The future looks bright for Oona

The president is out! Not in Malacañang but in the Academy and she is Oona Barreto, the class president and Pinoy Dream Academy’s (PDA) fourth evictee from Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Oona’s nomination to be evicted has shortened her term to six weeks and ended her chance to harness more her talent in singing and dancing.

"I would like to stay longer in the Academy but I also felt that among the scholars nominated for eviction, I was the one who would be booted out as it was my third time to be nominated," the 23-year-old says.

Oona’s stay in the Academy has improved her singing and dancing skills, developed her self-confidence and improved her outlook in life. That is why she considers her leaving the Academy as the start of getting a lot of opportunities either in showbiz or in her profession. She is now prepared for every challenge she might encounter.

The possibility of going back to teaching is always there but Oona has always wanted to be a singer like her soprano sister Deeda and dad Vicente, a retired Manila Times editorial cartoonist, who is also a band member and contemporary of Eddie Mesa. Before joining PDA, she also auditioned in Philippine Idol and passed until the second round.

"Teacher Sweet (Plantado) inspired me to pursue my passion in singing. My voice fits bossa nova songs," Oona says.

In fact, she had the chance to have a duet with Sitti when she guested on Studio 23’s PDA. She admired the way Sitti rendered the song. Now, Oona wants to be a bossa nova singer.

The Child Development in Education graduate also composes songs and has a passion in the performing arts. She once played Dorothy in Miriam College’s adaptation of the play The Wizard of Oz.

" I hope Piolo Pascual can be my leading man someday," she says.

As the Academy’s former "class president," Oona has her own list of top scholars. Rosita Bareng tops the list as Oona saw the total performer in her and Rosita’s determination to learn all the things the masters are teaching. Yeng Constantino, on the other hand, is Oona’s second choice for the girl’s ability to render all types of songs beautifully and third is Panky Trinidad for her excellence in voice modulation. Also on the list are Jay-R, Chad, Ronnie Liang and Yvan Lambatan.

Oona has nothing but praises for her headmasters.

"I admired Master Jim (Paredes) for his wisdom which helped me become a better person. Teacher Maribeth’s (Bichara) dancing is full of passion and one could sense her sincerity and dedication to the craft and I really became close to Teacher Sweet as she pushed me to sing well."

Oona will never forget the song Out Here On My Own not only because it was the last song she rendered in PDA but also because it pushed her to give her best.

Asked about her lovelife, Oona jokes, "It’s zero. I thought I will have one in the Academy."

Now out of the Academy, talented Oona’s future will surely be bright – whether she becomes a singer or chooses to continue being a teacher.