World Championship of Performing Arts Singer from Tanjay City wins three medals

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Chivas Anton Borromeo Malunda may have missed his chance to shine in two reality shows in the Philippines, but his love for singing brought him to higher heights after winning three medals in the World Championship for Performing Arts (WCOPA) last month in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A.

Chivas, 27, who hails from Tanjay City in Negros Oriental and the son of a retired police general, Irving and Zenaida Malunda, won three divisions in the solo singing category of the WCOPA.

In a press conference last week in Dumaguete City, Chivas showed to reporters his gold, silver and bronze medals as well as his division champion's plaque from the WCOPA.

Chivas was among the 35 junior and senior contenders, comprising the Philippine delegation, to Hollywood's "Official World Talent Championships" where at least 53 countries had sent their respective contestants.

The fair-skinned singer said he sang Michael Bolton's When a Man Loves a Woman to win the gold medal in the R&B category, edging out a contestant from the U.S.A.

The win surprised Chivas because his forte was rock, of which he also earned a silver medal by singing Welcome to the Black Parade, popularized by Chemical Romance.

In the open category, Chivas placed third for a bronze medal by performing his version of Pat Benatar's Hit Me With Your Best Shot.

Chivas was the only representative from the Philippines that competed in the solo singing contest for the 25-29 age group category. Other males in the Philippine delegation were much younger than him and competed in other categories, he said.

The singer, who failed to make it to ABS-CBN's The Voice of the Philippines recently and the Pinoy Dream Academy, told the media that he will now concentrate working on his first solo album that will feature his original compositions.

Chivas is married to Jovannie, also a multi-talented artist, with whom he has an 8-year old son, Jether. Jovannie, better known as Bunny, is also eyeing the WCOPA next year and would probably compete in the singing and modeling categories.  (FREEMAN)