydney, Australia. The WYD ‘08 was attended by almost half a million youths from all over the world and was graced no less than by Pope Benedict XVI.

The Cebu Chamber Singers, which is conducted by Dennis Sugarol (the man who also founded the equally award-winning Mandaue Children’s Choir) continued its award-winning streak in international competitions. They earned a gold for placing first in the Mixed Voice category and won a bronze medal in the Folklore category of the Busan International Choral Competition in South Korea last November.