World singing champion to sing in Panaad event

BACOLOD CITY ,Philippines  -- Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. has invited Joshua Augustine Pineda to sing during the 50th Anniversary of OISCA (Organization for Industrial, Spiritual, and Cultural Advancement) International at the Panaad Park in this city on August 23 to 25.

Pineda, who just turned 12, will perform on August 25, said Mate Espina, executive assistant to the governor.

The young Negrense singing sensation, who hails from Sagay City, recently won the prestigious Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World and the Junior Grand Vocalist of the World titles at the 2011 World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California last July 15 and 16.

Marañon said he is very proud of Pineda, who visited him at the Capitol last Monday, accompanied by his mother Jesusa, and trainor John Raymund Castiller of Kulay Pikata.

Pineda performed his winning piece, Frank Sinatra's "They Can't Take That Away From Me," before the governor and Capitol officials and employees.

Pineda is also a child actor, playing Michael V's son Chito in the situational comedy "Pepito Manoloto" over GMA-7.

Joshua is the son of sales engineer Augusto Pineda and Jesusa Pineda, a former English teacher of the University of St. La Salle. They are from Barangay Paraiso in Sagay City.

Jesusa said Joshua started singing gospel songs when he was four years old and started joining singing contests when he was in Grade 3.

"From then on, we continued to develop his voice under the tutelage of his vocal coach, John Raymund Castiller," she said.

Joshua had studied in Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in Talisay City, but now, he is enrolled in a home study program at the Victory Elijah Schools Systems in Antipolo City.