Gian Ale chases his dreams

Wake-uppers:

Scene: El Gamma Penumbra will be performing in Tagbilaran City on July 27, 8:30 p.m. at Bohol Wisdom Gymnasium. This is their first public performance after winning Asia's Got Talent in Singapore.

 

Scene: Bol-anon Cyclist, the umbrella group for all bike groups in Bohol, organized the Freedom Ride bringing Philippine flags "to defend Philippine sovereignty and territorial integrity" during the Independence Day celebration in Tagbilaran City. 

 

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The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2 has just been started last Saturday, but the nine-year-old Gian Luigi Ale of Cogon District, this city, already spiced up the stage with his undeniably amazing blind auditions performance.

 

Gian Luigi Ale on the Voice Kids Philippines 2 Courtesy: ABS-CBN

Gian made all the three coaches turned for him when he sang the hit song “Thinking Out Loud” while playing guitar. Just when I thought I'd seen every cover of "Thinking Out Loud" in the known universe, Gian’s might be the best (and the cutest) version.

 

"Masarap lang 'yung tapon mo eh, parang steady lang, very cool, hindi trying hard. Alam mo kung sino ka bilang artist," Lea Salonga told Gian.

 

Sarah Geronimo said, "Pwede kang mag-ballad, pwede ka rin 'yung chill lang na parang nagkukwento lang. Pwede ka ring bumirit nang palaban."

 

"Masarap lang 'yung tapon mo eh, parang steady lang, very cool, hindi trying hard. Alam mo kung sino ka bilang artist," Lea Salonga told  Gian.

 

"Pwede kang mag-ballad, pwede ka rin 'yung chill lang na parang nagkukwento lang. Pwede ka ring bumirit nang palaban," Sarah Geronimo added.

 

Bamboo Mañalac then joked that Geronimo was describing him, pointing out that  Gian also plays the guitar.

 

"Parang ako 'yun, parang ganun, parang ako ang dinescribe mo eh. Oo, ganun, eksakto, tapos may gitara pa."

 

He then told Ale: "Gian, ang gusto ko sa boses mo, 'yung puso, very soulful, kung English. Soulful 'yung pagkanta mo. Natutunaw na kami."

 

Gian Luigi Ale after his performance during 

the birthday celebration of Engr. Jerome 

John Gabin (2^nd from right)... with (l-r)

 his father Arthur, Wincesa Espejo- Araoarao,

 Fiel Angeli Gabin, Cielo and Renji.

Gian chose to be part of Team Sarah.

 

Incidentally, last Friday, Gian performed at the birthday party celebration of  Engr. Jerome John Gabin of DTI-Bohol who turned 45 (His wife Miss Tagbilaran 1987 Fiel Angeli Araoarao-Gabin shared this message on Facebook: ‘Happy 45th Philippine Independence Day Birthday to a man who is loving, caring, endearing, understanding, responsible, generous, supportive and thoughtful in the superlative degree! Your loved ones are here because you are well-loved... You are a blessing to all of us, Hon. You have done so much for so many people . Thank you so much for everything! With much love from all of us!’).

 

 “At first, I felt nervous when the judges had not yet turning their chairs around,” Gian told Butch Bernas of Tagbilaran City Science High School cum cultural worker who conducted the interview. “When Bamboo and Sarah turned their chairs I was very happy and finally coach Leah. I’ve got a standing ovation from the three of them that made me proud of myself.”

 

Butch Bernas with Gian Ale

Gian started singing when he was seven years old, mostly at home. When his teachers and classmates he could sing well, he was asked to sing in school’s activities when he was a grade two pupil at Cogon Elem. School.

 

Gian said he plays the guitar, drums and the ukelele. He shared he likes Ben of Michael Jackson.

 

“I used to play drums, play karatedo at Holy Infant School,” shared Gian who is now a Grade 5 pupil at Holy Infant.

 

His father Arthur and lola Criselda give him sound advices.

 

“They told me to keep feet on the ground... and always be thankful to God,” said Gian.

 

Hundreds of fans say they are hoping Gian will be the next Voice Kids.

 

“I hope they will support me in the competition so I can reach up to semi-finals and the grand final. Please pray for me,” said Gian.

 

The Voice Kids has helped Gian to showcase his talents.

 

“After the contest, I found myself like an artist already,” said Gian who dreams to become a pop artist.

 

"The Voice Kids," which is hosted by Robi Domingo and Yeng Constatino, airs Saturdays at 6:45 p.m. and on Sundays at 7:30 p.m.

 

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.

Kim Mainit gets warm homecoming

Wake-uppers:

Scene: From Edik Dolotina on Mandolin Regis’ (Amay to all her friends) death:  If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane, I'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again. As I close the Ramadan today, I offer my sacrifices for the everlasting peace of my very good friend, Mandolin Regis and her unborn child. I will surely miss you Amay. I had an exciting journey with you. We will be having our reunion when it is our time. Sleep tight girl.

Scene: The coronation night of Miss Philippines-USA 2013 is on August 18 at the La Mirada Theatre of Performing Arts. For tickets, please call 818-242-2088.

