Why Astroboy is the Ultimate Talentado

MANILA, Philippines - “I think it’s a mixture of the artistry inside of the act that you (as viewer) see and also how it feels where it hits you — in your stomach and in your soul,” shares Astroboy, TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy third Ultimate Talentado, about what talent is. “I think it’s the relationship between what the artist gives you and what you feel from the artist.”

During the performance night last Saturday, Astroboy or Daniel Darwin in real life simply showed his mastery of his craft and his power to entertain and amaze people. His hula hoop act spiced up with clever fire tricks stole the spotlight from traditional forms of talent such as singing and dancing — and gave him the edge to win the text voting public’s nod of approval.       

“I think that from the beginning what appealed to people with what I do is how joyful it makes me feel and also that I’m on fire,” says Astroboy of his grand finale performance. “I wanted to do something that incorporated a story of fire bringing light to people. (The dancing) is called hula hooping as far as I know. There’s a big community that is very linked with (the circus scene). It is called the Flow Arts Community. It’s like Poi (that) the Tribal Dancers (did) in the last season of Talentadong Pinoy. There’s contact stuff like contact juggling and many object manipulation arts. Hula hoop is one of those arts. It’s more than (spectacle). Actually, it’s like yoga which is the basis of the community of hula hoopers (for performing such art form).”  

Astroboy was in “absolute disbelief” when he was proclaimed the winner. He didn’t expect to win because he considers the other seven Hall of Famers as “my peers (and) as really incredible performers.”

Also in tight competition with Astroboy were pole dancer Johnny “Sustantivo” Villanueva, power belter Ivy Grace “Ayegee” Paredes, Kundiman singer Melbelline Caluag, Catarman’s pride Dancing Is Fun, ballroom dancing duo Craig and Samantha Abaya-Campos, sand artist Monica Regalario and Soul Diva Rhyzza Nicol Kafilas.

“(Last Saturday,) I was so scared, so nervous and so anxious,” he recalls. “I just told myself that ‘You gave the best performance. It’s up to God now.’ And I just (found) peace with whatever the verdict. I didn’t expect it would be me.”

Off Talentadong Pinoy stage, Astroboy is a 24-year-old Fil-Am who studied theater, French and creative writing at the New York University. He is into writing essays and plays and directing theater presentations. When he was young, Astroboy acted on stage for Trumpets and Repertory Philippines. “I would love to participate in more plays here. I think that exciting things are happening in the Philippine theater scene right now. And I would love to be part of that,” he says. Astroboy started hula hooping for birthday parties here, “and people really like what I do. And so, then I started performing more regularly and I started (doing) classes.”

Are Pinoys tired of singing and dancing acts and now preferring performers who mix art forms with theater and circus elements?

“I think that people will never get tired of singing and dancing here in the Philippines,” replies Astroboy. “There are so many singing competitions and dancing competitions (around). I do think that what I brought was something new. I was really happy to be one of the first people to bring hula hooping as an art form to the forefront.”