Cebuanos triumph on WCOPA stage

CEBU, Philippines — The Philippines continues to make a name at the talent Olympics, with 11 out of 13 Cebuanos coming home with medals and plaques after a grueling two weeks at this year’s World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Clad in their official blue WCOPA jackets, our Cebuano winners, who had been training with Cebu Music Learning Center since November last year, proudly wore their medal haul during a recent homecoming press conference.

WCOPA is considered as the largest talent Olympics with over 50 participating countries for vocal, acting, modelling, instrumental, dance, and variety acts.

Held annually at Long Beach, California in the United States, the Philippines has brought forth champions like Jed Madela, Jonalyn Viray, Laarni Lozada, and singing group 4th Impact.

Competing from July 6 until July 15, 11 Cebuanos bagged 16 gold medals, 15 silver, nine bronze, 13 division champion plaques, and seven semi-finalist badges.

Hailed as Grand Champion Instrumentalist of the World, guitar duo Maxwell Soller and Miguel Luis Ibaseta clinched the biggest prize for the instrumentals category, bringing with them two gold and five silver medals apart from their champion’s star trophy.

Three semi-finalists reaped medals at the vocals with instrument category: Carren Eistrup Frederiksen, who sang and played the piano, bringing home eight gold medals and seven division champion plaques; ukulele players Edwelweiss Hope Clores and Gabrielle Samantha Lerio. Lerio won two gold, three silver, four bronze medals and two division champion plaques; while Lerio won two gold, one bronze medal, and two division champion plaques.

Six Cebuanos also took home awards for the vocals category: Gwyneth Lovelle Tayactac, who won two silver and one bronze medals, as well as Renz Harvey Aleguijo who reaped two gold, two silver, and one bronze medals came out as semi-finalists for the vocals category.

 Jaienne Braveree Suralta, David Lee, and Raiza Pagapatpatan each have a silver medal, while Klarylle May Dumancas took home a bronze.

Twenty-three-year-old teacher Soller, one half of the guitar duo that won the grand prize, said they did not expect the win.

“We believed in ourselves but we didn’t expect the grand champion trophy because we were facing world-class performers. This is our first time competing as duo instrumentalists,” Soller said.

“We can say that we deserve it because we exerted meaningful effort, we put everything on the line. We practiced wholeheartedly, tirelessly. Bahalag nanakit na among kamot, nangapaksit na ang panit sa among tudlo,” he added.

Soller’s partner, 17-year-old Ibaseta, a senior high student at the University of San Jose-Recoletos, said that apart from winning, he cherished the experience of getting to know the rest of the country through the members of the Philippine delegation.

“We got to know their culture. We got to have lots of memories, especially the time when the semi-finalists were announced. Out of 87 delegates from the Philippines, only 33 made it to the semis. That was pretty emotional. I can say that my experience was really good, and if ever given the chance to compete again, I would,” he said.

The delegates were selected after the WCOPA auditions held all over the country. The Cebu leg was held November 18, 2017 at the SM Seaside City Cebu, which was attended by the WCOPA-Philippines national director, Gerry Mercado and singer and WCOPA champion Jed Madela.

Those who made the cut had to prepare for embassy appointments, Visa applications, and manage all sorts of paperwork and requirements. They also had to look for sponsors to help fund their trip.

“If you’re going to join and make the cut, inig kita ninyo sa amount na inyo bayaran, basin ma-shock mo or ma-discourage,” Soller said. “You have to consider the fact that most of the opportunities do not come directly to you. You have to find it and you have to seize the moment. Invest your time and your money para maka-join ta sa WCOPA. WCOPA is not a scam, makita man siguro ninyo [sa amoa].”

The delegates shared how satisfying it was to attend the blue jacket ceremony at Resorts World Manila on July 2 where they were given their official jackets and knapsacks that signified their being official delegates after the rigorous selection process. After the screening process, there was an entirely different battle ahead of them.

Now officially hailed as world class performers, the WCOPA winners recalled how difficult it had been to compete, let along bring home medals and coming out as champions. Apart from adapting to the weather, time difference, and an air of animosity from competitors, the delegation noted how difficult it was to keep up with the competition.

“It was a very fast kind of competition,” coach and Cebu Music Learning Center proprietor Dennis Namocatcat said. “If you are not quick, mawala ka sa imong lugar. Dali ra ang announcement. You wake up at 7 a.m., the finalists will be announced, at 9 a.m., you compete right away. You have to be focused. It’s not just you waiting, it’s their call. Ikaw ang mag-adjust, paspas kaayo,” he said.

“There should be focus and presence of mind. Because dali ra, one minute ra ang performance, if wala nimo nahimo in minute… I admire our team, ilang kaisog atubangan sa daghan competitors and judges,” Namocatcat added.

Standing out among so many delegates from over 50 countries had been a challenge, as well as performing for an esteemed panel of judges made up of producers, performers, musicians, and coaches.

Winners will have over half a million worth of scholarships and recording contracts, while all of the delegates get to attend bootcamps and worskhops by Hollywood performing artists,  mentors, coaches, and instructors. They will also have the chance to attend go-sees and meet casting directors and international talent scouts.

The winners also quipped that it’s high time for the government to actively support Filipino talents by way of providing assistance and sponsorship.

Apart from their hardships competition-wise, the Philippine delegation was also met with trouble at NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). Many of the Filipino delegates were dismayed to find that their luggage had been tampered with.  A number of them had broken locks and had lost items like souvenir shirts, perfumes, and bottles of lotion. Jed Madela revealed the incident on a Facebook post calling out whoever stole the delegate’s hard-earned pasalubongs.

Despite all that, the Cebuano champs were glad to compete and win in a chance of a lifetime, proving that they can conquer even their wildest dreams and make their country proud.

Said vocal category silver medallist Jaienne Braveree Suralta: “My experience has taught me that there are far more important things than medals and trophies and that is friendship and camaraderie. Some people will support you and others won’t but don’t let them bring you down. Just keep on trying and don’t give up. Don’t forget to do this for the greater glory of God.”

Fellow vocal category winner Klarylle May Dumancas quipped: “I’m actually only a bronze medallist but even though I am only a bronze medallist, I am very proud of myself. Dili man gud easy makakuha ug bronze, or any other medal. Ang akong giapilan kay 13 to 15 year olds and usually akong mga kauban kay 15 years old. Ilang mga tingog buo na kaayo, nice kaayo. If you ever fail, maybe there are other blessings waiting, something greater than what you got.”

The bunch advised budding artists to work on their strengths and try to be someone who stands out. Being just talented won’t cut it, they said. One has to learn the art of performing, owning the stage and connecting with the audience.

“WCOPA is not seeking for a person or a group who has talent. They are looking for marketability. They are also looking for performers, not just talented individuals. Communication is very important in performances: you have to connect with the audience, the listeners, the viewers for you to be able to motivate and inspire them to have the same passion,” said Soller.