PH singers raise flag high in European contests

raise flag high in European contests

Pinoy singers Rachel Gabreza, Jay Kent, and Micah Jane each clinched major awards at various times throughout 2018 in the prestigious Euro Talent Festival (ETF).

ETF is the official partner of six European-based international competitions. These include Europop singing contest, Arpeggio International singing festival, Stars of the Albion International performing arts festival and competition, New Air in Tarragona, Trixie International art festival, and Star Rain in Prague.

Rachel won the Grand Prix at London’s

Stars of the Albion 2018, while Jay Kent took home the same award at Europop singing contest 2018 held in Berlin, Germany.

Micah, on the other hand, clinched the Grand Prix in the 2018 Arpeggio International singing competition in Valletta, Malta.

At a recent press conference, the three were obviously still on a high over their success.

“It feels great. Of course, I got nervous that I was the only Filipino representative (in the contest I joined). I was under a lot of pressure,” Jay said.

The 17-year-old competed with 19 European countries. Jay wowed the audience with her original song “Infinity,” which earned her the Grand Prix award.

It was not the first time Jay joined such a competition. She did so before in 2016, at 14 years old and with no experience. Luckily, the singer placed 5th.

Micah, on her part, first joined Euro Talent Festival in 2017. She was the sole representative of the Philippines and Asia at the Europop singing contest held in Berlin. Despite that it was her first time to join a singing contest, Micah bagged 3rd place.

“It was a surreal experience,” she said.

According to the 24-year-old, her ETF experience taught her to “never doubt oneself.” The support of the people around her and that appreciation she got from the Malta invite, made her realize that believing in your talent is key to success. “When I first got there, I was asking myself, ‘Do I deserve to be here?’ Eventually, I realized that nobody can ever be my greatest supporter but myself,” was how she put it. Rachel is not new to singing competitions. She was an eight-time defending champion on “It’s Showtime” segment “Tawag Ng Tanghalan.” She occasionally appears on “ASAP Natin ‘To” as member of TNT Divas.

Stars of the Albion was her first international competition.

“I didn’t expect to win, but the stars aligned for me.”

More exposure

VEGA Entertainment Productions, owned and managed by Maria Rosario “Charie” Vega, is the official partner in Asia for those European competitions.

She, together with ETF mentor and managing director Marielle Mamaclay, selects and trains the country’s representative in the prestigious festival every year.

Charie explained how European competitions judge its contestants.

“The judging there is very old school. No online voting point system and they are very particular with the tone (of the voice),” she said. “They focus on the quality of the voice, regardless if you’re biritera or not. They are also very particular with the songs’ content which is why we always encourage our delegates to sing their originals.”

On future plans for Rachel, Jay Kent and Micah, Charie is working on giving them more exposure in the Philippines.

Jay Kent has her debut single “Just 2 Love U” on iTunes and Spotify. She regularly performs at Resorts World Manila.

Micah’s original “Last Round” is available on the same platform.