Correspondent
Hotel Nikko Saipan’s Froilan de Leon bagged the Martin Nievera Sing-Alike Contest and took home the $1,000 cash prize Saturday night.
De Leon’s luck was all over the place as the Concert King himself, Martin Nievera, presented him his prize.
Nievera, together with Philippine composer Louie Ocampo and Wanda Tsukiyama, was one of the judges during the finals night held at the Saipan Grand Hotel Club V.
Nievera said he was really impressed with the final three contestants as all dressed, acted and sang like him. In a separate interview with Nievera yesterday, he said he was really impressed with de Leon. He said de Leon really committed to the contest in terms of copying his singing styles.
“During the rehearsals before the concert, I told him that he didn’t have to practice anymore,” he said.
Pablo Quimen won second place while Ronnie de Belen took the third place. The top ten finalists also serenaded Nievera with the Tan Holdings 35th Anniversary Theme Song We Believe.
Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan did not let the evening pass without asking Nievera to render a song number for the audience. Over 250 people packed the contest venue that time.
Nievera called on Ocampo to play for him. Nievera sang his most popular ballad, Be My Lady. He also sang I’ll Be There for You.
Eventologist Oscar Yema said at least 50,000 text votes were cast during the entire competition. Quimen reigned supreme in this category.
Yema thanked PTI and SaipanCell for their support during the competition. Both companies were major sponsors for the contest among the numerous sponsors for the 35th Anniversary Concert Milestones.
Brad Ruszala hosted the finals night while Hapi Gabriel and this reporter served as emcees during the preliminaries and the semi-finals nights.
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