With their aspirations for stardom at stake, McJim Dreams Get Real Talent Search’s Top Six are expected to give the search their best shot and their best performance ever during the epic grand finals nights last Monday, November. 9, at the Music Museum in San Juan City.
Still, only one hopeful will emerge as the champion during the concert-like finals night of the competition’s second season. From ten strong contenders, only six standout acts moved to the final round of the competition. Three of the six finalists were chosen by producers based on their overall performance and star quality, while the other three were people’s choices.
The producer’s picks include Laguna native Apple Deleva, and both Rizal natives Zsarina Concepcion and Carmela Ravanilla, while the people’s choices were Erickson Malabanan from Batangas, Micah Llona from Taguig, and Trix Casauay from Caloocan.
What makes this season even more exciting is that five of the six finalists are outstanding female vocalists who inspire each other to shine. But Malabanan, the lone male contestant, vows that he will go into the competition with his strongest performance ever.
Through the Dreams Get Real Talent Search, gentlemen’s brand McJim Classic Leather affirmed its image as an advocate for fresh new Filipino talents and Original Pilipino Music (OPM).
After launching the careers of some of the most in-demand acts today, like vocal trio JBK, pop-rock band Fifth Dynamics, and Neo Domingo, McJim continues to enliven the local music by giving aspiring artists the opportunity to kick-start their own musical journeys.
“The six last acts will give us an extraordinary show! Each one of them has something distinct to offer, which will result in an epic finale,” says Chris Cahilig, Dreams Get Real Project Head. “It wouldn’t surprise me if all of them attained success after this competition because their talents are mind blowing.”
With each having different reasons for joining the competition, the finalists would rather let their performances on stage decide who the best really is come finals night. However, the contestants, who had found a new family during the talent search, say that no matter what happens, they will always be grateful to McJim for the wonderful opportunities given them.
Female vocalists Ravanilla and Llona are still overwhelmed by their experiences and promise to impress the audience with a fine showing during the finale. “I’m very thrilled by the prospect of performing at the Music Museum. In fact, I was stunned when I learned that everything from our wardrobe to our song choices will be a huge undertaking,” says an awed Ravanilla who is a Tourism student from Miriam College.
Meanwhile, making it her goal to top all her previous performances in the finale, Casuay dedicates her achievements to her family. “The finals night will be a grand event and I expect no less than the best from every one of us. Thus, I plan to go beyond my best for the sake of my family and my supporters and most importantly for God’s glory,” says the 20-year-old National University Architecture student.
Considered as the biggest threat in the competition, Deleva is humbled by the recognition but still feels nervous about performing on a big stage. The19-year-old Communications student of University of Perpetual Help in Las Piñas declares with confidence: “They can look forward to getting more from me as a performer.”
For the 18-year-old Concepcion, who is a Tourism student from La Salle Antipolo, being thrown into the company of talented people who share a passion for singing and learning from them in the process is such a big deal already. She asserts, however, that “everyone will surely give their best on finals night. This simply inspires me to show everyone what I’ve got when I go out there on live stage.”
On the other hand, the lone male contender says that he considers finding a family in the competition as a big win in itself. But he intends to unleash his talents on finale night. “I feel blessed that I made it to the Top Six. Win or lose, it will be all worth it because just being in this competition is a major accomplishment in my life,” says Malabanan.
The grand champion of “Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star” will receive a full album and music video grant; P100,000 in cash prize from McJim Classic Leather; artist marketing support; and a talent management contract.