Pinoy Dream Academy Little Dreamers

It was the Pinoy Dream Academy Little Dreamers' turn to make their dreams come true, two hours ago here in the Philippines. I was right again in my projection: 3rd place will go to Angelo, 2nd place to Amy and Philip will be the Grand Little Dreamer.

The oldest of the three finalists, the tears of joy of Philip could be expected. But for the two others, Angelo and Amy, both 6 years old, I was amused with their innocence. They all wanted to be the grand prize winner but the two youngest contestants were not sad they didn't get it, nor were they so happy that they also won as runner-ups.

The contest of the Little Dreamers is an example that as time goes by it becomes harder to compete with the younger batches because the performance level standards increase each year, as manifested by the youngest talents. I believe that the stage presence of these three winners are even better than their counterparts in the regular category.

Fulfilled dreams in Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2

Finally, the Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 contest is over. I was right that Laarni will be the "Grand Star Dreamer", but before I tell you why, let me tell you first about my observations for the top four scholars of the season:

Liezel: Her extraordinary talent was evident from the start. She could easily emerge as the winner.

Miguel: During the first gala nights, his flats irritated me, though it was nice to know that he is really a musician because he plays musical instruments as well. The first time he sang a fast song, I must admit I was impressed, but I was thinking that maybe faster or pop songs will fit him better. But from then on, whatever he sang was impressive and showed how greatly he has improved.

Bugoy: He also has an extraordinary talent which was evident from the start just like Liezel. His "Cinderella" story would make him a winner.

Laarni: At first I thought it would be great to recruit her as a soprano in a choir. Before the season ended, I thought she has the potential to be the next Lea Salonga who can perform outstandingly in a Broadway play. But that's only as far as her voice is concerned. I've seen more about her, I've seen her determined hope to change for the better, in all aspects.

Now here's to summarize the people's choice for the Top 3 scholars of the season:

Third: Miguel, the improved musician

Second: Bugoy the talented, whose "Cinderella" story proved appealing to Filipinos.

Grand Star Dreamer: Laarni, not only because of her voice but because of the "hope for change" that she symbolized, in my opinion.

So there you go, maybe the winner is who can best relate to the dreams of the majority of the people. For us Filipinos, we subconsciously dream for "change for the better", even in a singing contest.

Dream Academy

To be a soprano had been another childhood dream. I can remember regularly watching the "Sunday Sweet Sunday" show of Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, a Filipina soprano, when I was a child. She became my favorite, though I've kept that to myself, as well as the desire to be a soprano myself, maybe because I was very young then, and should go with the trend of singing pop music instead.

So that was what happened. I followed the trend but felt there was something wrong with my singing. At first it was nasal and then it was throaty.


Until the Carpenters became popular and I tried to emulate Karen Carpenter. I guess I was successful but that was with the help of a family friend, Raffy Amaranto, who taught me how to follow the diction of Karen. I still had limited range though, because I could not sing the high notes.

When I gave birth to my eldest daughter, Lauren, we noticed her exceptional talent in Music, and her profound interest to take up Bachelor of Music in college, at the University of the Philippines or UP. She majored in piano and even graduated Cum Laude. That inspired me to take up voice lessons at the extension program of UP's College of Music, for two summers. I learned a few techniques but I still need constant exposure and practice.



I'm glad that there is now a Pinoy Dream Academy that teaches scholars how to develop their voices and that I can watch in TV everyday so I can also learn. It's actually a double treat on weekdays, started by Uberture hosted by Billy Crawford! Pinoy Dream Academy's Headmaster, Ryan Cayabyab, who was one of my daughter's best teachers in UP and someone who doesn't need an introduction if you're a Filipino, Kitchy Molina, UP's Voice Department Head, and Joey Reyes, a popular film director, are the mentors of Pinoy Dream Academy, so the scholars are really very lucky!

I'd like to think I'm becoming a better soprano now, thanks to my son, O.C. and daughter, Lauren, who are persistently monitoring my singing and who are now both members of one of the best choirs in the Philippines, the Novo Concertante Manila, and yes, Pinoy Dream Academy for inspiring me. I want to try singing Mariah Carey's songs but I still like to sing Karen Carpenter's songs, so I'm now trying to practice shifting my voice from chest to head tone and vice versa.