Two years ago, the very first season of AXN’s talent search series “Asia’s Got Talent” proved to be an embarrassment of riches for the Philippines.
Not only was the country well-represented by hosts Marc Nelson and Rovilson Fernandez, the Philippines also had the most number of competing talents in the Top 9, with the all-male shadow play dancers El Gamma Penumbra ultimately winning the top prize of US$100,000. The group is now a sought-after attraction in several parts of the world.
Third placer Gerphil Flores, a classical crossover singer known for her powerful soprano voice, has likewise become a first-rate concert act since “Asia’s Got Talent” opened many doors for her.
Ditto with the multi-genre dance group Junior New System, who won Senior Grand Champion Performer and Champion Dance Group honors at last year’s World Championship of Performing Arts held at Long Beach, California.
Pop singer Gwyneth Dorado, who was only 10 when she made it to the Grand Finals of “Asia’s Got Talent” in 2015, also became visible on the live circuit and was most recently cast as one of the orphans in Resorts World Manila’s award-winning production of “Annie: The Musical.”
Because of the country’s stellar showing, Filipinos are naturally expected to be the performers to beat for the show’s recently launched new season. And if the thousands who turned up during the open auditions held last weekend at the QCX: Quezon City Experience are anything to go by, it looks like the country will be well-represented again in this year’s competition.
Billed as the world’s greatest talent competition, “Asia’s Got Talent” welcomed individual and group performers of all ages, who took to the stage with dreams of making it to the next round. Those who turned up at the open auditions included magicians, singers and acrobats to dancers and variety acts.
The auditions, which started at around 10:30 in the morning, was an eventful day full of dazzling performances that lasted well until the evening.
Some of the most incredible talents who started queuing as early as 3AM included a haka dance group, fire dancers, a 9-month pregnant singer and harpist, a diabolo (Chinese yoyo) performer, a differently-abled duo, a beatboxer and numerous vocalists and dancers.
“Asia’s Got Talent celebrates performers of any age and with any dream and that was certainly the case here in Philippines today. Our first season was won by the Filipino shadow dance group, El Gamma Penumbra, and this has inspired the entire nation to pursue their dreams. I wish all performers who auditioned for Asia’s Got Talent today the very best of luck and I hope to see them shine on Asia’s Got Talent later this year,” said Virginia Lim, senior vice president and head of content, production and marketing, Sony Pictures Television Networks, Asia.
