Filipino talent shines anew in Asia’s Got Talent Season 3

MANILA, Philippines — After giving the previous seasons of Asia’s Got Talent (AGT) winning acts, the Philippines continues to field strong contenders in Season 3 of the regional version of the Got Talent franchise.

Getting the nods of celebrity judges David Foster, Jay Park and Anggun to move to the next stage of the contest were a father-daughter tandem, singing siblings and a dance crew who practiced every day in the last four years for their AGT dream, as seen in Thursday’s premiere episode.

One of the Pinoy acts to receive three “yes” votes was HK Sisters, who got a standing ovation after singing Phantom of the Opera’s Think of Me. When asked what it would mean to them if they won the $100,000 prize, the Castillo sisters — Harrah Kaym 16, and Hannah Korin, 17 ­— said “our father is a seafarer so we only see him for about two months and he works on the ship for six to nine months. If we win this, we get to spend more time with him.” Prior to AGT, the sisters won awards at the World Championships of Performing Arts as individuals and as duo.

Another Pinoy talent who stood out was Zianne Angierein Garcia a.k.a. Zeexhie. When she was a toddler, she became an Internet sensation for her cheer stunts with her choreographer father Renier. She also nearly won Eat Bulaga’s Hype Kang Bata Ka contest last year. The child wonder charmed the AGT judges who all gave her cheer dance performance with her father a resounding “Yes!”

HK Sisters

Junior Good Vibes, a 15-member dance crew from Sampaloc, also received three yes votes for their audition. Foster told them, “There’s 15 unique stories, and all those stories came to life and I felt everything that you guys are feeling and I’m very proud of you.”

Though failing to make it to the next round, Pinoy stand-up comic/singer ZooDiva left audiences in stitches by incorporating animal sounds to his song.

In the same episode, crazier acts included a Japanese with a farting talent who amused the judges so much they made him stay on. Jay Park also made AGT history by pressing the Golden Buzzer for TK Jiang, a digital magician from Singapore. The Golden Buzzer sends a contestant all the way to the semi-finals.

The STAR previewed the episode ahead of its premiere, which was followed by a presscon with DMX Comvaleñoz, the dance group from Compostela Valley who was a runner-up in the past AGT season.

Asked how the show has changed their lives, a member happily shared, “Actually, artista na kami sa aming lugar.” The gigs came one after another, bringing the group to Indonesia and Malaysia. Such good news earned applause during the presscon for the members, who once struggled with getting passports because they either didn’t finish school or never had any valid IDs in their life until they joined AGT.

The group has pieces of advice for fellow dance group Junior Good Vibes, other Filipino talents in the current edition and those who want to join AGT in the future.

Zianne Angierein Garcia (a.k.a. Zeexhie)

For one, contestants have to jazz up routines. “Actually, nakikita ko (I always see Junior Good Vibes) practicing near National University, sa may kalsada. Mahirap kasi ilang taon silang nag-training para makuha ang pangarap nilang makapag-compete sa Asia’s Got Talent. My advice is don’t maintain routines but level up always. Don’t focus on one genre.”

Second is to use their God-given talent to the best of their ability. “Never stop dreaming. To all Pinoy performers, todo lang. Bigay lang lahat (give it your all) even in the auditions. Huwag kayong panghinaan ng loob (don’t lose hope). Do your best in dancing, singing or beat-box or kung anong tanging alam ninyo (whatever unique talent you have). Don’t stop because it’s God’s gift to you.”

Third, to enjoy the whole AGT experience, win or lose. “Kung may hahadlang na magulang, trabaho o pera (if there are obstacles, be it your parents, work or money, don’t worry) darating din ang panahon para sa ‘yo. Just sit down and wait, rehearse, practice, enjoy… Don’t be afraid to lose.”

In the debut season of Asia’s Got Talent in 2015, the Pinoy shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra emerged as the grand winner. Among other Filipinos who shone in the last two editions of the talent show were classical singer Gerphil Flores, beat boxer Neil Llanes, as well as dance crews Junior New System and Urban Crew.

New episodes air Thursdays at 8:30 p.m. on AXN.