Singing champions look back on the people and moments that shaped them
The singers headlining Champions of the Heart don’t talk about being a “champion” like it’s a trophy you keep on a shelf. For them, it’s the parts people don’t always see.
That’s the thread that connects Martin Nievera, Sofronio Vasquez, Jed Madela, Jona, and Klarisse de Guzman as they come together for the upcoming Valentine’s concert on Feb. 14 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport World Resorts.
On paper, the lineup looks like a gathering of vocal heavyweights. But the show’s title isn’t meant to spotlight medals, wins, or bragging rights.
“We will not enumerate our accolades. It’s not about that,” Martin said. “The star of the show on Feb. 14 is always love, relationships.”
For Jona, her definition of being a champion goes back to Pinoy Pop Superstar. In particular, the support she received made the journey possible.
“My favorite moment being a champion isn’t focused on myself, but on who was there for me when I joined Pinoy Pop Superstar,” she said.
She credited her third-year high school adviser at Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School, who let her stay at their home so she could manage the early call times that GMA’s reality singing competition demanded.
“She removed that burden from me,” Jona said. “If not for her generosity… I wouldn’t have succeeded in my Pinoy Pop journey.”
Klarisse said her favorite “champion” moment can’t be summed up in one instance, but is everything that happened along the way.
“My favorite moment is the whole process,” she said, pointing to the experiences and the people she met. She didn’t dodge the rougher parts, either, adding, “The rejections I went through before became my motivation to do better and get even stronger.”
For Jed, the word “champion” hits differently when it comes from someone else. “When young artists go up to you and tell you… ‘I wanted to become a singer because of you,’” he said.
“I think that’s one of those experiences that I will never forget. It will always stay with you, that you are really considered an artist.”
Sofronio said people often treat “champion” as a label reserved for winners. However, it’s something he doesn’t buy.
“People expect you to be a champion if you win,” he said. “But even if you always try and don’t make it, that’s one way of saying you’re a champion, because you’re a champion of yourself. You’re not giving up.”
Martin traced his own “champion” moment back to the start, long before the big concerts. He recalled winning the California State Talent Competition in 1981 and how the moment pushed him to take his dream seriously.
“What it did was make me decide that I would pursue my dream to become a singer,” he said.
Tickets for Champions of the Heart are available at TicketWorld outlets, TicketWorld online, and the Newport World Resorts box office.
