Pinoy in Ireland's Got Talent Final

Pinoy's hip-hop group makes it to 'Ireland's Got Talent' grand finals

Roderick Garcia, ABS-CBN News

Apr 05 2019 

DUBLIN, Ireland - A Filipino is part of a hip-hop group that managed to get the highest audience text votes in last Saturday's semi-finals of "Ireland's Got Talent" (IGT).

Albert John "AJ" Macoy, 16, is one of the members of Fly Youth. The group will be performing again at the grand finals on Sunday.

"I'm so happy that we reached this point, where we all became motivated to do better and build a stronger friendship within the group. It makes me feel proud to achieve something that will happen just once in a lifetime," Macoy said.

Macoy's father, Elbert, is a nurse who is originally from Cebu. His mother, Edna May, is from Ilocos Sur and works as a receptionist.

The couple arrived in Ireland in 2001.

"Todo suporta lang talaga ako sa kanya mula pa noon. Napakahirap na isabay ang schedule ng school at extra activity. Pero in the end, not just popularity ang habol ko -- 'yung maging confident lang ang anak ko in front of the public can help him a lot in the future," said his father.

Macoy is the eldest of four siblings who are all born in Dublin. He is now on his 6th year of secondary education, and he hopes to be a computer game designer or a mechanical engineer someday.

Performing at the "IGT" stage is not new to Macoy. His former group, Airborne Dance Crew, managed to impress the judges at the elimination of show's last season but failed to enter the semi-finals.

This time they re-grouped, added more dance members, and performed more technical routines.

Macoy is also currently attending Fly Dance Studio, the one responsible in developing his group’s hip-hop dance skills. It was the same studio that helped them win Ireland’s Hip-hop Championship where they ended up representing the country in a global dance competition.

One of Fly Dance Studios' Irish-Pinoy dance instructors, Arman Jose Galang, is very proud of Macoy's achievement after just 3 years of training in their school.

"I'm so proud of AJ and all of them in the group. They're just kids and what they are already achieving for themselves is just insane," said Galang.

"I'm so happy that we reached this point, where we all became motivated to do better and build a stronger friendship within the group. It makes me feel proud to achieve something that will happen just once in a lifetime."

Meanwhile, three other Pinoys were also featured in "IGT." Singer Live Amerie Gregorio from Cork, singing nurse Rodelle Borja from Dublin, and dancer Nicole Marie dela Cruz Fowler from the group Hiphopical from Monaghan failed to enter the grand finals, but they still have a chance to be a wildcard.

Pinoy nurse in Ireland"s Got Talent

Filipino nurse Rodelle Borja gets standing ovation in Ireland's Got Talent

Louise Danielle Talabis

PEP.ph

20 February 2019

The 29-year old, who works in a nursing home in Dublin, Ireland, was commended for his rendition of "Can't Help Falling In Love.”



All four judges stood up and clapped for him at the end of his performance.

“Brilliant, you nailed that. You’re a beautiful human-being you got beautiful voice” said judge Jason Byrne.

American singer Michelle Visage also praised the Filipino nurse’s performance.

“You have nothing to be nervous about, yours did not get in your way but what I love most in your version is that you made it 100% your way. I didn’t hear any echo of Elvis Presley at all, it was all Rodelle.”

Denise Van Outen added: “It is such a beautiful moment hearing you, it was so lovely.”

Rodelle’s heart-melting rendition earned him four yes votes from the judges.

In an interview, Rodelle disclosed that he joined the competition in order to inspire other people.

“Growing up with stutter was quite difficult because I am not really that confident in expressing myself by talking. I expressed myself more, better by singing," he said.

Watch Rodelle Borja's performance in Ireland's Got Talent:

https://youtu.be/c0O81FkIx58

Asia's new Talents

Filipino talent shines anew in Asia’s Got Talent Season 3

Nathalie Tomada
The Philippine Star
09 February 2019


MANILA, Philippines — After giving the previous seasons of Asia’s Got Talent (AGT) winning acts, the Philippines continues to field strong contenders in Season 3 of the regional version of the Got Talent franchise.

Getting the nods of celebrity judges David Foster, Jay Park and Anggun to move to the next stage of the contest were a father-daughter tandem, singing siblings and a dance crew who practiced every day in the last four years for their AGT dream, as seen in Thursday’s premiere episode.

One of the Pinoy acts to receive three “yes” votes was HK Sisters, who got a standing ovation after singing Phantom of the Opera’s Think of Me. When asked what it would mean to them if they won the $100,000 prize, the Castillo sisters — Harrah Kaym 16, and Hannah Korin, 17 ­— said “our father is a seafarer so we only see him for about two months and he works on the ship for six to nine months.



