2012 FilOz Idol winners named by N.Elaine Valenzuela

Another year has passed, and a new batch of winners declared. The recent competition heralds a new beginning for this year’s winners and hope for those who are in need.  The 2012 FilOz Idol-Adult Category winners are Justin Richard Glen Abella, Grand Prize Winner;  Rogel “Jay R” Salvo, 1^st Runner-up; and Marie Dominique Lizardo, 2^nd Runner-up. Meanwhile, the Young Category winners are Aliyah Kristine Adonis, Grand Prize Winner; Jehscy Hatsue Sotelo, 1^st Runner-up; and Rachel Brereten-2^nd Runner-up.

This year’s FilOz Idol Singing Contest was held at BMW Edge, Federation Square last 3 November 2012.  The show started with the six finalists singing “Don’t Stop Believing”. The invocation was led by Bro. Vicente Del Pilar, while the welcome was given by BBFA’s President Lyn Castillo, and an inspirational message was given by long time supporter of BBFA’s and the Melbourne FilOz Idol Singing Contest, Philippine Honorary Consul General in Victoria Hon. Virginia Kalong.

Yshrael Pascual, who had a blind audition on The Voice and a member of an R & B vocal group 4te led the line up of guests.  He advised the contestants to follow their dreams and that challenges will make them a strong person.  FilOz Idol alumni came to show their support and exhibit their vocal styling. Vanessa Cosic, 2011 FilOz Idol Grand Prize Winner sang “Die In Your Arms” and “Speechless”; Jake Estabillo, 2011 FilOz Idol Judges Choice Winner,  did “Through the Years” and “Tears In Heaven”;  Kristine  Jacinto, 2008 FilOz Teen Idol Winner, sang “Gravity”; and Charlene Sotelo, former FilOz Idol finalist, sang “Patuloy Ang Pangarap” and was also co-emcee of Kit Tamani.

Kstar Evolutionz, an award winning hip hop dance studio in the West side of Melbourne, Deer Park composed of young students also performed.  The house broke into a pandemonium when the finalists danced the Gangnam Style together with the audience participating.

The Board of Judges were Judi Mus, Mike Honey, Grace Iwasaki, and Chiqui Russell, while the tabulators were Sonny Castillo and Margaret Sanchez, all long-time supporters of FilOz Idol.

This is Bridge Builders for Australasia’s fifth year of bringing music to Australia and of helping the needy people in the Philippines and in Australia. Besides BBFA’s usual partnership with the Emergency Relief Fund for the Philippines (ERFP) and several other Victorian Aussie-Filipino associations, they are doing feeding missions in Metro Manila and other provinces.

The Officers of Bridge Builders for Australasia are: Lyn Castillo, President; Lourdes Douglas, Vice-President; N.Elaine Valenzuela, Secretary; Joan Capuli-Delos Reyes, Assistant Secretary; Flora Basilio, Treasurer; Helen San Agustin-Acuna, Public Officer and Chairperson, Melbourne 2012 Fil-Oz Idol Singing Contest; Ruth Guiao, Aged Care Coordinator; and Ma. Aurora Enares, Auditor.