Destined To Strike Gold

CEBU, Philippines — Golden Cañedo’s mom was barely showing when an elderly female stranger told her to take good care of the child she was bearing, because it’ll bring her luck someday.

That’s how the “The Clash” grand champion got her nickname. Although born Romamae Cañedo Apaap, the young singer identifies as Golden. By some stroke of luck indeed, Golden hit the singing lottery when she won the recently-concluded GMA-7 reality-singing competition, “The Clash.”

Back in Cebu last weekend for a homecoming celebration, a fans day, and a performance at GMA Regional TV’s Partner’s Appreciation Lunch, the Minglanilla native said that “The Clash” indeed changed her life. When she used to only be focused on school and competing at barangay singing competitions, today, she goes back and forth between home and the Kapuso station, appearing weekly on the variety show “Studio 7.”

“We’re really busy right now because of our brand new show, ‘Studio 7’. We’re always taping every week so we could air it on Sundays. I’m also currently recording my album which will be out by next year,” the 16-year-old shared in a press conference at Kuya J’s along Escario Street.

“Tungod sa ‘The Clash,’ nagbag-o ang dagan sa akong kinabuhi,” she quipped.

For one thing, the Grade 10 student, who used to study at the University of the Visayas Minglanilla Campus, moved to Cavite with her mom and younger sibling since joining “The Clash.” There, she continues going to regular school as a fourth year high-schooler all the while competing in the weekly show.

When Golden began singing in kindergarten, she was told that she liked to hum along to music despite not knowing the lyrics. Her little hand would grip a hair brush or a broom, pretending it was a mic.

When she started joining contests only four years ago with zero formal training, Golden would go near and far to compete, standing on the stages of Medellin, Dalaguete, and Toledo among many others. She was also able to compete in “Tawag Ng Tanghalan.” But “The Clash” was Golden’s biggest break, and it only added to the pressure that she was the youngest among 61 other far more experienced Clashers.

“There was massive pressure. Every day was nerve-wracking. We only have two days to rehearse, and then immediately compete, and then you’d either make it past that round or not. My competitors were older than me, they have more experience. I really didn’t expect to win because grabe man gyud sila. Everyone sounded good but we all had different roots,” Golden said.

For the grand finals, Golden played it cool, convincing herself that this was all a game so that she wouldn’t be overcome with nerves. She will never forget the time she almost had to say goodbye when she was among the bottom two. That was when she decided to take things seriously. Among her struggles were relating to the songs, which may be a disadvantage because of her age.

Being one of six Cebuano Clashers, Golden admitted that she was sad to slowly see her fellow Bisayas go. They all rooted for her until the very end.

Taking home P1 million, a house and lot, and a brand new car, Golden wants to provide further for her family, especially now that they’re in Manila, with her parents currently unemployed and expecting a third child. Golden also wants to help a cousin born with anorectal malformation get better through the money she won.

“We’ve already used some of the prize money because of how expensive things are in Manila. Of course, I need to invest in myself especially that I have appearances, and we have daily needs. Right now, I’m working for my family through tapings and guestings here and there,” the Sarah Geronimo look-alike said.

Golden – who has always dreamt of becoming a flight stewardess so she can meet new people and see far-off places – said that if she really had to choose between her education and career, she will give her singing goals a shot first.

“If the Lord gives me a chance to start with my career, then I would grab that chance,” she said. “Not everyone gets the opportunity.”

After her experience in the weekly drama “Magpakailanman,” Golden would also like to dabble in acting. She’d love to star alongside her idol, Kyline Alcantara.

In her brief trip back home, Golden was able to reunite with family and friends. She missed otap and chicharon, as well as hanging out at the Naga Boardwalk.

“I saw my relatives. They were crying so I cried too. And then my classmates were there. My teachers, they left me messages,” Golden recounted.

A lot has changed for Golden’s social life too, revealing that a number of her peers seem to be courting her and sending online messages. But the teenager said she’d be dead to her mom if she ever thinks about getting into a relationship, even laughing at the idea of a possible love team.

Always smiling and cheerful, Golden describes a family that’s simple and contented: “Happy raman mi pirmi. Kada adlaw, ako ra, akong manghod, akong mama, ug akong papa. Bisag unsa ra ang trip.”

While her contest pieces were always “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin” and “All By Myself,” her life’s theme song nowadays are “Ngayon” and “Ngayon Ang Tagumpay,” both of which she sang at the Final Clash.

She explained that George Canseco’s “Ngayon” allowed her to relate it to where she stands now, and how she should enjoy her youth. “Kung unsa ko karon, mao sad ang kanta,” she said.

“Sana, magdugay ko diri. And I hope that more people will get to know me. I hope that more beautiful things come into my life.”