Cebuana lass is The Clash ultimate champ
After 13 weeks of vocal training, personality development and grueling rounds of vocal competition, Golden Cañedo was named the first ultimate champ of GMA 7’s The Clash. The announcement was made during the show’s finale round aired live last Sept. 30.
Tagged as Ang Golden Voice ng Cebu, the 16-year-old belter bested four other clashers namely, Josh Adornado, Jong Daliday, Mirriam Manalo and Garrett Bolden.
During the first round of the singing showdown, each gave their best performance for the judges, composed of Lani Misalucha, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Christian Bautista, to determine the Top 2 for the Ultimate Final Clash. Mirriam was first to sing on stage with Climb Every Mountain, Golden came next with the George Canseco composition Ngayon, then followed by Jong with his emotional rendition of Labyrinth’s Jealous. Garrett, on the other hand, made John Legend’s All of Me his contest piece while Josh hit the right notes of How Am I Supposed to Live Without You.
Golden and Jong emerged as the Top 2 clashers with the latter proceeding to give his cool version of Roses by The Chainsmokers for the final showdown. But Golden sang her heart out in Ikaw Ang Pangarap, hitting all the high notes with ease. Small wonder, her victory came with much anticipation.
“I am so happy and thankful to all who supported me to reach the finals and to be The Clash champion,” said the tearful teener in the vernacular after the show. She also appreciated how many people have been noticing her close resemblance to Sarah Geronimo who is one of her singing idols. “Mas na-cha-challenge po ako na pagbutihan dahil nakikita nila akong the next Sarah Geronimo.”
As the grand champion, Golden won a brand-new car, an exclusive contract with GMA 7, a house and lot from BRIA Homes and P1M.
When asked what she would do with the cash prize, Golden said she will finance the operation of her nineyear-old cousin to correct an imperforate anus. “Kaya po nag-pursige din akong manalo para po maipa-opera s’ya dahil malaki na s’ya at tinutukso.”
Her kind heart also knows how to keep a promise. Golden shared that before the announcement of the winner, she and Jong had an agreement that whoever wins will give balato (money given away by the winner). “We even made a pinkie swear so I’ll give him P50,000 as our agreed amount.”
Meanwhile, the four other finalists also went home with a cash prize of P100,000 each and will join Golden in the latest Kapuso Sunday variety show Studio 7.
Also present in the finals night were the finalists booted out earlier on the show. They were Melbelline Caluag, Danielle Ozaraga, Mika Gorospe, Esterlina Olmedo, Lyra Micolob and Kyryll Ugdiman and Anthony Rosaldo. Esterlina was hailed as the Most Loved Clasher for being a favorite on social media and in mall shows.
The new season of The Clash will take place next year and rounds of auditions are now being held nationwide to find the next set of clashers. Those who auditioned before but failed to make it are welcome to try their luck again.