MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ Krissha Viaje of Girltrends was a heavy favorite to clinch the world title of I Can Sing In Japanese, which was aired last May 13 on Sony GEM’s SkyCable 116.
But despite her strong showing and all-out support from the Asian contingent that watched the pre-filmed finals at Tokyo International Forum, the 20-year-old Pinay singer-dancer did not advance to the final round.
The 12 finalists were divided into four groups from which the top scorers from each group were picked to slug it out for the final selection by a panel of judges made up of Japan’s top performers. The top prize was shared by India’s Neeraja Sunder Rajan and the trio from Peru composed of Dimas Henry Echegfara y Marquez, Richard Johnson Olivera Gutierrez and Jose Luis Huahuatico Gutierrez. The trio known as Rijchary serenades Machu Picchu tourists for a living.
“I like the Japanese song that was assigned to me but it was not really my genre,” Krissha told The Philippine STAR in an interview after the contest. “But I did my best and tried to render it with my own style.”
“Still, this experience is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” she said. “I had so much fun. When I go back to Manila, I will continue learning the Japanese language and songs.”
Viaje, 20, got the chance to officially represent Asia in the world finals after winning the region-wide audition for the biannual show held in Singapore in February 2017 and hosted by GEM TV Asia.
A repeat telecast of the finals is slated for May 21 at 8:30 p.m. on SkyCable 116 in Metro Manila, and on Channel 222 in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and Baguio.
Krissha Viaje performs at the world finals of I Can Sing In Japanese held in Tokyo, Japan. — Photos courtesy of Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia