The Big V features big voices, big dreams

The Filipino dream of rising from the ashes of poverty via that golden voice will come to reality once again as twenty – 10 adults and 10 kids – from all over the Bicol region will hold an intense battle of the voices at Kaogma Festival’s annual singing competition – The Big V - commences on the evening of May 23, 2017 at the Freedom Sports Stadium, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur. From more than a hundred that showed up last May 11, 2017 at the audition and grand elimination, 10 kids with big voices and 10 adults with impressive performances wowed the jurors and connect with the audience to land in the circle of finalists who will perform at the grand finals with celebrity guest performers Ryzza Mae Dizon of Eat Bulaga fame, Tony Labrusca, a finalist at the Pinoy Boy Bandph, and third placer Froilan Canlas of It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan and a son of Bato, Camarines Sur. The 10 adult contestants are: Jestoni Marcial Villegas, 23 years old, from Aroroy, Masbate; Victoria Lei R. Remoto, 16 years old, from San Jose, Camarines Sur; Bryan O. Mimay, 15 years old, from Salvacion, Tigaon, Camarines Sur; Janelle Abegail de Jesus, 24 years old, from Lagonoy, Camarines Sur; Diane E. Lopez, 21 years old, from Pili, Camarines Sur; Bennie Satona, 22 years old, from Tabaco City, Albay; Ron Adrie R. Pavia, 18 years old, from Daraga, Albay; Venus O. Capayas, 15 years old, from Naga City; Kimberly F. Baluzo, 18 years old, from Daet, Camarines Norte; and Alyssa Patricia R. Hernandez, 20 years old, from Iraya, Daet, Camarines Norte. On the other hand, the 10 kiddie finalists are: Ian Joseph Prellegera, 8 years old, from Calzada, Ligao City, Albay; Angel C. Agravante, 12 years old, from Tagbong, Pili, Camarines Sur; Samiel Grace Franca, 10 years old, from Pk.6, Bombon, Tabaco City, Albay; Chriztel May S. Kallos, 11 years old, from Tabaco City, Albay; Myra Perez Abila, 11 years old, from Matacon, Polangui, Albay; John Mark Barquilla, 8 years old, from Bacacay, Albay; Nicole V. Iraula, 11 years old, from San Vicente, Ocampo, Camarines Sur; Shanise Aira Garcia, 12 years old, from Nasisi, Ligao City, Albay; Raven Carl C. Ricafort, 11 years old, from San Isidro, Pili, Camarines Sur; and Kyza N. Bayola, 11 years old, from Sorsogon City, Sorsogon. Criteria for judging for adults’ edition are: Voice Quality – 40%; Originality – 30%; Audience Impact – 20%; Production Number/Execution – 10% for a grand total of 100%. Whereas, for the kids’ edition, criteria for judging are: Voice Quality – 40%; Song Interpretation – 20%; Star Quality – 20%; Selection of Piece – 10%; Audience Impact – 10% for a grand total of 100%. The adult contestants will vie for these prizes: Grand Champion – Php75,000.00; First Runner-Up – Php50,000.00; Second Runner-Up – Php30,000.00; Third Runner-Up – Php20,000.00. The other 6 finalists will each receive Php5,000.00 as consolation prize. For the kids edition, they will compete for these prizes: Grand Champion – Php20,000.00; First Runner-Up – Php10,000.00; Second Runner-Up – Php5,000.00; Third Runner-Up – Php3,000.00. The other 6 finalists will receive Php1,000.00 each as consolation prize. Gov. Migz Villafuerte hopes to discover fresh singing talents from the province as it is a given that most Filipinos love to sing their hearts out and in the process find their ticket out of dire circumstance and despair by giving them hope and positive outlook in life. JMTS/MMEC with data from the PGO-Cultural Office