Kanta Pilipinas finalists down to 12

MANILA, Philippines - When a field of talented competitors are trimmed down to the best few, having a colorful background must be an advantage.

This is the edge that siblings Nicole and Carlo David have in their run-up to claim the top prize in the ongoing Kanta Pilipinas singing star search aired by TV5. The interesting subplot that they’re children of veteran music icon Mon David simply gives them the additional natural glow in the eyes of the judges as they battle it out with the rest of the finalists that made it to the Top 12.

The competition’s final dozen was introduced to the entertainment press last March 7 at Alphonse Bar in Pasig City. The event allowed each to perform in a live karaoke set-up. But the presence of dad Mon resulted to a standout impromptu performance by him with his kids, as egged on by the press.

“Our dad is so supportive that he’d always express how proud he is of us and share words of positivity,” Nicole told The STAR.

Whether they admit it or not, the rest of the contenders will have to bear in mind that they’re slugging it out with a finalist raised and guided by a father who made it big in the industry. The triumphant atmosphere created by that detail alone surely put in the extra weight into the luggage of Nicole and Carlo. As one can expect, their tight harmony and admirable stage presence reflected the bloodline of talent and success reshaped into high confidence.

Carlo, who plays guitar and composes melodies, admitted, “Definitely, it’s an advantage being children of Mon David. We just have to deliver and keep the integrity molded by our father’s career.”

They are not only offspring of a successful musician, but both have strong musical training as well. The 24-year-old Carlo studied composition at the UP College of Music while his slightly older sister was part of the Ateneo Glee Club before.

The duo was part of the Batch 1 performers of the Top 24 that were chosen. They sang Atlantic Starr’s Always and advanced.

Of course, Nicole and Carlo will have to earn the nods of the contest’s esteemed judges to bring home the P1M prize and the recording contract that goes along with it. The shortlist is composed of Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha, Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, guest judge Vehnee Saturno and host-judge Rico Blanco, formerly of Rivermaya and now an established soloist himself.

Rico, who sang U2’s With Or Without You during the same Top 12 announcement gathering, shared his thoughts of the final 12, implying the enormous talent the finalists collectively possess.

Rico said, “It’s going to become tougher for us judges because the performances are getting better and better. Abangan nyo po ito every week para malaman niyo bakit kami nahihirapan.”

Kanta Pilipinas, which separates itself from other reality shows of such kind by virtue of its “judges solely decide who will win” component, airs every Saturday night at 9 on the Kapatid network.

Nicole and Carlo, whose main influence is The Carpenters, are vying for supremacy against interesting-in-their-own-right hopefuls like Fil-Spanish rocker Thara Jordana, Fil-Am crooner Timmy Pavino, “the sweet voice of Bicol” Pia Diamanté, singing hunk group 5az1 and Operation Smile singing ambassadress Chadleen Lacdo-o of Cebu.

The rest of the Top 12 are Ferns Tosco, Dea Formilleza, Allan Gonzales, Daniel Gorospe and JB Landrito, Jennifer Maravilla and Ricky Deloviar.

Nicole, who writes words her brother puts tunes to, said something that the public should take note of as it points to a vision beyond the contest. “Though we value our individuality, we are focused on nurturing our tandem and we want to be household names.”

Winning what’s stake in Kanta Pilipinas can surely be the first step towards such high goal.