A 16-YEAR-OLD military trainee from Cebu was named grand champion in the Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2, besting five other singers, including one from North America.
Janine Berdin, dubbed the "Cadets My Girl of Cebu," got a total of 96.11 percent votes from the judges and texters.
Named second placer was Ato Arman of Mindanao who got 74.27 percent votes, while third placer Steven Paysu of North America got 61.80 percent votes.
Berdin received the P2-million grand prize, plus a trophy, brand new house and lot, a business franchise, a travel package, and recording and talent management contracts.
Arman got P500,000 and Paysu received P250,000. Also named as grand finalists but failed to make it to the top 3 were Reggie Turtogo of Ormoc City, Leyte, and Anton Antenorcruz and Arabelle Dela Cruz of Luzon. They received P100,000 each.
The Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 2 grand finals was aired on ABS-CBN's It' Showtime Saturday, June 2.
The judges in Saturday's competition were Filipino singers Rey Valera, Mitoy Yonting, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Billy Crawford, Yeng Constantino, Karla Estrada, Nyoy Volante, Jed Madela, K Brosas, Karylle Padilla, Kyla, Eric Santos, and Rico J. Puno.
(LMY/SunStar Philippines)