AFP-PNP Singing Stars Battle of the Champions One evening of music & love

MANILA, Philippines - AMWSLAI left no stone unturned to mount a wonderful musical production last Feb. 2, at the Music Museum and gathered an assembly of guests that reads like who’s who in Philippine politics, business, the military, and the media and entertainment world.

The stars of the night, though, were the 11 singing soldiers and cops of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Department of National Defense who, while competing for the grand prize in the first-ever AMWSLAI AFP-PNP Battle of the Champions, also raised funds for families and dependents of their comrades who died in the line of duty.

It was, to say the least, one magical evening of great music.

With several good reasons, AMWSLAI chair and president Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., PAF (ret.), who appeared with only daughter Hannah, and his board of trustees were seen beaming all throughout the show. All the VIP invitees turned up led by DILG Sec. Jesse Robredo. As one of the night’s highlights, Sec. Robredo, in behalf of the families of the fallen soldiers, received from Col. Nolasco the proceeds of the show. During the run-up to the singing contest, the AMWSLAI big boss had turned over the donations for the dependents of cops killed in action to AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Jesse Dellosa.

Seated in the panel of judges were former Pres. Joseph Estrada, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, US Consul General Mike Schimmel, TV host Cory Quirino, Mary Rose Dellosa, wife of Lt. Gen. Dellosa, and businesswoman and arts patroness, philanthropist and businesswoman Janet Napoles. 

Prof. Raul Sunico, dean of the UST Conservatory of Music, chaired the board of judges which was also made up of Joseph Calata of the Calata Group of Companies, Central Affirmative Company president and CEO Joel Cruz, and entertainment editors — The Philippine STAR’s Ricky Lo, Manila Bulletin’s Crispina Martinez-Belen, Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Emmie Velarde and People’s Journal’s Eugene Asis.

Seen helping Col. Nolasco welcome the guests were the AMWSLAI board of trustees. They were Col. Angel Tapac, Capt. Odelon Mendoza, Col. Ismael Abad, Dir. Morado Mercado, Dir. Cedric Reyes, Dir. Cesar Toledanes, Col. Antonio Gumba and Dir. Ricardo Perido.

Guest Jericho Rosales sent the women screaming and shrieking with his upbeat numbers while stand-up comedian extraordinaire Arnel Tamayo lightened up the building intensity of the competition with his funny ad-libs.

In the end, retired Navy Ensign Mel Sorillano, Eat, Bulaga!’s first champion singing soldier, was proclaimed winner of the inaugural staging of the AMWSLAI AFP-PNP Battle of the Champions. TSg Wilhelmo Celestial of the Philippine Army was second and PFC Malou Villanezo-Eslaga placed third.

It was a show like no other. And credit should go to its director, Asia’s vocal jazz king Arthur Manuntag, brother of Irene Sarmiento, AMWSLAI’s vice president for comptrollership, as well as to the indefatigable staff of the non-stock savings and loan association led by its AVP for quality management and general services Kathy Rebagay.

Col. Nolasco wished to thank the sponsors — Advancekonek, Beneficial-PNB Life Insurance Company, Inc., Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center, and Paramount Life and General Insurance Corporation — and donors consisting of 5th of March Graphic Services, Afficionado Perfumes, Armed Forces and Police Savings and Loan Association Inc., Armendi Loan Assistance Services, Composite Wing Savings and Loan Association Inc., Emeco International Trading and Construction, Fortune Life Insurance Company Inc., Great Pacific Life Insurance Company, Joy and Tim Enterprises, LT Enterprises, Malayan Bank, Malayan Insurance, Netsecure Technology Service Company, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Navy Savings and Loan Association, PhilippineVeterans Bank – Camp Aguinaldo Branch, Red Fox Security Agency, Inc. and Triple-A Insurance Agency.

Col. Nolasco was overwhelmed by the outpouring support from all sectors and went home feeling good as did everyone who showed up at the Music Museum that enchanted evening.