Filipino excellence shine in Pilipinas Got Talent

Twenty-six year-old pole dancer Johnny Villanueva from Quezon City has one big dream and that is to become part of the world-renowned group Cirque Du Soleil.

He was unsuccessful in auditioning online and had no financial means to travel to the US and Canada to audition in person.

 These did not deter his determination. Johnny relentlessly pursued his passion and improved his mastery of pole dancing until he auditioned in ABS-CBN’s world-class talent search Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT).

“I am hoping that Pilipinas Got Talent will open doors for me to finally become part of Cirque Du Soleil,” he said.

 With his flawless and breathtaking performance, Johnny won over all four judges that include Freddie “FMG” Garcia, Angel Locsin, Robin Padilla and Vice Ganda. His audition video has been shared by many netizens on social media.

“You deserve to be part of Cirque Du Soleil and I am sure there is a right time for that. Maybe God doesn’t want to give it to you yet because He wants us to see you first and He wants your fellow Filipinos to enjoy your talent first,” Vice commented.

“When you do something from the heart, nothing is really impossible. That’s what you showed me just now,” added Robin.

Johnny is only among the many PGT auditionees who showed how Filipinos excel in their respective crafts and how Filipinos are very determined to succeed in life, not just for themselves but for their families as well.

Ever since the sixth season of Pilipinas Got Talent premiered last Jan. 6, the show has been dominating weekend programming in national TV ratings and is also a consistent trending topic on social media. Viewers nationwide have been witnessing various acts that are truly world-class and make Filipino talent stand out.

Just like 21-year-old JM Bayot from Cavite who made the judges’ jaws drop by doing smoke tricks using his vape or e-cigarette.

When asked why he joined Pilipinas Got Talent, JM said he wants to win the grand prize so that his mother, who is currently working as a domestic helper in Italy, can already go home and be with them for good.

“I am very impressed with your extraordinary talent. We have never witnessed anything like it here in PGT. I am also inspired by your story and how you are doing this for your mom,” said Angel.

Julius Obero and Rhea Marquez from Pasig, meanwhile, captivated everyone and earned a Golden Buzzer from Angel for their “combi para dance sport act,” or an act that involves an athlete with a physical impairment affecting the lower limbs and an able-bodied partner.

This new and exciting season is also witness to never-before-seen, innovative and very creative acts the likes of Karl Matrix of Cavite, Bardilleranz of Baguio City and Orville Tonido of Quezon City.

Karl took his magic tricks to the next level and fused them with a television set creating beautiful illusions. From making a piece of white cloth go inside the TV screen until it bloomed into flowers that later on popped back right into his hands, Karl’s flawless timing made his act an exemplary one.

“Your synchronization, video and live action were all flawless. This is the first time I saw an act like that so I am giving you a big yes,” commented FMG.

The macho boys of Bardilleranz, meanwhile, created something astig out of their love for bodybuilding and presented for the first time a pull-up bar act. Using their strength and flexibility, they showed various tricks and stunts using the pull-up bars that earned them FMG’s Golden Buzzer.

Last but not the least, Orville, who entered the PGT stage wearing a black wedding gown ala-Ivy Aguas, used his creativity to bring laughter to the judges and the live audience. While lip-synching Maja Salvador’s hit song Dahan Dahan, the 32-year-old performer pulled out different leaves from his gown, suggestively changing the song’s lyrics to Dahon Dahon. In the end, he pulled out one big coconut tree leaf that got everyone laughing out loud.

“It was very simple. Nakakatawa,” quipped Vice.

Pinoy acts in Pilipinas Got Talent have shown that they are truly world-class and cannot only conquer the local stage but the international stage as well. Some of them made it to the first edition of Asia’s Got Talent with El Gamma Penumbra winning the grand prize.

Who will emerge as this season’s grand winner?

For more world-class acts, watch Pilipinas Got Talent on ABS-CBN airing Saturdays and Sundays.