The Kapampangan’s natural affinity and talent for music becomes apparent the
moment you turn on the TV, where, chances are, you’ll find a Kapampangan
singer-contestant belting his heart out in those popular star searches. Here is a list of Kapampangans who sang their way into the hearts
of audiences in national and international song competitions through the years.
1. CENON LAGMAN, Grand Champion, Tawag ng
Tanghalan 1959
“Tawag ng Tanghalan” was the
first true national talent search conducted in 1954 by manufacturing giant,
Philippine Marketing Company, producer of such staple 1950s-60s products like Luto,
Perla Soap, Dari Crème, Star Margarine and its banner brand, Purico. The show,
which was used by PMC as a promotional platform, spawned nationally famous
singers like Pepe Pimentel, Diomedes Maturan, and in later years, Nora Aunor.
In 1959, Cenon Punla Lagman, a high
schooler and a fisherman’s son from
Masantol copped the grand title with the kundiman, “Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin Ko”. Part of his prize included appearances at the
Manila Grand Opera House. Lagman also starred in the movie “Maturan and Lagman”
along with his successor, Diomedes Maturan. Known as the “Prinsipe ng Kundiman”,
he recorded hits like “Pandora”, “Bakas ng Lumipas”, ”Bakit Di Kita Malimot”
and “Salamat sa Ala-ala”. He settled in Las Piñas with his family and died on 25
May 2013.
2. JUN PEÑA, Grand Champion, Tawag ng
Tanghalan, Grand Champion 1965
Rosendo “Jun” Peña, the 1965
Grand Champion, is listed in the “Tawag”record books as having represented
Northern Luzon at the national finals. Actually, Peña comes from Barangay
Batang 2nd, in Sasmuan, Pampanga. It so happened that while he was paying a
visit to his girlfriend Helen in Dagupan, the “Tawag” auditions were also being
held there. He signed up, won the Dagupan regionals and was whisked off to
Manila for the finals. A Bachelor of Arts student at Letran, Peña was also a
champion orator and choir soloist. He sang
“Autumn Leaves” during the Gran Finals, and romped off with the top prize,
earning a singing engagement at Clover Theater in the process. His soothing
voice earned him the monicker, “Johnny Mathis of the Philippines”. Peña still
resides in Pangasinan today.
3. SARAH GERONIMO, Grand Champion, Star for a
Night 2002-2003
“Star for a Night”, first staged
in 2002, was a local adaptation of the British show of the same title and
produced by Viva Television. The popular TV show aired on IBC 13, was hosted by
Regine Velasquez. One of the contestants was a 14 year-old singer from Balutu,
Concepcion, Tarlac—Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo. During the grand finals, Geronimo—who
performed last—sang Celine Dion’s “To Love You More”, and won the judges’ vote,
winning over future famous singers as Mark Bautista, Angelique Quinto and Mau
Marcelo. She won the ₱1
million cash prize and a managerial contract under Viva Artists Agency. Geronimo,
dubbed as Popstar Royalty, would go on to bigger acclaim as actress-singer, TV celebrity,
record producer, songwriter and dancer.
4. RAYMOND MANALO, 2nd Place, Search for a Star 2004
Raymond Manaloto Manalo was an
artistic scholar of Holy Angel University and was a Financial Accounting junior
when he decided to join the “Search for a Star” in 2004. The talent search was
a project of Viva Television aired on GMA 7. The homegrown Angeles lad was practically
self-taught in music, honed by years of participation in his school’s
activities—as an Angelite Musical Ambassador, and as founding president of Holy
Angel Music Club. It was no surprise that he became one of the 10 finalists in
the nationwide star search. Manalo, who sang “Kailangan Kita”, was pipped in
the finals by eventual winner, Rachelle Ann Go, but his second place finish paved
the way for a recording career capped by the release of his CD, “Faithfully”. He
also managed to finish his business administration degree from the Asian
Institute for Distance Education in Makati.
5. RONNIE LIANG, 3rd Place, Pinoy
Dream Academy 2006
Ronnie Liang grew up in Angeles
City, the youngest of 7 children. While studying for an Education degree at
Holy Angel University, he worked in a fast food restaurant and moonlit as a
ramp model--until his manager found out he could carry a tune. Liang was
encouraged to join Pinoy Pop Superstar where he became a top contender, but the
controversy over his having a manager prompted him to leave the show. His next
stop was at “Pinoy Dream Academy” a new talent search on Channel 2 that
required contestants to live in an academy for 4 months. Liang qualified as one
of the 20 “scholars”—and then made it to the Honor’s List of Six. In the
finals, he sang the OPM song “Ngiti” and
placed third behind Jay-R Siaboc and champion, Yeng Constantino. Liang became Department
of Education spokesperson for Brigada Eskuwela 2008-2010 that aimed encourage
the youth to stay in school and finish their studies. He mae TV and movie
appearances, became a mainstay of the Sunday show ASAP 08, and today, continues
to perform here and abroad.
6. THIA MEGIA, 11th place, American
Idol 2012
In the 10th season of
American Idol 2012 , a fifteener, Thia Megia (born Thialorei Lising Megia) , a
Fil-Am with Kapampangan roots, barged into the group of 12 finalists. Megia was born in Hayward, California to
parents Cynthia Lising and Loreto Megia, originally from Brgy. Sta. Teresita , Angeles
City. The couple had emigrated to America in 1968, where they had their ‘Mejia’
surname, change to “Megia”. Thia has been joining and winning song contests as
a kid, and has appeared on TV’s “Kid Star of Tomorrow” before joining American
Idol. She eventually placed 11th, with her performance of the Elton
John song, “Daniel”.
7. SASSA DAGDAG, 4th Place, The
Voice Kids 2015
The guitar-playing Sassa Dagdag
of Angeles City was just 13 when she joined the second season of “The Voice
Kids”. Coached by her father, the Holy Angel
grade school student passed the audition
to thunderous acclaim when she sang Sia’s “Chandelier”. Under Bamboo Mañalac’s mentorship,
Dagdag reached the final 4 of the contest with her unique vocal styling. In the
finals, she sang “Ikaw” (duet with Sharon Cuneta”, “Starships”, and the power
ballad “Next in Line”. When all the votes came in, Dagdag found herself in 4th
place, behind winner Elha Nympha. Dagdag later moved to Manila to pursue her
studies and singing career,
SOURCES:
CENON LAGMAN:
ROSENDO PEÑA:
Photo/ Info: Tawag ng Tanghalan
Story, http://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2016/12/08/1651302/tawag-ng-tanghalan-story
SARAH GERONIMO:
Photo: Sarah Geronimo, the
Philippines’ Queen of Pop: http://sarahgeronimoknights.blogspot.com/2016/01/flashback-sarah-geronimos-winning.html
RAYMOND MANALO:
Info/Search for a Star: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_for_a_Night_(Philippine_TV_series)
RONNIE LIANG:
Pinoy Dream Academy:
THIA MEGIA:
SASSA DAGDAG:
The Voice Kids Philippines Blind
Auditions: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/t3DkEmNRASY/hqdefault.jpg
Prototaloy aired on REGIONAL NETWORK GROUP in 2003 with YUYO MERAFUENTIS singing the theme song it talks about Prototaloy, a provincial man or probinsyano who supports his wife and saves her from temptations of our sins.
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