RP tops World Championships of the Performing Arts

The Philippines has done it again in the 2008 World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) finals night held at the Westin Bonaventure California Ballroom in downtown, Los Angeles Friday night (July 25).  Thirteen-year-old Catherine Loria from Tiaong, Quezon was named the new Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World. 

Right before the big announcement, she was also awarded Junior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World for her rendition of the song I Believe I Can Fly.

For the senior category, Andrew Clarke of Jamaica won Senior Grand Champion Vocalist and the Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World titles. Out of 5,000 acts from over 40 countries, the two contestants topped the annual competition.

Other Pinoy grand finalists were Junior vocalists Tippy Dos Santos, 13; Rachel Razon, 13; and senior vocalist Marielle Corpuz, 22.

Last year, Aria Clemente also won the top awards in the Junior division. Jed Madela, who performed in the finals night, was the first Pinoy vocalist to win the Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World in 2005.