Meet OPM@PAGCOR's new winners

Why another singing contest? Doesn’t the Philippines have enough singing searches yet?

Bong Quintana, AVP for Entertainment of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has a ready answer. “There’s always room for another one because we have too many talented singers. The Philippines is a country where excellent singers abound.”

Through OPM@PAGCOR, now on its second year, PAGCOR has discovered talented singers and has given them a venue to perform and develop their talent.

Very recently, PAGCOR harvested another brilliant group in this year’s winners of OPM@PAGCOR. They are Froilan Canlas, 28, grand prize winner; Arah May Rodriguez, 18, second placer; and Jennifer Maravilla, 18, third placer.

They, along with the grand finalists, went through rigorous auditions and voice workshops (professional singing and live performance workshop) conducted by top performers who prepared them for the life of a professional singer. The trio got, among other prizes, a chance to perform in different Casino Filipino branches around the country. Get to know OPM@PAGCOR’s new winners.

What is your motto in life?

Arah: “The greatest revenge is to accomplish what others say you cannot do.”       

Jennifer: “God sometimes puts us in the dark so we could see the light.”

Froilan: “Whatever you do, do it for the glory of God.”

What motivated you to join the OPM@PAGCOR talent search?

Arah: “My family. I want to give them a better life. They are my inspiration.”        

Jennifer: “I want to showcase my talent and I wish to gain more experience in singing.”   

Froilan: “The competition’s advocacy to promote Filipino music and the chance to help my family financially motivated me to join this contest. I also believe that this talent search could lead me to better opportunities in the future.”

What would people be interested to learn about you?

Arah: “Sa tingin ko po mas maganda kung ang tao mismo ang makaka-discover niyan at sabihin nila sa akin.”

Jennifer: “Apart from singing, I also love dancing.”

Froilan is congratulated by (from left) Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) secretary Dingdong Avanzado, PAGCOR director Lito Tanjuatco and OPM president Ogie Alcasid

Froilan: “I know how to play different Philippine and Asian indigenous instruments like the kulintang, gangsa, rondalla, koto of Japan, erhu of China and gamelan of Indonesia.”

Have you had any formal music training? Or participation in any band or a choral group?

Arah: “I didn’t have any formal music training. I just practice on my own. I am a band vocalist in Pangasinan and that is what I do for a living.”

Jennifer: “I am a member of the Trio singing group.”

Froilan: “I took Asian Music and I am taking Musicology at the U.P. College of Music. I also joined different bands since I was 18.”

If there is a song that best describes your life, what is it and why?

Arah: “Dance With My Father. Gusto ko po mag-kaayos na kami ng Papa ko, ang hirap po pala kapag may kinikimkim na sama ng loob sa magulang.”

Jennifer: “The song Go The Distance best suits me. Dreams may not be easy to attain but hope is very essential to keep you going.”

Froilan: “The inspirational song Gaya Ng Dati by Gary Valenciano.”

What do you think was your advantage over the others?

Arah: “I think my advantage is when I sing, I sing from the heart.”

Jennifer: “I guess my advantage over the others are my skills in performing. I can dance well.”

Froilan: “My experience is one advantage. I can also sing and perform different types of music genre.”

Who are your musical influences?

Arah: “Locally, I like Regine Velasquez. As for the foreign and international music icons, Beyoncé is my favorite because she is a total performer.”

Jennifer: “Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Lani Misalucha are my music idols. I love the way they interpret their music.”

Froilan: “Regine Velasquez and Martin Nievera. I am also fond of singing and listening to the music of Boyz II Men, George Michael and Usher.”

What do you think are the qualities of a total OPM performer?

Arah: “A total performer is someone who does not only sing well but also has a knack for entertaining his audience.”           

Jennifer: “A total OPM performer should know the soul of his or her song and can express it well for the audience.”

Froilan: “A total OPM performer can sing from the soul and affect whoever listens to him.”

Have you joined other singing competitions before? Tell us about your experience.

Arah: “I started joining singing contests when I was 10 years old. I also sang during school programs. Minsan po nananalo, minsan naman natatalo. Pero ang mahalaga, masaya ako sa ginagawa ko.”

Jennifer: “Yes. It’s been an amazing experience. It helped enhance my craft.”

Froilan: “I joined a TV competition in 2005. I met different celebrities and other people from the music industry. I did not win but I learned a lot from the competition.”

Your thoughts on OPM@PAGCOR nationwide talent search for the Top OPM idol.

Arah: “Through this talent search, PAGCOR was able to help a lot of aspiring singers. Thanks, too, for the free workshop. Doon pa lang, panalo na kaming lahat.”

Jennifer: “It is an opportunity for aspiring Filipino singers.”

Froilan: “I am happy that we have contests that promote Filipino music despite the popularity of foreign songs. I also love the idea that the grand finalists will be given performance workshops.”

You are now winners. What advice can you give to aspiring singers?

Arah: “Keep on practicing and honing your craft. And every time you sing, dedicate it to God because without Him, we won’t have all these gifts and talents.”

Jennifer: “Never stop singing. Enjoy and cherish every performance and sing from the heart.”

Froilan: “Just keep dreaming. Never stop. Always put God in your heart when you sing.”