The ‘Pinoy class’ singers of today

In London, last Sept. 25, singer Alisah Bonaobra stunned the four judges of the reality talent show X Factor UK with her rendition of Beyoncé’s Listen. Judge Nicole Scherzinger was in tears as she gave Bonaobra a standing ovation.

“I am crying because I come from very humble beginnings as well. You’re just gorgeous; you’re just this tiny little thing with a voice given from God, this unbelievable gift blowing everybody away. I connect with you and everybody and it’s a yes for you and all the Filipinos out there.” Scherzinger, former frontman of the Pussycat Dolls, was born Nicole Valiente to a part-Filipino family in Honolulu but grew up in the US Mainland.

Bonaobra comes from a family of modest means with eight children. She got to London and to X Factor, thanks to the help of a friend of her mother’s who gave her the money for the plane ticket. The four yesses sent her to the X Factor boot camp where there are already four Filipino singers who made it through the first round of auditions. Elysa V, JBK and Gaga Lord. They now all have a crack at the grand prize and a possible music career anywhere they choose.

Judge Sharon Osbourne did not cry but admitted, “I just want to cry. It’s a yes from me.” The third judge talent manager Louis Walsh also gave a yes. “I think she’s adorable! You’re a great singer; you’re a great person! It was a great audition, but there is something about you that we really like.”

Music bigwig Simon Cowell was in agreement. “This is not the best version of this song I’ve ever heard, I’m not gonna lie to you. But there’s something about you I really, really like. Great, great, great energy! That was good; I really enjoyed that.”

And those of you who watched that particular episode, take note of what the hard-to-please Cowell said. “I always think a lot of people from where you’re from. (The Philippines, of course). Amazing singers.” And this was even before he heard Bonaobra sing a single note.

Cowell was also a judge in America’s Got Talent out there in Los Angeles where 10-year-old Filipino American singer Angelica Hale came in second in the recent 12th season finale. The winner was Darci Lynne Farmer, a 12-year-old singing ventriloquist.

Note that word, ventriloquist. Farmer is more than a singer. She is also a ventriloquist who came with a complete act that she can headline with in Las Vegas. She was singing with two puppets. Had the final battle been between two singers, I am sure that Hale, who performed Symphony by Clean Bandit, would have won hands down. But just think, Hale is only 10. She has an exciting future ahead of her.

Presenter Tyra Banks gave Angelica a hug. “What a way to open the show,” the supermodel said. “And this is the finale.” TV host Howie Mandel said, “You’re only four feet tall, but you’re a giant, the best we had in the show.” Model Heidi Klum also gushed, “You look comfortable, confident, you controlled every note, everything, absolutely amazing.”

Spice Girl Mel B was no different. “It seems to me you made the choice. That’s relevant.” And from Cowell, “This is the moment your career starts, it was with Britney, Christina and Justin Timberlake.”

At the PJ Live Arts in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it was Filipino Lance Busa who won the Asia-wide Bolt Of Talent singing competition conducted by the Grammy-winning hitmaker Michael Bolton. Busa performed his own version of Bolton’s How Am I Supposed To Leave Without You. Mild Sittatikarnvech of Thailand came in second. Also a semi-finalist was Pinoy Hans Dimayuga.

Busa got a record deal, became a Subaru brand ambassador and will be the front act of Bolton’s Asian Dream Tour concert including the Manila leg that will be held at the Marriot Grand Ballroom. He is 22 years old and comes from Butuan City. He was formerly a finalist in the GMA 7 boy band reality search To The Top.

The new season of Asia’s Got Talent is set to open soon and I am wondering what surprises Filipino talents have in store for Asian viewers this year.

The revered Ryan Cayabyab recently posted that local singers should not be described as “Pinoy class” instead of “world class. ” And I say that singers of whatever nationality should then be called “Pinoy class” if they are any good.

“But only if they have the heart.” So very well put Mr. C.