Who will be the new TNT grand champ?

MANILA, Philippines — The battle of voices and dreams in the third season of It’s Showtime’s Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) will be concluded today with a new champion from among the 12 grand finalists. Elaine Duran, Kim Nemenzo, John Michael dela Cerna and John Mark Saga have already advanced to the final rounds through online and text votes, while Charizze Arnigo, Ranillo Enriquez, Jermaine Apil and Violeta Bayawa failed to secure a spot.

To be held live at Caloocan City Sports Complex, TNT’s huling tapatan sees the Top 6 grand finalists deliver their journey songs in the first round. From the six of them, only three will be named Final 3 who will perform a medley of songs by an artist in their bid to become the grand champion. A brand-new house and lot, a livelihood package, a family vacation package, a management contract with ABS-CBN, a recording deal with TNT Records and P2M await the newest TNT grand winner.

The remaining contenders who also hope to walk away with the title and prizes are Jonas Oñate, Julius Cawaling, Shaina Mae Allaga and Rafaello Cañedo. Most of them said that if Lady Luck is on their side, they will donate some part of the P2M to their chosen church, school or charitable institution, while others shared they would allot the money to business and other investments.

They, too, revealed how TNT has changed their lives for the better besides the popularity they enjoy from joining the contest.

Ten-time defending champion Elaine said many good things have happened since she joined TNT. In the past, she used to perform at concert bars for free. “Aside from marami nang nakakakilala, marami na ring gigs at kumukuha sa’yo. Of course, tumataas din yung rate mo as a performer. Dati kasi laging nate-thank you and sometimes the worse is you have to perform 30 songs for P1,500 per night.”

Julius, a five-time defending champion, said, “Now, nakakapagsuot na kami ng mga makikintab (na damit) and we do not have to buy them because they are provided by the sponsors. People can recognize you anywhere you go, hindi man madami pero iba talaga yung naibibigay na exposure ng TNT. The competition helped me become well-disciplined when it comes to taking care of my voice.”

Jonas, another five-time defending champ from Calbayog, Samar, said TNT has been instrumental for him to dream bigger things.

“I was once a palaboy at pulubi na namamalimos lang po. I couldn’t believe I am now in front of many people watching me from around the world. I always believe that a person can succeed in life hangga’t may tyaga at sipag. Hindi po tayo laging nasa ilalim.”

Instant resbaker Kim said, “Everything has been magical for me when I joined TNT, especially yung magkaroon ka ng self-confidence because of the positive comments from the hurados and support of madlang people. I also realized na sobrang solid sumuporta ng mga kababayan. I am so proud and thankful for that.”

Tawag ng Tanghalan has produced a roster of artists who are now making a name in the industry like the TNT Boys, Janine Berdin, Sheena Belarmino, Noven Belleza and Sam Mangubat.

“I am proud to say that Tawag ng Tanghalan is a gem of Philippine show business and this is the No. 1 original Filipino concept of ABS-CBN. More than the bigness, I think it’s the legacy that Tawag ng Tanghalan can bring to our culture because at the end of the day, we don’t just produce stars, we produce singers,” said It’s Showtime business unit head Peter Dizon.