Wish 107.5 launches tilt for the ‘next singing sensation’ on YouTube

FM RADIO STATION, Wish 107.5, has launched its first online singing competition meant to find “the country’s next singing sensation” after having gathered 20 contestants from all over the country.

“Sometimes it takes another country to recognize the Filipino talent, and that’s only the time that they’re introduced to the Filipino people – and we do not want that to happen,” said Daniel Razon, chairman and CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Productions, Inc. (BMPI), in a press release.

BMPI manages the station owned by Progressive Broadcasting Co.

The station then embarked on three-month search (both online and offline) for the 20 contestants and “has toured provinces from all over the country,” said Jay Eusebio, VP for Marketing of BMPI during the launch on Aug. 31 at Eastwood City, Quezon City.

He added that over a thousand aspirants joined the search.

The “Wishful 20” are: Al Fritz, Audrey Ranelyn Malaiba, Carmela Ariola, Charlene Hernandez, Chris Noel Bernalde, Daniel Briones, Danielle Joshua Supnet, Diana Tabitha Caro, Hacel Bartolome, Jenimay Mabini, John Harvey Magos, JM Bales, Kimberly Baluzo, Kristine Joy Peralta, Louie Ann Culala, Luka Bonol, Princess Sevillena, Vien King, Louise Ann Manuel, and Zekiah Jane Miller.

The 20 contestants will perform “only Original Pilipino Music (OPM)” and be filmed, on the station’s WISH 107.5 bus. The resulting videos will then be uploaded on the station’s YouTube channel.

WISH 107.5 currently has a running program called “Wishclusives” featuring local and foreign artists singing – including Luke Mejares and Journey frontman, Arnel Pineda – on the aforementioned WISH bus with videos uploaded on the YouTube channel.

The videos of the contestants singing will be judged by singer/songwriter Jungee Marcelo, Annie Quintos of the Company, and singer Jay R (Gaudencio Sillona III).

“The judges will watch the taped performances and react accordingly,” said Mr. Eusebio.

“And unlike usual singing contests where part of the final score will be from text votes (like American Idol), video views will contribute to the final score,” he added.

The video views will comprise 30% of the contestant’s score while the remaining 70% will be from the judges.

Every Saturday – Mr. Eusebio figures the contest will run for six months – a contestant will be eliminated until one reigns supreme.

The champion of the entire contest will win P2 million and a contract, a house and a lot, and a new car.

“This is our first season [of the competition] and we hope it won’t be last,” said Mr. Eusebio. – Zsarlene B. Chua