The Karaoke World Championships started in Finland back in 2003. At that time, there were 7 participating countries. Fast forward to 2008, and there are almost 30 countries participating in this prestigious event. IN fact, the Karaoke World Championships is the only one of its kind in the world which brings together the top non-professional Karaoke singers of each country to compete in an international singing contest. Each country sends one male and one female representative for the Karaoke World Championships.
Last 2007, the Karaoke World Championships grand finals was held in Bangkok, Thailand, and was won by Julie Walter-Sgro of Australia (female winner) and Lu Hee Wah of Malaysia (male winner).
Anyway, we all know that Filipinos have a fondness for singing and singing contests, and we know that we have some of the best performers in the world who can bring international acclaim when it comes to singing. Of course, we've had the likes of Lea Salonga (Broadway performer), Carla Guevarra (Broadway performer), Jasmine Trias (American Idol finalist) Arnel Pineda (vocalist of Journey) and so much more. So, I'm pretty certain that the Philippine representatives to the 2008 Karaoke World Championships might also soon become just as popular and might be the next big singing sensation.
Well, 2008 marks also the first year that the Philippines will be participating in the Karaoke World Championships, with the international grand finals to be held at Lahti, Finland this coming October 24 to 26, 2008. But before we get to Finland, we have first yet to determine who will be the two singers (one male and one female) that will represent the Philippines in the Karaoke World Championships.
First off, interested singers must register and submit their applications. I'm not sure where you can go online, but inquiries can be made at 744-3576. Or maybe you can email the Karaoke World Championships Philippines Country Head Judith Villongco at judithyv@gmail.com. I believe there's a Php300 joining fee, which is a small amount just to weed out the serious participants from the just-want-to-try types. After all, this is not like Pinoy Idol or American Idol where anyone can audition for free, and maybe some just want to get some publicity.
Anyway - after that, the elimination rounds for the Karaoke World Championships Philippines will be held at SM Southmall on September 20, Saturday. During the eliminations, each contestant will belt out 2 songs of their choice. A panel of judges will give out scores, and the top 10 of the elimination round (5 female and 5 male) will be featured in the Karaoke World Championships Philippines grand finals which will be held at SM Mall of Asia on Thursday, September 25. During the grand finals, each finalist will sing three songs and the top two singers (one male and one female) will be crowned as KWC Philippines champions, and will be the official representative of the Philippines to the Karaoke World Championships in Finland.
Anyway, while the 2008 qualifications for the KWC Philippines may seem a bit abrupt with only one elimination round and one grand finals, the organizers and franchise-owners of KWC Philippines are planning bigger things for 2009 and the upcoming years. Eventually, you can expect KWC Philippines to really cover major cities of the Philippines in order to really search for the best representative to win a gold medal in the KWC Grand Finals in Finland. By 2009, you can expect to have KWC Philippines events in places like Cebu, Baguio, Davao, Cagayan, Bacolod, Iloilo, Ilocos, Angeles and Boracay.
But for now - let's all look forward to this September 2008 for the KWC Philippines events at SM Southmall and SM Mall of Asia, and let's support the singers who will represent our beloved Philippines in Finland. I wouldn't be surprised that the first time the Philippines joins, we'll win the gold instantly. Pinoy pa! Ang galing galing kumanta!
Well, go Philippines! Bring home the gold from Finland at the Karaoke World Championships.