If we win this, we get to spend more time with him.” Prior to AGT, the sisters won awards at the World Championships of Performing Arts as individuals and as duo.

Another Pinoy talent who stood out was Zianne Angierein Garcia a.k.a. Zeexhie. When she was a toddler, she became an Internet sensation for her cheer stunts with her choreographer father Renier.

She also nearly won Eat Bulaga’s Hype Kang Bata Ka contest last year. The child wonder charmed the AGT judges who all gave her cheer dance performance with her father a resounding “Yes!”

Junior Good Vibes, a 15-member dance crew from Sampaloc, also received three yes votes for their audition. Foster told them, “There’s 15 unique stories, and all those stories came to life and I felt everything that you guys are feeling and I’m very proud of you.”

Though failing to make it to the next round, Pinoy stand-up comic/singer ZooDiva left audiences in stitches by incorporating animal sounds to his song.

In the same episode, crazier acts included a Japanese with a farting talent who amused the judges so much they made him stay on. Jay Park also made AGT history by pressing the Golden Buzzer for TK Jiang, a digital magician from Singapore. The Golden Buzzer sends a contestant all the way to the semi-finals.

The STAR previewed the episode ahead of its premiere, which was followed by a presscon with DMX Comvaleñoz, the dance group from Compostela Valley who was a runner-up in the past AGT season.

Asked how the show has changed their lives, a member happily shared, “Actually, artista na kami sa aming lugar.” The gigs came one after another, bringing the group to Indonesia and Malaysia. Such good news earned applause during the presscon for the members, who once struggled with getting passports because they either didn’t finish school or never had any valid IDs in their life until they joined AGT.
The group has pieces of advice for fellow dance group Junior Good Vibes, other Filipino talents in the current edition and those who want to join AGT in the future.

For one, contestants have to jazz up routines. “Actually, nakikita ko (I always see Junior Good Vibes) practicing near National University, sa may kalsada. Mahirap kasi ilang taon silang nag-training para makuha ang pangarap nilang makapag-compete sa Asia’s Got Talent. My advice is don’t maintain routines but level up always. Don’t focus on one genre.”

Second is to use their God-given talent to the best of their ability. “Never stop dreaming. To all Pinoy performers, todo lang. Bigay lang lahat (give it your all) even in the auditions. Huwag kayong panghinaan ng loob (don’t lose hope). Do your best in dancing, singing or beat-box or kung anong tanging alam ninyo (whatever unique talent you have). Don’t stop because it’s God’s gift to you.”

Third, to enjoy the whole AGT experience, win or lose. “Kung may hahadlang na magulang, trabaho o pera (if there are obstacles, be it your parents, work or money, don’t worry) darating din ang panahon para sa ‘yo. Just sit down and wait, rehearse, practice, enjoy… Don’t be afraid to lose.”

In the debut season of Asia’s Got Talent in 2015, the Pinoy shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra emerged as the grand winner. Among other Filipinos who shone in the last two editions of the talent show were classical singer Gerphil Flores, beat boxer Neil Llanes, as well as dance crews Junior New System and Urban Crew.

Pinay in X-Factor Romania

Pinay singer advances to live shows in 'X Factor Romania'

Jackie de Vega
ABS-CBN Europe
02 December 2018

On Friday night, Filipina singer Bella Santiago continues to advance "The X Factor Romania" Season 8.

In her bid to stay on Delia's Over 24s, the 29-year old belted out the 1983 hit "Total Eclipse of the Heart" by Bonnie Tyler, outshining Christian Sanda in the Duel round, making her the first Filipina to reach the live shows of "The X Factor Romania."

“Bella is a complete package, has an amazing voice, her stage presence... I am speechless. She knows her body very well,” Sanda said.

Their mentor, Delia Matache, confided that she had difficulty choosing between them -- and the judges agreed.

"It was fantastic. I have no words!" she said.

“Applause for both contestants. That is what I call a duel! You chose two well-known pieces and my favorite ones. It was a risk for you, Cristian. The difference is you've shown a different side of you. Bella showed a different kind of artistry. You have two extremely competitive contestants,” said judge Stefan Banica.

The Caviteña remains a crowd favorite this season with her performances among the most streamed on the show's YouTube channel. She raked more than 4 million views for her audition clip and 1.6 million views for the 4-chair challenge.

Santiago is one of the 8 contestants to advance to the live show on December 9.