For WCOPA champion Y-Fi, it’s ‘never say die’

If at first you don’t succeed, try again.

Y-Fi kept in mind that oft-quoted reminder. The five-member group failed on  its first try at the WCOPA (World Championship Of Performing Arts) held annually in Los Angeles and won on its second try this year.

Members (ranging in ages between 20 and 24) Christian Bahaya, Darwin Divino, John Rey Estudillo, Joemark Tumala and Archie Udaundo won Senior Grand Champion of the Vocal Group of the World Category and came home with medals — a gold in the Overall Division for the rock song You Give Love A Bad Name (popularized by Jon Bon Jovi and other singers), another gold for Overall Original Works Division for Power of Music composed by Jeremy Sarmiento, and a silver in the Open competition for the song Set Fire (by Adele and Fraser T Smith).

Y-Fi (“Y” stands for Youth and “Fi” for Filipino) bested contestants from six countries. All in all, 62 competed in several categories (acting, dancing, modeling, singing, etc.), with Jamaica emerging as Overall Grand Champion.

“There are no cash prizes for Y-Fi,” said Annie Mercado, creative director for WCOPA Philippines (she’s the aunt of Jed Madela who won WCOPA grand champion a few years back), with Gerry Mercado the national director for WCOPA Philippines. “WCOPA has set aside $380,000 worth of scholarships in performing arts. Division winners, though, are not entitled to those scholarships.”

All from Davao, the Y-Fi members were chosen from among students at a music school. Their voices beautifully blended and they banded together and became friends. They have performed in several events in Davao, including the annual Kadayawan Festival.

Because of their WCOPA win, Y-Fi has been getting offers for performances (“On a regular basis,” said Annie) from various establishments in the US.

Robin withdraws from 2015 MMFF entry Nilalang

Confirmed: Robin Padilla has withdrawn from the film, Nilalang, an official entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

According to a report quoting Robin’s management Vidanes Celebrity Marketing, Robin quit “with deep regrets” in favor of taking care of his wife Mariel Rodriguez who suffered a miscarriage early this year and is again pregnant with triplets who, the couple was quoted, would be named Juan, Maria and Gabriella.

Nilalang would have paired Robin with former “adult-video” Japanese actress Maria Ozawa who was here twice for a pictorial for FHM magazine and to attend the magazine’s “100 Sexiest Women Victory Party” event. 

Furthermore, they also emphasized that Haunter Tower Productions, the producers of Nilalang, are not at fault in any way for this unexpected development and on behalf of Robin,  Vidanes Celebrity Marketing is asking them and the general public for their understanding and consideration.

Here’s the official statement released by Vidanes Celebrity Marketing in full:

This message is to announce to the dear public that Mr. Robin Padilla and Vidanes Celebrity Marketing will no longer be part of the movie Nilalang which was scheduled to compete in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival in December 2015.

It is with great regret that we have to inform all that due to extenuating personal circumstances. Mr. Padilla has had to make the decision to withdraw from the film.

I would like to let you know that this decision making process has been very hard as Mr. Padilla’s reputation shows that he has the highest regards for those he commits to work with. But his withdrawal is due to the fact of needing to attend to his wife Mariel, as she is experiencing a delicate pregnancy. Mariel is currently pregnant with triplets, and also suffered a miscarriage in March of this year.

Due to this, Mr. Padilla feels that he needs to focus and prioritize the wellbeing of his family and has decided to forego his role in the movie Nilalang.

The decision to withdraw from the film has been very difficult for Mr. Padilla and VCM team. This cancellation has been a collective resolution of Vidanes Celebrity Marketing and Mr. Padilla and Haunted Tower Productions are not at fault in any way. We acknowledge that we hold no claims or rights to this movie whether it is produced or not.

On behalf of Mr. Padilla and Vidanes Celebrity Marketing, we would like to ask  the producers and the public for their understanding and kind consideration.

Meanwhile, MFT Group through a letter sent to Haunted Tower Pictures confirmed that, “After much deliberation MFT Group will no longer finance the production of Nilalang.”

 Speaking on behalf of the MFT Group, lead PR Joyce A. Ramirez explained “The MFT Group does not believe that there is a suitable replacement for Mr. Padilla and as a result, the prospective timeline for the production of Nilalang will be compromised.

“Given the proposed working budget for the film, the non-participation of Mr. Padilla means that MFT (being the main funding partner of Haunted Tower Productions) no longer believes that the project has a bankable actor as its lead and the absence of immediate alternative means that the production will be delayed to an extent that Nilalang will not be released in time for the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival.”

The question is: Which film will the MMFF committee choose as replacement for Nilalang?

(E-mail reactions at [email protected].)