Former child actor CJ Navato’s winning performance of Gary Valenciano’s Warrior Is a Child on TV5’s “Sing Galing: Sing-lebrity Edition,” was more than just a vocal showcase; it was a reflection of his personal and professional growth since he started in the entertainment business.
He was just seven when he joined ABS-CBN’s “Star Circle Quest: Kids Edition” in 2004 and “Goin’ Bulilit” in 2005.
“The song of my life, it’s going back to that song (Warrior Is a Child). That warrior is the child actor. Gusto mong yakapin yung batang ikaw, na ito na yung yakap ko sa kanya,” CJ said after emerging as the grand winner on “Sing Galing: Sing-lebrity Edition.” The finals night was held at the Meralco Theater.
He competed against fellow contestants Johannes Rissler (first runner-up), Alexa Miro, Jay Gonzaga, Sexbomb Monic, and Nikki Valdez.
CJ won a cash prize of P500,000, a three-day, two-night stay for two at Kalaiyaan Coast, P100,000 worth of furniture from Sylpauljoyce and a stay at Solano Hotel. The Ultimate Bida-Oke Trophy was designed by renowned visual artist Alon Palisoc. CJ’s chosen bidaficiary, Erika Malle, also won P500,000.
It was the first time that CJ had ever won a singing competition, and he conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to “Sing Galing” for giving him the opportunity.
“I entered showbiz because of singing — that was my reason for joining. And to be here now, I’m proud of it and I want to share the talent that God has given me. To be here and to be given this opportunity is a blessing and we can only continue to move forward until the next (project),” CJ beamed as he revealed plans to release more original songs in the near future.
“I was also doing a play during the early days of ‘Sing Galing,’” the theater actor recalled. “Parang nagmamadali ako but I just felt that I needed to be here. Alam mo, ito yung blessing in disguise. You didn’t know kung gaano siya kalaking blessing para sayo. This is an unexpected blessing. Well, blessings are unexpected naman talaga.
“But if I’m going to summarize my (‘Sing Galing’) journey, this has been the most exciting, unexpected musical journey that I will never forget.”
Through the show, CJ was given the chance to showcase his passion for singing and his love for performing, with karaoke being a big part of who he is. “Puro theater pa ako ngayon but I am ready to take on more roles,” he added.
CJ recently played Popoy in the musical “One More Chance” and Cris in “Liwanag sa Dilim,” among other stage projects.
In an earlier interview with The STAR, CJ shared how the show served as a reintroduction of himself as an artist.
“I don’t think I’ve clearly introduced myself now. So I think that’s what they can expect — who I am now. I think they saw me grow up as a ‘Goin’ Bulilit’ kid. I guess, I discovered more and more, and I think that’s what I hope they see — that I love performing and I’m ready to show that performance and I’m just having fun.”
“Before, I’ve been unsure of myself but now I’ve gained clarity on who I am, what I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to do,” he further reflected.
The grand finals of the “Sing Galing: Sing-lebrity Edition” felt like a get-together, as the former contestants were also in attendance, including Patricia Javier, Anton Diva, Krissha Viaje, Dawn Chang, Mark Ian Garcia, Vitto Marquez and Arman Salon.
They were joined by “Sing-lebrities” from the 2022 edition such as Joseph Bitangcol, Pepe Herrera and Patrick Quiroz, and from previous editions like Marimar Tua Parayao, Carmela Lorzano, Shanen Garciso and the Ultimate Bida-o-kid Star from “Sing Galing Kids,” Emil Malaborbor.
The “jukebosses” or judges of the recent edition were Ariel Rivera, Jessa Zaragoza, Dingdong Avanzado, Mitoy Yonting, Nina, Vehnee Saturno, Ronnie Liang, Ella May Saison, Rey Valera and the first “Sing Galing” grand champion, Ethel Booba.
The Singmasters were Donita Nose, K Brosas and Randy Santiago, with “Sing Galing” 1998 host John “Sweet” Lapus.