RIYADH, 16 April 2003 — You could be the next singing sensation by joining Tinig OFW 2003.
A project of the Calabarzon (Cavite-Laguna-Batangas-Rizal-Quezon) group in Riyadh, the proceeds of this year’s contest will benefit the “Give-A-Life” program of the Department of Pediatrics of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
“We really need to exert our collective efforts to truly help the sick children at the PGH,” said Cesar Saavedra, the project consultant and director of Tinig OFW 2003.
Registration is going on and the second and final qualifying rounds have been set on April 25 at the Philippine Embassy, starting at 1 p.m.
Rene Caseda, chairman of this year’s project and the two previous contests, said qualifiers from the first and second eliminations will compete during the Riyadh Regional Finals on May 23. The grand finals will be on June 5, also at the embassy.
Noel Sahagun, a telecommunications technician, who interpreted “Ako’y Maghihintay” (I Will Wait) by Ariel Rivera, was declared as the lone qualifier for the first round, Caseda said.
As in the past, organizers said the competition is open to all Filipino migrant workers based in her Kingdom.
The previous champions were both women from Riyadh and Dammam, respectively.
For this year’s contest, the grand prize winner will receive a cash reward equivalent to 100,000 pesos, a trophy, and a certificate.
Calabarzon treasurer Edu Mercado said contestants are free to choose their entries, either an Original Pilipino Music (OPM) or international song. Amateurs, group band members, and even grand finalists of the previous competitions are qualified to audition.
Judging will be based on voice quality (40 percent), timing (20 percent), diction (20 percent), and showmanship and stage presence (20 percent), organizers said.
Those who would like to join the second and final elimination round in Riyadh may contact Caseda at 054-409759, Robert Fernandez at 052-532830, or Joji Umali at 052-221065.
In the Eastern Region, Calabarzon coordinator Tony Mercado in Dammam may be reached at 052-496911. In the Western Region, Tor Nap de Guzman of Jeddah may be contacted at 051-656490.
