Protégé hunt kicks off in Bicol, Cebu

MANILA, Philippines - The battle for the next singing superstar begins with an overwhelming number of aspirants as the nationwide hunt for GMA 7’s Protégé kicked off its first leg of auditions in Bicol and Cebu.

Potential contenders flocked to the SM Naga event center last July 15 to take their chance in the auditions for the talent search. Imelda Papin traveled to the province to find the best music acts in the Bicol Region.

Kids, teenagers, adults and family singers queued and took moments on the centerstage to showcase their talents. Hopefuls came all the way from Albay, Legazpi, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte to find out if they could fit the mould of a protégé.  

Imelda, a native of the province, admitted that she really had a hard time choosing her three potential protégés.

Meanwhile, Rachelle Ann Go scoured the island of Cebu to find the best Cebuano music acts last July 17. She turned emotional over some of the talents who performed in front of her. Hundreds of Protégé hopefuls gathered at SM City Cebu and showed that the Queen City of the South has a lot of undiscovered talents.

After the audition, Rachelle tweeted: “Magaling mga nag-audition kanina para sa protege dito sa Cebu! nahirapan ako pumili ng 3. Kung pede lang magpasok ng madami gagawin ko!”

Both mentors have three potential protégés who will be moving on to the next round of auditions in Manila. Eight more mentors are set to look for their prospective protégés as the second leg of auditions continues in Batangas tomorrow, July 24, with Claire Dela Fuente.

The nationwide auditions continue on the following dates and venues: July 29, NE Pacific Mall Cabanatuan; July 31, SM Pampanga; Aug. 5, SM Davao; Aug. 7, CSI Mall Dagupan; Aug. 10, SM Cagayan de Oro; and Aug. 13, SM Mall of Asia Music Hall. Auditions will be from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.