Panky Trinidad heads for WCOPA

Celebrating its 12th year, the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California gets even better this 2008, creating a system of competitions designed to provide invaluable experience and exposure for achieving artists around the world, including our very own Panky Trinidad.

Cebuana rocker Panky Trinidad first announced her participation in the WCOPA in her hometown via an intimate presscon last week, saying that she has taken this challenge to represent the country in what has been dubbed as the "Talent Olympics" for performing artists to make her Cebuano fans proud. 

Despite several months of hiatus last year, there's no denying that Panky has come a long way musically. The oldest among three siblings, this former call center agent used to be the lead vocalist of the local band "Grapeshot," which won the Musiklaban Regional Finals in 2004,  then fronted "Anino," the only band in Cebu that plays progressive rock and graphic industrial music.

Then, Panky joined ABS-CBN's reality search show "Pinoy Dream Academy" season one, wherein due to her enormous talent, she became a star scholar for four times and bagged the fourth place at the end of the season.

With her unique personality and vocal prowess, she earned the title among avid fans, "The Goddess of Rock," and Panky vowed to continuously improve her craft to live up to that title.

Having enough experience as a singer, she was invited to screen for the WCOPA held recently in Metro Manila and was ultimately chosen to represent the country in five singing categories of the said competition that will be held in the Universal City Walk, Hollywood and Westin Bonaventure, downtown Los Angeles, on July 19-26, this year.

She should top the five categories namely Rock, Pop, Broadway, Gospel and Jazz in order to claim the Grand Champion of the World title.

In the presscon held at the Laguna Garden Café, Panky revealed her curious choice songs: Troubled by Elvis Presley (Rock), This Ain't A Love Song by Bon Jovi (Pop), Jesus Christ Superstar (Broadway), His Eyes is on a Sparrow by Lauryn Hill (Gospel) and I Got You by James Brown (Jazz).

The FREEMAN Entertainment was intrigued as to why Panky chose songs that were originally performed by male artists. "I really wanted to sing these songs because I want to break the barrier that once you're a female, you can only sing those sung by females and vice-versa. I also got this idea from Kuya Jed (Madela) who really approved my songs. During his time at WCOPA, one factor that impressed the judges was that Kuya Jed, even if he is male, sang female songs. Akong gipatas-an ang ubang key to have a greater degree of difficulty," enthused Panky, who has found a mentor in former WCOPA Grand Champion Jed Madela.

During the auditions before licensed scout and national director Carlo Orosa, Panky was not expecting that she would be picked to represent the country in the WCOPA. "In the auditions, I sang 'We Will Rock You' to somehow create an impact on Mr. Carlo Orosa. Pero, when I sang it, I did not see any signs of interest on his face. At the back of my mind, I was thinking, 'Dili jud ko niya feel.' He then asked me, 'Can you sing anything but rock?' So, I sang 'His Eyes is On a Sparrow' by Lauryn Hill on the movie, 'Sister Act'."

She continued, "After the deliberation, I was surprised at Sir Carlo's comment. He told me, 'Naloka kami sa'yo nung audition!' They have higher expectations of me to perform well in the WCOPA, which flattered me, pero at the same time, pressure pud," Panky shared.

Panky is expected to battle it out with contestants from over 50 countries for the Grand Champion of the World vocal title. Other categories include dance, modelling, acting, comedy, instrumental, etc.

The finals will put a spotlight on a competition unrivaled in the history of performing arts with agents, producers, directors and others from Hollywood and Broadway entertainment industries invited to judge as well as screen new faces and talents.

Since the Philippines first joined this global competition three years ago, the country has been able to produce four legitimate Grand Champions of the World, namely; Jed Madela (solo vocalist) in 2005, the Cercado Sisters (group vocalist) in 2006, Reymond Sajor (solo vocalist) and Aria Clemente (solo vocalist) in 2007. Countless Filipino contestants also received special awards in various competition categories in the elimination rounds at WCOPA for the past three years.

Panky and her friends in the Cebu music scene will also hold a fund-raising concert to help finance her participation in the WCOPA. The concert will take place at the Paseo this May 30.