The winners of the CIMB Rising Start Singing Competition, aimed at discovering talented individuals in the ASEAN region, have been announced, following a thrilling finale in Jakarta on July 31, 2024.
The top prize was awarded to Sharifah Nurilmuhayati from Malaysia, while Indonesian singers Jesica Theresia Koloay and Annisa Ayu Jamaluddin secured second and third places, respectively. Marvin Ilagan from the Philippines received the Favorite Award.
The contest, spearheaded by CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, featured eight talented finalists from across ASEAN countries.
A Bulacan native, Ilagan represented the Philippines alongside fellow Pinoy finalist Gwen Arada from Batangas City. The two were selected among the top 10 local auditionees and won the opportunity to fly to Jakarta for the regional competition. Along with the other finalists from Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia, they participated in various activities such as voice lessons and a recording session and music video shoot for “Make It Happen,” the English version of the song “Kejar Mimpimu” by renowned Indonesian singer and songwriter Dee Lestari.
The three winners will receive a total combined prize of IDR 169 million (over PHP 600,000) Additionally, they will also perform “Make It Happen” along with top Indonesian superstars at the ‘Kejar Mimpi for Indonesia Concert’ on August 24, 2024, at De Tjolomadoe, Surakarta, Indonesia.
The 2024 CIMB Rising Start Singing Competition aims to discover more emerging talents in the future across the ASEAN region, aligning with CIMB’s commitment to support and assist people to chase their dreams—which is what kejar mimpi means.
In line with its mission to empower Filipinos to live their life purpose, CIMB Bank PH, the most awarded digital-only commercial bank in the country, continues to find ways to empower Filipinos to live their purpose through initiatives like CIMB Rising Start. This singing competition is fully supported by CIMB Group, the 5th largest bank in the ASEAN with presence in ASEAN, Greater China, and the United Kingdom.