Dream Chasers to celebrate Filipino identity on global stage debut

Among the Top 16 Dream Chasers of the idol survival competition, Dream Maker, seven of them will have the chance to fly to South Korea and become the next global pop group.

The part two of the finale will culminate today live at the Caloocan City Sports Complex and will be streamed at 8:30 p.m. on Dream Maker YouTube channel, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, iWantTFC, TFC IPTV, and Pie Channel with delayed telecast on TV5.

The “Dream 7” team will be determined through public voting via the platforms joinnow.ph/DreamMaker and dreammaker.ph.

ABS-CBN’s Dream Maker is in partnership with Korea’s MLD Entertainment and Kamp Korea, Inc. The “dream chasers” were trained and mentored by both Filipino and Korean coaches.

In the last ranking and elimination, Vinci Malizon finally claimed the top spot after placing second in the last two rankings. Rounding up the Top 7 are Marcus Cabais, Kyler Chua, Reyster Yton, Jeromy Batac, Winston Pineda and Wilson Budoy.

Other contestants, namely, Kim Ng, Drei Amahan, Jom Aceron, Thad Sune, Jay-r Albino, Josh Labing-isa, Matt Cruz, Macky Tuason and Prince Encelan still have the chance to steal their current spots in the finale.

In a media conference held ahead of the finale, the pop idol aspirants looked back on their four-month journey of trainings and preparations.

Kyler admitted that most of them were not really good in performing when they started in the competition but because of trainings, they were able to improve their singing and dancing skills.

Marcus, on the other hand, shared that he will miss “everything about the experience” being in the show. “I think this is a very special journey that we all went through together (with) all the trainings and the early call times.

“(The early call times) It’s like hardship but in a fun way because we all get to do them together. But I think the one thing that I will miss the most and we will all miss the most is each other. Because we stayed together for almost four months and it’s very nice that we got to go through all of this together and I think that what makes it very special,” he furthered.

Likewise, Kim learned how to be brave and courageous throughout his journey. He said, “This is a competition, so you have to be really strong and steadfast to win and reach your dreams.”

Matt added, “I learned how to get along with others and how to be a good person and set a good example for all. For me, yung pakikisama talaga is very important because wherever you go, kailangan talagang marunong kang makisama.”

“I learned a lot from this competition,” remarked Prince. “But the one (thing) that really stood out for me is the discipline. Discipline in everything that we do, especially during call time and training. Dapat po palagi nating sundin yung mga coaches and mga sinasabi din po ng prod(uction).”

Vinci, meanwhile, felt “very honored” to be part of the Top 16. “I think all of us in the Top 16 are grateful that we are able to reach this point of competition because, I’m speaking on behalf of everyone, it wasn’t an easy, smooth-sailing (ride) reaching here.”

“We had to go through rigorous training and we’ve done a lot of sacrifices to reach this point. Like, some are trying to balance their studies (while in the competition) and (be) away from our family. But because of our dreams that we want to pursue and as dream chasers, I’m glad that we are here at the end. Goodluck to us and our finale,” he added.

The boys also assured that they will push their Filipino identity once they debut on the global stage.

“I think it’s a privilege for us Filipinos to be given this kind of opportunity, to be promoted in Korea,” offered Vinci. “I think the Filipino culture inside of us, we will carry it with us inevitably and naturally (on) the global stage. Even if we’re training with Korean coaches, there are also Filipino coaches who trained us and I think yun yung magandang dynamic na mabibigay sa aming mga dream chasers. We get the true experience of the collaboration between South Korea and Philippines (culture-wise).”

Marcus, who had done shows abroad, maintained, “I think it’s gonna come naturally… (Besides) in the K-pop industry right now, there are some non-Korean idols there, too, and it’s very common now actually, so it will just be the same for us.”

Wilson, who is from Austria, commented, “I think because the Filipinos and Koreans are (collaborating) this time, I think we can do something more unique. I think this future group has good potential to be internationally famous and to get known in the whole world.”