RIYADH, 14 March 2007 — An information technology student of the Second Philippine International College in Riyadh has won the chance to represent the Filipino community of Saudi Arabia in this year’s GMA-7 Pinoy Pop Superstar World Challenge.
Kervin Sawyer, who is expected to graduate this month, bested eight other contestants in the semifinal round held at the Multi Purpose Court of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh last Friday.
The other contestants were John Paul Arban, Mohammad Ali Ditucalan and Ava Marie Olegario from Jeddah; Jerome Lapena and Arlene Calleja from Jubail; Alex Jeremias, and Kenneth Sawyer from Riyadh; and Jerome Ignacio from Dhahran.
Orbit Product Manager Ken Fortun, head of the panel of judges, said that the winner will be sent to Manila for the April 29 World Challenger Showdown, competing with champions from other countries.
The winner in the World Challenger Showdown will get a cash prize of $10,000 and vacation package for four to a Philippine tourist destination, plus the chance to compete in the Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Finals at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila’s suburb of Quezon City on June 3.
The champion in the grand finals stands to win a GMA recording contract, GMA management contract, a brand new house and lot, brand new car and one million pesos (about $20,000).
“I will do my best to get the world challenge showdown. I know it’s hard but it will not stop me from fulfilling my dreams,” said Sawyer, the son of an elevator technician in Riyadh and whose family is from Pasay City in Metro Manila.
The competition was organized by the United OFW Association headed by Frank Naval and the Artist League for Culture Arts (ALCA) in Riyadh, with Orbit Channel and Western Union Money Transfer as the major sponsors.
Another highlight of the show was the raffle draw held for all the subscribers of Orbit’s Pinoy Plus package.
Robert Yumul from Dammam, whose name was drawn by Orbit’s top official Abdul Moshin Al Joyan, won the grand prize, a 2007 Toyota Camry.