CEBUANO talent prevailed during the 22nd Annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held last July 6 to 15 in Long Beach, California.
Eleven out of 13 Cebuano delegates were declared as winners in the talent Olympics.
Miguel Luis Ibaseta and Maxwell Soller, a guitar duo, were hailed the Senior Grand Champion Instrumentalists of the World. Carren Eistrup Frederiksen, Edelweiss Hope Clores and Gabrielle Samantha Lerio, who competed in the Vocals with Instrument Category, and Renz Harvey Aleguijo and Gwyneth Lovelle Tayactac, who competed in the Vocals Category, were semi-finalists. Raiza Pagatpatan, David Lee, Jaienne Braveree Suralta and Klarylle May Dumancas, who competed in the Vocals Category, were bronze and silver medalists.
Team Cebu bagged 61 out of the 286 medals, plaques, badges, including the only trophy for the grand champions brought home by Team Philippines: 16 gold medals, 15 silver medals, nine bronze medals, 13 division champion plaques, seven semi-finalist badges and a trophy.
“This year is very notable because it’s the first time that we have produced the first ever Cebuano grand champions,” said Dennis Namocatcat, the official coach of Cebu delegates for WCOPA 2018.
Soller said that the Instrumentalists Category was a very tough competition for them because seven of their competitors were already world-class performers. They considered themselves as an amateur duo since it was their first time joining WCOPA.
“It was really a challenge and fortunately, we were able to bag the trophy or the Grand Champion Instrumentalists. It’s because we believed in ourselves. We prayed always. We practiced with passion. We practiced with motivation, and we always thought that we were bringing the Philippine flag on our shoulder,” he said.
For Ibaseta, his WCOPA experience was really fun because they got to know people from different regions of the country and their culture as well. They were able to learn more about their countrymen.
“I can say that my WCOPA experience was really good and if ever given a chance to compete again, I would love to compete again—not only for the trophies but for the memorable experience with other people,” said Ibaseta.
These Cebuano delegates not only enjoyed their WCOPA experience, they also learned a lot through it.
“There are far more important things than medals and trophies, and that is friendship and camaraderie. Some people will support you and others won’t, but don’t let them bring you down. Just keep on trying and don’t give up,” said Suralta.
Despite the challenges they encountered during the competition, they were able to rise up, bringing home the reward for their passion and hard work.
Tayactac said that one of the challenges they faced was the intimidation they received from their fellow foreign competitors.
“Other countries were really prepared to compete with our country,” said Soller.
Tayactac, for her part, said there were times they could not adapt to the weather and some developed illnesses, especially of the vocal cords. The judges, she said, were also hard to please. One needed to do something special to stand out.
“Katunga sa amo ang wala jud naka-medal (Half of the team didn’t get medals), so I felt bad. But I’m really happy that we overcame everything,” said Tayactac.
WCOPA is the only world talent Olympics and the aspiring contender must undergo a long process before getting into the competition.
“All of our performances were limited to one minute. So you have only one minute to show what you’ve got,” said Ibaseta.
Those who were accepted in the auditions had to attend an orientation the next day to know more about WCOPA and its different categories.
The expenses for the competition were also discussed. It was suggested that the participants must find sponsors.
“It’s not that easy. It’s also very challenging to prepare for the expenses and there are some deadlines also being imposed, so they (WCOPA national director) could also report to WCOPA America, which is the host,” said Namocatcat.
“If you’re going to join WCOPA and you make the cut, during the orientation, inig ka-kita ninyo sa amount nga inyong bayaran, ma-shock gyud mo (when you look at the amount of the expenses, you will be shocked). Ma-shock jud mo, ma-discourage mo to the extent na di na mo ganahan mu-join kay grabe ka-gasto (You will be shocked and discouraged to the extent that you would not want to join anymore because of the expenses),” said Soller.
“You have to consider the fact that most of the opportunities do not come directly to you. You have to find them and you have to seize the moment. You have to really invest your time. You have to really invest your money para maka-join ka sa WCOPA,” Soller also said.
“The amount is actually for your stay, for the airline, for the category registrations. It’s a lot of things,” said Namocatcat.
After completing all the necessary requirements, a blue jacket ceremony will be held and each aspiring participant will officially be declared as a Philippine delegate.
Since the competition has ended, these Cebuano talents, now dubbed world-class performers, have different plans. Most of them will focus on their studies.
Meanwhile, nine-year-old Frederiksen will join another contest at GMA 7. Ibaseta is also planning to join an international competition in Thailand.
Soller said that in WCOPA, one must connect with the audience, the listeners, and the viewers for one to be able to motivate them or inspire them to do the same with passion.
“In the given one-minute performance time, dapat lahat ng audience nakatingin lang sa ‘yo (all members of the audience should just look at you),” said Ibaseta. And that’s how it should be even during the actual competition.
WCOPA has produced several Filipino world champions such as Jed Madela, 4th Impact, Jonalyn Viray and Rhap Salazar.
Over 50 countries participated in the talent Olympics for this year.