RP wins top honors In Hollywood Olympics

Aria Clementeemerged as Over-all Grand Champion of the World (Junior Division), whileReymond Sajor clinched the Grand Champion Senior Vocalist of the World in the recently concluded 11th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, USA.

Eleven-year-old Aria, ABS-CBN’s “Little Big Star” finalist, hurdled three rounds of competitions in five vocal categories, which included Broadway, Pop, Latin, Rock and Gospel, to get into the grand finals. As Over-all Grand Champion, she bested around 5,000 entries, which included dance, acting and modeling acts, coming from 50 other countries from Armenia to the USA.

Aria sang an abridged version of “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from the musical “Funny Girl” that also won her the Grand Champion Junior Vocalist of the World award in the contest. She competed against four junior vocalists representing South Africa, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago and Russia.

On the other hand, Reymond, ABC 5’s “Philippine Idol” Season 1 finalist, won for his rendition of the one-minute-long “Anthem” from the musical “Chess.”He competed with fellow Pinoy singer and Cebuana bet Raki Vega, and three other vocalists from Haiti and South Africa.

Raki, in a text message to The FREEMAN Entertainment, is extremely grateful for the experience, after all, she had the chance to be a 2007 Champion of the World grand finalist among 5,000 acts and was among the top five senior vocal soloists in the world. Raki also received two gold plaques as 2007 senior female vocal champion of the world in the Broadway and Contemporary categories; plus three Gold medals, two Silver medals and an Industry medal award.

The panel of judges in this year’s WCOPA is composed of prominent entities (casting directors, talent agents, magazine editors, music composers and arrangers from Broadway, record producers, and TV and film producers) from Hollywood and Broadway mainstream industries namely LA models agency, Nickelodeon, Disney Theme Parks, Paramount Pictures, and various Broadway theatre companies.

Judging is based on entertainment value, and marketability of talent in the mainstream entertainment industry in the US.

WCOPA is often cited as the “Hollywood Olympics” for performers and entertainers.After 11 years of incredible growth, it has become the only premier international talent and modeling competition of its kind annually held in Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world. Similar to the Olympics, only invited and qualified competitors (called Worldstars) representing countries compete each year in a fierce competition for Grand Champion of the World titles.

Filipino recording and concert artist Jed Madela was named Over-all Grand Champion of the World (Senior Division) in 2005.

All Kids Talent Management Group, based in Los Angeles, has had talks with Aria and Carlo Orosa, WCOPA National Director for the Philippines, regarding representation of the young singer in Hollywood.

On the other hand, Reymond and Raki have had a one-on-one meeting with Shelley Sondheim, nephew of famed Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, of what Hollywood and Broadway have to offer to them.

“Team Philippines to this year’s WCOPA has once again proved to the world that our singing talents are exceptional and world-class.Everybody is a winner.Doors have opened for these talents to explore and expand to mainstream Hollywood and Broadway,” said Orosa.

Aria and Reymond have been trained in Trumpets Playshop, and endorsing Trumpets Musicademy in the Philippines. Aria will soon star in the Manila debut of Off Broadway hit musical “Children’s Letters to God.” Reymond is currently working on his debut album.

Both new World Champions are managed by STAGES, same management group handling Filipino mainstream artists Christian Bautista, and Sam Concepcion.

WCOPA grand finals night, held at Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, was taped for television for distribution worldwide.