For her ‘Warrior’ rendition, Talisaynon beats consistent Top 3 finalist

CEBU, Philippines —  It’s a back-to-back win for the City of Talisay as its very own Jehramae Trangia was hailed Grand Champion of the platinum edition of Sinulog Idol finals held Thursday night at the Fuente Osmeña Circle.

She became the successor of Jessa Mae Abaquita who is currently in Japan working as a singer.

Trangia, 16, heartily sang the inspirational piece “Warrior” by Demi Lovato that made her win over the crowd and the judges with a unanimous decision.

Mainstay judge Apple Abarquez said that Trangia quickly recovers from difficult conditions during the entire competition, and that no matter what placement she gets every elimination night, she keeps pushing herself to be better.

“She had her moments when she would feel down because she kept trying but we told her there was no emotion there, but she is innately resilient and kind and she sings from her heart and that’s what made her win tonight,” said Abarquez.

“When her judge’s choice song was picked, I wanted her to realize that no matter how hard she tries to control her destiny, it is not for hers to know. Once she said the words ‘Jesus Take the Wheel,’ I knew that she felt deep in her bones that all she had to do was let go and let God take care of the rest. In the end, it wasn’t her self-confidence and powerful vocals that made her win. It was the fact that she allowed a higher being to use her as an instrument for people to be able to remember that the Lord and the Sto. Niño always watches over us.”

Trangia, who started singing at the age of 14, said, “Motuo ko na bisag unsa pa ka simple ang song kay basta from the heart kay nindot gyud pagka-deliver sa kanta.”

She first tried her luck with Sinulog Idol in 2018, but did not make the cut. She then joined national competitions such as It’s Showtime’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” and Idol Philippines. Her stint with the two singing tilts made her grow as a performer and taught her to respect the time of every production she joins.

“I know nga attitude is everything and I think nga the judges will not be judging sa kung unsa ka kamaayo as a performer but kung unsa ka ka maayo as a person nga dili na lisod i-manage,” said Trangia. She received P60,000 plus sponsor prizes as Sinulog Idol champion.

Last October, Trangia won in the first Tingog Nga Talisaynon, a parallel singing competition of Sinulog Idol spearheaded by the Talisay City government.

She said it was not easy juggling her studies and singing competitions.

Before the Jan. 16 Sinulog Idol finals, she received three awards from Asian College of Technology where she is consistently part of the Top Achievers in her class.

“Everyday ko nag-vocalize before ko moadto sa school and pag-uli nako gikan sa school kay mag-practice ko og mga kanta. I always talk to God to guide me kay I know He will guide me all throughout kay dili ko ganahan nga naa koy mabiyaan sa akong duties as a student and as a performer.”

The most pressured finalist in the batch was bank teller Chreystle Gealogo, who finished first runner-up after singing “A Million Dreams” from the movie “The Greatest Showman.”

Gealogo said that her hectic schedule made her feel nervous during the nightly elimination.

“Balance lang gyud,” she said. In the morning, she reports to the bank, then goes to church before heading to Fuente Osmeña.

Gealogo made Sinulog Idol history for being the first contender who placed in the Top 3 throughout the competition.

“Maka-happy kay nakita gyud sa mga judges how I put effort to my performance,” she said.

She admitted her family is facing financial problems and the landlady of her boarding house advised her to look for another place after missing her rent payments for months now. Sinulog Idol was her only leap of faith to solve her money woes. With her P40,000 prize, she plans to settle her dues.

Second runner-up Danielle Therese “Thea” Monterde, an 18-year-old from Barangay Inayawan, Cebu City, was also named Best Performer for her performance during Sinulog Idol’s launching show held at SM City Cebu.

“Ni-audition ko sa Sinulog Idol Season 11 not knowing what tomorrow holds for me. The encouragement of the people special to me made me decide to join. Everyone was very supportive and positive despite the flaws I have shown on and off stage. Mao bisag usahay ma-down ko kay I know my colleagues are very competitive enough to win, laban lang gihapon. Laban para sa tanan tao nga nisuporta nako mao very grateful kaayo ko nila,” said Monterde, who sang KZ Tandingan’s version of “Anak” for the final round.

Twenty-two-year-old freelance singer Marichar Labado from Barangay Bulacao, teacher from Danao City Johnrann Matthew “Ranni” Cane (People’s Choice awardee) and Jeduthun “Jedu” Ligan of Barangay Tisa placed fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.

Abarquez said that the 2020 finalists had so much potential.

“This year has been filled with such raw talent jud. Some of them kay anad og contests and gigs but most of them like to sing just for themselves, for small school activities or nothing really major,” she shared.

“As we always tell them, the competition will serve as their training ground for something greater. We saw potential in every single person that was part of the top 12 and then when the trainings and rehearsals started, we also saw more. They all had a lot to offer and despite their young age, Jehramae shone the brightest this year.”

Aside from cash, this year’s winners were also given Platinum Karaoke units, P1,000 from Sinulog Idol official photographer Chang Euldan, and P50,000 health insurance from AXA Philippines.

For 11 years now, Sinulog Idol has been produced by Soundtraxx Production Studio in partnership with the Cebu City Government and the Sinulog Foundation Inc.