6 Cebuano finalists in ‘The Clash’

CEBU, Philippines —  As GMA’s newest singing competition, “The Clash” inches its way onto television screens nationwide, the show has started teasing audiences with sneak peeks of its newest crop of singing talents.

Kicking off its auditions in February, “The Clash” scoured the country from Cebu, Metro Manila, Baguio, and Davao in search for the next singing superstar.

Just this month, 62 official contestants known as “Clashers” have been revealed and hailed as the “toughest, fiercest and most talented” of the hoard that braved the auditions.

Among the 62 Clashers, six of them are from Cebu, namely: 16-year-old Grade 9 student at the Cebu City National Science High School, Angel Pielago; Sinulog Idol Season 3 first runner-up and WCOPA contender, Danielle Ozaraga; Mass Communication graduate from the Cebu Institute of Technology University, Joannah Jane Sy of Labangon; 49-year-old Talisay native, Esterlina Olmedo; 16-year-old student of the University of the Visayas, Golden Cañedo; and Abigail Sellote from Minglanilla.

Hosted by no less than Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez Alcasid, “The Clash” sees beyond age, genre, or training as they invited singers from all over the country to compete and challenge each other face-to-face in a battle of musical prowess.

Directors Bert de Leon and Louie Ignacio, and singer-songwriter Jay Durias served as members of the panel that sifted one auditionee after the other during the show’s regional call for contestants.

A product of singing competitions herself, Regine is happy to be part of “The Clash.” Recognizing the undeniable fire in konteseras, Regine reminded hopefuls that the survival show is looking for the ultimate package: one who can not only sing and perform but hopefully cross over into television and film and conquer the multimedia game.

With a July 7 air date, “The Clash” has already given their contestants a boost by putting them on the ground so viewers can have a taste of what to expect in the competition. Clashers performed alongside Kapuso stars during the Independence Day celebration of their respective regions. Our Central Visayas Clashers were present during the flag raising ceremony at the Liberty Shrine in Lapu-Lapu City alongside Kapuso star and Pambansang Bae Alden Richards.

Promising an interesting format, “The Clash” gives its Clashers full control as they pick their challenger, thereby choosing their own destiny.

Other celebrities who will be working on “The Clash” are actress Ai Ai delas Alas, singer Christian Bautista and Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha. Apart from public votes, the trio will be the show’s quality control, being performers themselves.