once upon a TIME... I WAS A CONTESTANT...

I always love to sing since I was little. My favorite Disney Princess singer was Ariel in Little Mermaid. Yup. I was in love with the thought that I can be a mermaid too. hahah Anyways, since American Idol was launched in the US it was the most exciting event in the whole world. So our school started the singing idol event. Our wonderful professor at that time was Sir Lawrence Tolosa whom I had the privilege of being a co-judge in the YHE-Benildean Singing Idol and also Sir Angelo Lacson. They were the ones who created the event. Our YHE or Young Hoteliers Exposition are one of the events that we, students, loved to participate in. 

Lets not go into YHE coz we will take a long time to talk about it.. hehe So lets go back to Singing Idol. When it started, I was second guessing myself if i wanted to join or not because it's a major event. First of all, a lot of students will be able to see it. I'm not that confident enough at that time to really go out of a limb to show what i am really capable of. So i tried to ask my friends like Tiffany Sia who is my BFF in college. My partner in crime haha. At first she said to me, "seryoso ka dude? kaloka ka?" Then i asked my parents. Well, they were very supportive.

So i tried practicing and practicing like literally going to the KTV after school which is like 5min from our school. COOL RIGHT!! Who doesn't know Providence? hahah the cheapest KTV in town. During our time it was like P5 per song so i poured my heart out singing with my friends. I finally decided to join and really tried my best at the audition. The first Singing Idol had no theme, but only solo performers are allowed, so i was really excited but soo effin nervous. I can't breathe. And the audition is like acapella pa. Kumusta naman diba?! Pag pumiyok ka .. waley na talaga!! But i prayed and my friends are there outside the audition room looking at me and supporting me (there was a window at the door).

Well, good things come to those who practice! So I GOT IN!! But I didn't win. The winner was soo great, i totally remembered her name since she really had the vocals to be in American Idol - Charlie Spears - She was the one to beat! But never the less i poured my lungs out, i sang "So Slow" by Freestyle since they were my ultimate fave band in my highschool and college days. I went to like 3 of their concerts. And i think my vocal range is alike of Jinky Vidal hahah NAAAKKSS!!! joke!!  i just love her! Period. But it didn't end there. The experience gave me confidence to try again next time. So i did, i tried again and again. Twice I didn't win. 

Then the moment came. Finally, I won not once, but 3 times. Benildean Singing Idol - Solo (Game Of Love by Michelle Branch)  , Benildean  Band Idol (Oo by Up Dharma Down ) with our band at that time "4 To Go" and Benildean Duet Idol - (Dreamlover by Mariah Carey ) with Tiffany Sia - ( this is also another funny story ) need to ask her permission if i should post it here , she might kill me! hahah lol Love you Tiff! 
Even Sir Tolosa & Sir Angelo said to me, (which I will never forget coz its so funny) "Ikaw nanaman, pag bigyan mo naman yung iba hahah" 
Well, after the benildean duet, i decided to be done with it and moved on. After i graduated, Sir Ele, also one of my fave professors and Ms.Lhoree Valerio asked me to Judge the Benildean Idol. Of course i said yes, how could i not? Since then until now, i will always say yes and support YHE all the way.  After the judging and watching the contestants, it was a reminiscing experience for me thinking of my days back then when the anxiety kicks in, the applause of the crowd. It was a massive hit when the Singing Idol Begins i tell ya.. I will do it all over again..