UTAWIT 2008
UTAWIT 2008 GRAND FINALS
By Caryn Paredes-Santillan
Although the morning of 12 October 2008 was chilly, there was palpable excitement in the air as people gathered in front of the Meguro Kumin Center to prepare for the day's activities. People exchanged smiles, suppressed yawns, and rubbed sleep-deprived eyes as they set up for the day. The whole place was abuzz with excitement as people went about their tasks. After almost a year in the making, it was finally the day of reckoning: the Grand Finals of UTAWIT 2008.
The first half of the program started with an AV presentation about music and the formation of UTAWIT and a special number from the former champions of UTAWIT before segueing to the contest proper. First up was Mona Liza Harada of Shizuoka who gave a soulful rendition of Paano, followed by Roshiela Oikawa of Morioka who sang Kimi ga iru kagiri. Next, Joseph de Leon of Ibaraki, the only gentleman among the contestants, crooned to the tune of Kahit Isang Saglit. Hokkaido's finalist, Luna Nishikawa sang Nagori Yuki. Kyoto's Yoko Castro Miyashita gave her rendition of Follow Your Dream and Tokyo's Mariko Kizuka sang the song Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin. The performance of the first round of contestants was followed by a couple of charming dance numbers from the Tokyo University of Foreign Studies Philippine Dance Troupe. The second half started with Shine by Kyushu's Queen Santos, Dadalhin by Aichi's Ma. Elizabeth Osono, and Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw by Tokyo's Emalyn Takahashi. The competition was rounded up by Tokyo's Marilou Ellorin who sang Isang Lahi and Nagano's Rosalie Izumi with her rendition of the song Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang.
While the scores were being tallied, the audience was further entertained by a number from Charito and another one of all the finalists singing the UTAWIT theme song. The final part of the program was hosted by Dennis Sun and Joselin Kobayashi. The panel of judges was led by Mr. Akihiko Shimizu, the executive vice president of Sony Music Entertainment. The panel was further rounded out by singer and producer Mr. Jay Vergara; Mr. Tom Clark of the Tokyo International Players; Ms. Jenny Nishimura, singer and former Bagong Kampeon champion; and Consul General Sulpicio Confiado of the Philippine Embassy, Tokyo. The regional organizers who were present --- Kyoto, Nagano, Ibaraki, Morioka, Shizuoka, Hokkaido, and Kyushu --- were awarded certificates of appreciation.
Everyone was on tenterhooks as the results were announced. The scores were officially tabulated by Pat Sanchez and Jera Bea Lego of the AFSJ. The contestant from Kyoto, Ms. Yoko Miyashita was awarded the 3rd prize and received 100,000 yen and a trophy. Ms. Emalyn Takahashi of Tokyo was awarded the 2nd prize, a trophy and 130,000 yen. Finally, the grand prize went to Ms. Queen Santos of Kyushu, who received a trophy, 150,000 yen, and a round-trip plane ticket to the Philippines courtesy of Philippine Airlines.
The Utawit 2008 executive committee would like to thank all the sponsors, regional organizers, contestants, and volunteers for making this year's event truly successful! Mabuhay kayong lahat!
Congratulations to the winners and kitakits
sa UTAWIT 2009!
UTAWIT 2007 SINGING COMPETITION
The qualifying 10 finalists for the grand finals pose with the judges and the organizing staff.
WATCH the UTAWIT 2007 Grand Final Competition on April 1, 2007 (Sunday) 1 PM- 5PM
at the Hotel Mariners' Court Tokyo.
Advanced Tickets at 3,000 yen, Regular Tickets at 3,500 yen
Please contact the Philippine Labor Office for tickets, sponsorship and other infos:
03-5562-1573-74
UTAWIT 2007, the only Grand National Singing Contest for Filipinos in Japan, will have auditions in the 3
biggest cities: Tokyo, Osaka & Nagoya. By insistent public demand, the Utawit 2007 Execom has found a way
to penetrate Western Japan through the support of the Osaka Consulate General (Consul Senen Mangalile), the
Filipino Migrants Center in Nagoya (Ms. Virgie Ishihara), the Philippine NAKAMA in Shizuoka (Ms.
Melinda Yamashita) and most probably in Niigata, too.
The
name UTAWIT was derived from the word song in Filipino and Japanese
combined. Three of the most distinguished Filipino community groups,
namely: Teatro Kanto - a Theater Arts OFW group, Samahang Pilipino –
largest and oldest workers organization and the Jeepney Press – a local
publication taking pride of its broad readership spearheaded this noble
project, in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy thru the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Tokyo. In Utawit 2007, these
groups will be further reinforced by the Philippine Showbands and
Musicians' Union, the Science and Technology Advisory Council-Japan
& the United Martial Arts International.
UTAWIT
is the very first national singing competition here in Japan that
showcase Filipino music and talents on stage. It aims to encourage
participation and healthy competition among Filipino migrants here in
Japan, and to open venues for musical enthusiast in promoting
Philippine songs and music. And most importantly, UTAWIT is also a fund
raising event that aims to support worthwhile Filcom projects like CGMA
- Donate-A-Classroom Project, a joint project of DOLE (Dept. of Labor
and Employment), DFA (Dept. of Foreign Affairs), DE (Dept. of
Education) and FFCCCII (Federation of Filipino-Chinese Chambers
of Commerce and Industry Incorporated).
 Cristina Kanakubo won the 2nd place
of UTAWIT 2005 held last March 27 at the Tokyo American Club.
As one of the major winners, she has now established a name
in the Filipino community by rendering her talent in singing at
various events. She is a character personality as Manang Tsuper
in Jeepney Press' Nihonggo Xpress. It's about learning Nihonggo
the fun and easy way. Cristina is such a fun and talented person.
Contact us if you would like her to perform in your activities.
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