JANINE Berdin of Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu is the grand winner of “It’s Showtime’s” Tawag ng Tanghalan.
She bested 11 other contestants in the second season of the contest. Steven Paysu of the US won third place while Ato Arman, representing Mindanao, was announced as runner-up.
Berdin’s winning performance was a Bamboo medley: “Hallelujah” and “Noypi” and “Tatsulok.”
The 16-year-old is the epitome of the saying: “When life knocks you down, get back up and fight harder.”
Berdin tried out for the first season of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in 2016 but failed. Noven Belleza was the first winner of the revived contest. Belleza also had a Cebu connection. A Cebu City-based entertainer complained that Belleza sexually assaulted her on the eve of the concert of comedian Vice Ganda in Cebu last July. The case was eventually dismissed.
According to ABS-CBN, Berdin joined “Star Circle Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Superstars 4” when she was a child and reached the semi-finals round. Despite losing that contest, she started acting, appearing on several episodes of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”
She also auditioned for “The Voice Kids PH” and didn’t prosper.
But now, she’s P2 million richer and will have a new house and lot from Camella—just some of the prizes she took home yesterday after winning. She will also have a talent management contract to pursue her singing career.
She is not just a performer, she is also a leader. Berdin is a Citizen Army Training officer in her school in Mactan, Lapu-Lapu City.
The Lapu-Lapu City Government was updated in Berdin’s quest for the singing trophy.
Mayor Paz Radaza welcomed Berdin’s win and is planning on giving her an award especially since the teenager brought the city’s name to the contest instead of the usual Cebu Province.
“I am watching your performance, Janine. I am so proud of having a world-class and talented young artist in our city. So proud of you!” Radaza said in her Facebook page.
“Oponganons are proud of you, Janine! See you in Lapu-Lapu City,” the Lapu-Lapu City Government Facebook page also said.
Tawag ng Tanghalan is an amateur singing competition in the noontime show “It’s Showtime.” It pits singers from Metro Manila, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The latest season also included contenders from different parts of the world.
The Cebuana teenager represented the Visayas.
The competition is a revival of the 1953 talent search of the same name.
#TNT2HuLingTapatan was the top-trending topic on Twitter worldwide yesterday. Berdin’s name was runner-up in the trending list.