Homecoming for Austrian singing champ

Manila, Philippines - Three years ago, he surprised Austrian fans by winning the 2008 Musical! Die Show, (Musical! The Show), Austria’s most prestigious singing competition, which is equivalent to, or even tougher than, “American Idol.”

Now, Vincent Bueno, the first and so far the only Filipino winner of that Vienna-based talent show, is in town to trace his roots in a sleepy village of Curifang, some 3 kms from Solano, Nueva Vizcaya’s premier commercial town.

Although born in Austria, both parents of Bueno, now 26, hail from Curifang before they moved to that central European country nearly four decades ago.

Bueno’s mother, the former Corazon Mendoza, migrated as a nurse to Austria during the 1970s. She later met and married Antonio Bueno, then a Filipino band member.

“It’s nice to be home. Although I was born in Europe, I always think that I’m a Filipino. I’m proud of my roots,” said Bueno, on his first visit here since winning the most sought-after among European singing talents in January 2008.

That year, Vincent, a graduate of music and performing arts at the Vienna Conservatory of Music, bested Austrian Eva Klikovics by 67 percent to 37 percent. They earlier outperformed some 500 aspirants from all over Europe.

A composer, Bueno plays the piano, guitar, drums and bass guitar like his father.

“We didn’t give him any chance to emerge the winner as there were talks of racial discrimination among Austrians,” said an uncle, Rudie Bueno, former director of the state-run Philippine Information Agency.

He has already released two albums in Austria since winning the title. Bueno says he now looks forward to extending his singing career, and even to make movies, in the Philippines.

“I’m so happy to be here. At least, I’m able to show my talent before my countrymen, especially my provincemates. Filipinos are so warm and appreciative,” says Bueno, who, aside from German, is also conversant in Tagalog and English.

Bueno says he has already inked a contract with Star Records, an ABS-CBN Entertainment Group Company, to pursue his music career here. Likewise, he also hopes to be a mainstay soon of that network’s Sunday noontime variety show, ASAP.

Vincent stresses that he had wanted to return to the Philippines since winning the title but commitments with contest organizers had prevented him from leaving Europe for the past three years.

“I hope that with this homecoming, I will be able to get a better view of my hometown and that I could be with my compatriots for a longer time,” he said.

Vincent likewise says he is thankful for all the honors that the country has bestowed on him, including a letter from then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as well as from provincial leaders.

“Vincent’s feat is something for all of us to emulate and praise. He deserves the highest accolades, especially since he is a fellow Novo Vizcayano,” says Gov. Luisa Lloren Cuaresma.

“He is the epitome of a true-blue Novo Vizcayano. He deserves our outmost admiration. His province and the whole country owe him a lot for putting all of us Filipinos in the world map of excellence,” says Vice Gov. Jose Gambito.

“Vincent is what our youngsters need – someone they can look up to as a model of success,” says Mayor Philip Dacayo of Solano.

However, amid all the accolades he has received over the past years, Vincent’s feet remain firmly on the ground and his success has not gone to his head.

“I’m here to inspire others. This to me is more important than fame,” says Vincent, whose Filipino single, “Mas Mahalaga,” is now accessible at Star Records website and will soon be released on CD.