Jovit Baldivino conquers Oro airwaves

LOUD cheers filled up the Atrium of Limketkai Center on Saturday night when Jovit Baldivino, Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 1 grand champion, serenaded the audience in a concert as he showed off his singing prowess that earned him the top award in ABS-CBN's talent search.

The diminutive Jovit brought the house down with his rendition of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love A Bad Name," Guns 'N Roses' "Knockin' On Heaven's Door," Firehouse's "I Need You Now (More Than Words Can Say)," "Mula Sa Puso" and "Dahil Mahal Kita".

Accompanied by the 4Wheel Drive Band, Jovit never failed the audience when he sang his signature song "Faithfully" toward the end of the show.

Being a neophyte in the entertainment industry, Jovit is definitely on his way to stardom as seen in the way he entertained the audience - with his nice voice and natural jokes - in only more than a year since winning the PGT grand champion title.

In a press conference held hours before the show, Jovit says he never expected to be where he is now.

Though undeniably he is getting famous now, he says he is still the same Jovit that his parents, friends and relatives know, with his feet still on the ground.

"Pag pupunta ako sa mall, hindi ako nagdi-disguise. Kung may mag request na magpa picture, game ako. Ako pa rin ang dating Jovit na nakilala nila," he says.

With success still trying to hit him, Jovit says he had stopped schooling but later want to go to college and take up a BS in Business Management degree.

At 17, Jovit is still trying to ink a name in the entertainment industry. But many say he can definitely make other singing stars a run for their money with his nice voice and down-to-earth attitude.

Supporting Jovit during the concert are PGT finalists Markki Stroem, Sherwin Baguion and the Ezra Band.

The ladies-favorite Markki serenaded the audience with Adele's "Rolling In The Deep," Frank Sinatra's "The Way You Look Tonight" and The Script's "The Man Who Can't Be Moved."

Sherwin, the hunk from Lanao del Norte, also showed off why he landed in the PGT finals with Kenny Loggins' "Forever," Gary Valenciano's "Tayong Dalawa," "Ngayong Nandito Ka" and "Ba't Di Mo Na Kaya."

The Ezra Band, a group from Davao City, also wowed the audience with Kaye's rendition of Air Supply's "I'm All Out Of Love," Kitchie Nadal's "Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin," "Walang Iba" and Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight."

Guest performers during the concert are Karizza and Adrian Villaroya.
The Cagayan de Oro concert is part of the PGT finalists' concert tour in the country.

After the Saturday show in the city, the group had another show in Lanao del Norte, Sherwin's hometown, on Sunday.

Gov. Khalid Dimaporo personally went to Manila and requested ABS-CBN to allow the group to perform in Lanao del Norte.

Sherwin said the show in his hometown is one proof that Mindanao, Lanao del Norte in particular, is not only about war and conflicts.