“We are happy that Kimverlie S. Molina is with us tonight. Rooting for her performance, the crowd was really held spellbound by her sonorous but powerful voice,” Villamor said.

Molina bagged the 2009 Grand Champion Senior Vocalist of the World in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WYCOPA) in Hollywood last July and won the ABS-CBN’s TFC Popstar Grand Middle East Championship in Dubai in 2006.

Villamor could not have been further from the truth. The crowd occasionally broke into a sporadic applause as Molina sang songs such as “Hush-Hush,” “Inseparable,” “On My Own” and “Somewhere.” Many of them stood up and accompanied the svelte singer in singing “Hush-Hush” and mimicked her as she swung her body.

“The crowd, including teachers, was held spellbound by Kimverlie’s voice, which is sweet and lung-bursting when the song calls for it,” said Shiela M. Cervo who teaches at the Future Generation International School.

Thanking the ambassador for inviting her to perform, Molina dedicated a song, “Inseparable,” to him and his wife, prompting the former to fetch his better half who was inside their residence.

Molina capped her performance by singing the patriotic song “Ako ay Pilipino” (I am a Filipino), which tugged at the hearts of the audience, reminding them of their home country.

Kimverlie, who grew up in the Eastern Province, is scheduled to leave next month for the United States where she is to continue her bachelor’s degree in music production under a scholarship she was granted for winning WYCOPA. She started her course at the College of St. Benilde at De La Salle University.

“She would also grab opportunities in singing and guest appearances, if any,” said her father-coach Ronaldo E. Molina. She’ll be under the guardianship of her mom’s brother, Bobby Soriano, who is a businessman.

Best Actress Awardee Boots Anson Roa and showbiz columnist Nestor Torre were in the crowd which was captivated by Molina’s singing as she sang English and Tagalog songs.

Roa and Torre are here for the showing of the film “Ded na si Lolo (Grandfather is Already Dead)”. They are scheduled to hold a briefing on the Filipino film industry at the Elite International School (Saturday), Al-Danah International School (Monday), Al-Taj International School (Tuesday) and International Philippine School in Riyadh (Wednesday).

Rose G. Malicse, cultural attaché, invited the crowd to attend a Filipino community night on June 25.