Pia Wurtzbach sang “On My Own” from Les Miserables in last year’s Bb. Pilipinas Talent competition. Niza Sabrina Sophia Limjap, one of 18 (out of the 40) Bb. Pilipinas 2016 official candidates who joined the much anticipated Talent competition also sang the same song.
The talent competition was held at the Gateway Mall activity area in Cubao, Quezon City on March 5 kicking off this year’s national search, the winner of which will be crowned by the reigning Miss Universe.
A sizeable afternoon mall crowd stopped to watch the lovely and talented contestants as they showed what they got before a set of judges that included shoe designer Jose Joaquin Bragais, JAG Jeans operations head James Parry, Dairy Queen marketing manager Lorent Adrias, Picture City owner Paul Santos and PLDT broadband head Gary Dujali.
Aside from Limjap, Maria Gigante sang “To Make You Feel My Love,” Paula Rich Bartolome, “Reflection,” Jeslyn Santos, “Let It Go,” Edjelyn Gamboa, “Try It On My Own,” Anjellica Lopez, “Rumour Has It,” and Kristine Angeli Estoque who played the guitar.
Warmly applauded were the girls who performed dance numbers like last year’s Miss Talent winner, Win Win Marquez. They were Apriel Smith (Beyonce), Janella Olafson (contemporary), Vina Openiano (belly dance), Angela Gene Valdez and Karen Ibasco (both interpretative dance), Alexandra Faith Garcia (“Piliin mo ang Pilipinas” interpretative folk dance), Priscilla Kimberley Dela Cruz (folk dance), Jennyline Carla Malpaya (Latin American dance), Maria Lina Prongoso (baton twirling), Sarah Christine Bona and Angelique De Leon (both hip hop dance).
The Talent Competition followed that of the Zumba session and the Art Gallery tour at Gateway, the first public appearance of the official candidates. The winner of Miss Talent special award will be known during the grand coronation on April 17 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. –Eton B. Concepcion
