Cha-Cha Cañete, Team Philippines Big Winner at 17th WCOPA 2013 in Hollywood

Child star Cha-Cha Cañete from the hit kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit” took home two medals at the recently concluded 17th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) that took place in Hollywood, California. The competition ran from July 12 to July 21.

Earning much praise and recognition, Cha-Cha’s talent wowed the crowd and judges as she performed in five different categories during the prestigious competition. Just at the young age of eight, she was awarded silver medals for her performances of “The Climb” and “Climb Every Mountain” in the Pop and Gospel categories, respectively.

Aside from Cha-Cha’s success at WCOPA, Team Philippines proved to be a fierce competitor, besting representatives from over fifty countries.

Team Philippines’ Beverly Caimen won the highest recognition of “Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World”, while Aldeza Ianna de la Torre was also proclaimed “Junior Grand Champion of the World”—earning the Philippines a grand slam, winning the highest titles in both divisions. Beverly and Ianna also won as “Grand Champion Vocalists of the World” in their divisions.

Success for the country doesn’t stop there, as the title of “Grand Champion Vocal Group of the World” went to the Gollayan Sisters, and Reynaldo Gorospe, Jr. won as “Grand Champion Male Model of the World”—taking home the gold as the Philippines’ first ever representative to compete in the Modeling Category.

Even more—singing sensation Jed Madela, who was the first Filipino to win a grand slam as “Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World” and “Senior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World” in 2005 was inducted this year into WCOPA’s legendary Performing Arts Hall of Fame. Pinoy Dream Academy scholars Chivas Malunda and Laarni Lozada are included in those who brought home medals.

With all the country’s wins from its top talents, Team Philippines’ National Director, Gerry Mercado, took home a much-deserved award as “3rd Best National Director”.

A total of 29 members of Team Philippines took home awards in various categories, with 43 Gold, 38 Silver, and 26 Bronze awards. The team also received four Industry Awards.

The Philippine Team for WCOPA is led by WCOPA International Director Annie Mercado, WCOPA-Philippines National Director Gerry Mercado and the official talent scouts Charie Vega and Lito Napolitano from the Philippines, Royce Pellerin from Japan, and Dr. Molina from Saudi Arabia.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Goin' Bulilit's Cha-Cha Cañete to Represent PH at WCOPA in Hollywood

Hollywood’s “Olympics” in the world of Performing Arts is set to run this July 12 until July 21, and one of the Philippines’ very own young talents, Cha-Cha Canete, has been selected to compete in the Junior Division of the 17th World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Cha-Cha, only eight years old, is a mainstay of ABS-CBN’s award-winning comedy program “Goin’ Bulilit” and of the Anak TV awarded “Biyaheng Bulilit” on Studio 23. Aside from her rising presence in the entertainment industry, Cha-Cha is also a consistent honor student from Diliman Preparatory School. She is currently in the 3rd grade.

In the upcoming WCOPA, Cha-Cha will be representing Team Philippines as a solo vocalist in not just one but in five different categories—namely the Broadway, Pop, Gospel/Inspirational, Open and Original categories. She will be the youngest contestant to represent the country in the competition.

When asked about her upcoming participation, she said, “I’m excited yet nervous, since this is the first competition that I’ll be joining…and in Hollywood at that.” The other things that this trip to the U.S.A. may hold are also stirring up much anticipation for the young star. “I’m also looking forward to see Disneyland and Universal Studios,” said Cha-Cha.

The WCOPA is the only premier international talent competition of its kind held annually in the entertainment capital of the world, Hollywood, California. Participants from over 50 countries will be joining this year’s staging of the competition.

Cha-cha’s stint in this year’s WCOPA is made possible by Camella Homes and Moose Girl.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Jed Madela on WCOPA Hall of Fame, Announces US Recording Deal

Kapamilya singer Jed Madela will soon be inducted to the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) Hall of Fame, the first Filipino receive such honor.

According to WCOPA, Jed is also the 2013 Achievement Award Honoree and will be presented with his Achievement Award and inducted into the "Performing Arts Hall of Fame" during the live international webcast of the  17th annual WCOPA finals on July 19.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Jed said that he was surprised when he first learned the news. His happiness elevated when he learned that he will be the very first Filipino, and the first WCOPA contestant to receive the prestigious WCOPA Achievement Award and be inducted to its Hall of Fame. Jed Madela won as WCOPA Grand Champion Performer of the World in 2005, besting 3,000 international contestants.

"Nagulat nga ako when I got the news from World Championships a few weeks ago na ihahanay na nila ako sa Hall of Fame nila as one of the artsits nila na ina-award nila. Nalaman ko na I'm the first Filipino and first na contestant ng World Championships na ii-induct nila sa Hall of Fame, at nung nalaman ko 'yung line up ng na-induct na nila doon, mas lalo akong sumaya bigla," he said.

According to Jed, previous WCOPA Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of the organization's Achievement Award include renowned actress-singer Liza Minnelli, Daniel Marmarre (President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil), and American singer Dionne Warwick.

Jed will be flying to Hollywood this July to perform at the WCOPA finals and personally receive his award. Aside from the accolade, Jed also announced that he closed a recording deal in the United States.

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.