Casino’s The Champions tour

MANILA, Philippines - Casino Filipino (CF) is bringing another surprise treat to its guests and patrons as its homegrown artists known as The Champions go on a nationwide concert tour with 2012 X Factor Philippines grand winner KZ Tandingan this month.

The Champions, all winners of the past three seasons of the OPM@PAGCOR nationwide singing search, are expected to showcase their musical talent which earned for them the distinction of being named as Total OPM Performers. The group is composed of Joyce Tañaña, Froilan Canlas and Karl Aris Tanhueco.

Bong Quintana, PAGCOR’s AVP for Entertainment, said “KZ and our homegrown artists are the best proofs that our country is not wanting in promising talents. Marami sa ating mga magaling na mang-aawit ang nadiskubre dahil sa mga singing contest. We are very happy that KZ agreed to have this nationwide concert tour with our artists. This is a reunion of champions that should never be missed.”

KZ was conferred with the Best New Artist Award during the 2012 Aliw Awards. Fresh from the successful staging of road shows in different parts of the country, she is busy promoting her self-titled debut album.

Meanwhile, Karl Aris shared his excitement on the upcoming concert tour. “The project is more than what I have ever wished for. I feel blessed and excited because it has been my dream to be a part of a nationwide concert tour with fellow musical artists. I really look forward to this event.”

Joyce also shared how PAGCOR transformed her into a more confident performer. “PAGCOR has been generous in providing us great opportunities. We were given the chance to work with world-class Filipino performers like Pilita Corrales, Robert Seña, Joey Albert, Ariel Rivera, Sitti Navarro, Princess Velasco and many more. Performing with them has helped us a lot. I thank PAGCOR for giving Filipino artists a chance to pursue their passion for music while earning a decent living.”

Froilan said they will sing their winning pieces during the OPM@PAGCOR grand finals, other contest pieces, songs which speak of being a champion and OPM’s Metro Pop songs. “This is another opportunity that we will always cherish and remember for the rest of our lives,” Froilan added.

According to Quintana, PAGCOR is working on a more aggressive career plan for the PAGCOR artists. “We want them to penetrate mainstream entertainment, broaden their exposure to outside venues, on television as well as other media. We have started making MTVs for them to make their presence felt in the social network which has a wide audience base.”

The Casino Filipino nationwide concert tour kicked off on Aug. 7 at the Airport Casino Filipino in Parañaque City. This will be followed by a series of performances on Aug. 17 (CF Cebu); Aug. 21 (CF Davao); Aug. 24 (CF Olongapo); Aug. 28 (CF Bacolod); and Aug. 31 (CF Tagaytay).

(For more information on the Casino Filipino Concert Tour featuring The Champions and KZ Tandingan, call 852-7760 or log on to www.twitter.com/casinofilipino and www.facebook.com/casinofilipino.)