A mini-tornado hit Jagna, damaging five houses in barangay Can-upao. Courtesy: Allan Espiritu/Can-upao BDRRMC

Scene: From Brigitte Tanoja Burato who posted this message on Facebook:  Hi Everyone! I would just like to tell all of you that I was not dethroned as Ms. Bohol Sandugo 2013. I backed out as a candidate for Ms. Silka Bohol 2013 after I have learned that I am not allowed to join any pageants while I am the reigning Ms. Bohol Sandugo 2013. The issue has already been resolved. I am hoping that this will end all the speculations. Let us all maintain positive vibes. Thanks to all Boholanos who are all been supportive since day one. I am truly grateful after seeing all the concerned comments and reactions, it all made me happy that there are many people that care. God Bless and again Daghang Salamat Bohol!

Scene: The Bohol Runners Club has announced that runners can register for the Bohol International Marathon 2013 today. With a new route for the race, the event is expected to draw keen participation from both professional and leisure runners from Bohol, the country and across the globe. The Bohol International Marathon 2013 will be held on Sunday, August 25. There will be three official race categories – 42km, 21km and 10km – and registration fees are Php 1,500, Php 1,000 and Php 500, respectively. For the 5k- fun run category, the registration fee is Php 350 (with singlet) and Php 100. Registration for the Bohol International Marathon 2013 is available at Tagbilaran Community Hospital Business Office, Runner's Circle Shop in Cebu, Arbilon's Eatery beside Panglao Municipal Hall. It is also available on Facebook page Bohol International Marathon. For more details, contact the Secretariat at 09327111484.

Scene: At least five houses were damaged when a waterspout which developed into a tornado barreled through barangay Can-upao in Jagna last Sunday, August 4. While no one was reported hurt, residents were scared as winds blew the roofs off their houses. According to Allan Espiritu,  who took photos of the damaged houses, residents were caught by surprise as what they initially thought as an approaching heavy rain formed into a huge violent rotating column of winds ripping away roofs of their houses around 10 p.m. Barangay Can-upao was hit by a tornado in July 2012.

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Winning "The Voice Philippines" is the goal, but for Bohol’s pride Kim Mainit, “The Boses na May Gustong Patunayan,” going home is always the sweetest trip.

Kim Mainit

After the stressful battle rounds, Kim got the chance to be with his family and friends for a two-day visit in Bohol on Wednesday.

According to VRS, who tagged along with Kim, tears flowed as he finally got to meet his immediate family in Anda town whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. He also paid an emotional visit to the cemetery to visit the graves of his grandparents “to pay homage and ask for guidance.”

The 16-year-old lad from Anda couldn't keep his emotions in check during his sentimental trip back to Bohol, where he dropped in at the city and provincial government offices, hung out with friends at Martins Resto Bar and judged a talent show in Dauis. He also popped in to dyRD and dyTR for his radio stations drop-ins.

Kim studied at Holy Spirit School (HSS)-Tagbilaran where he was an active member of HSS-Red Cross Youth (RCY). 

According to Emman Pilayre, former president of RCY, Kim also volunteered in the many activities of RCY.

“I’m proud of Kimpoy! He’s proud to be an RCY!” said Emman.

Since TVOP contest requires tons of loads to guarantee a win, Kim is asking the support of his fellow Boholanos to vote for him to achieve his long-time dream of becoming the voice in the music industry.

“Thank you so much for the support system BOHOL :))” he posted on Facebook.

During every battle round, Kim always earned the praises of the judges and the viewers, making him as one of their top favorites.

He admitted that ever since he was a child, he always loved to sing and be able to sing with his idols.

Kim Mainit receives a warm welcome from officials and fans in his whirlwind visit to Bohol. 

 Courtesy: Elvie Bongosia and Kim Mainit

Kim said that through TVOP, he was able to embrace and love the music world.

His mentor Broadway star Leah Salongga said she always believed in his exceptional talent.

Kim is asking his fellow Boholanos to vote for him. Just wait for the text voting mechanics.

Also in first season of TVOP is Boholano diva Eva Gulle-delos Santos (of Sarah G team). Music has been part of Eva's life. During her glory days of singing, she was able to perform around the country and in some major cities around Asia. She told ABS-CBN that  she joined the competition not only for the chance of making her dreams come true, but to inspire people her age that they can still dream new dreams, or awaken passion in hiatus.

The plot is thickening. Painit na nang painit!

Again, stand by for further development.

More of Kim courtesy of TVOP:

Kim discovered that he is adopted when he accidentally overheard his Aunts talking about it. He later on learned that his birth father is the brother of his adoptive father, but he still has not met his birth mother. Both of his adoptive parents are working overseas and it was his extended relatives who worked together to raise him to the young lad he is today.

Kim Learned music through the family he grew up with. It may not be in his genes, but he did a fantastic job of learning to spot notes on his own. He wanted to join a choir earlier on, but the group turned him down as he would cause "imbalance" in the team. That incident might have affected him as he did not join any singing competitions prior to the show.

Kim Mainit joins TVOP to make his adoptive parents proud. He would want to win the competition to save enough money to keep his parents from working abroad further.

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Thanks for your letters, all will be answered. Comments welcome at leoudtohan@yahoo.com, follow leoudtohan at Twitter /Facebook.