Ivy Grace Paredes, a UAE-based Filipina mother, bested six other Overseas Filipinos (OF) at DZMM’s Global Pinoy Singing Idol on Feb. 3 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila in Pasay City.
Paredes, who first gained fame as fan favorite in United Kingdom’s X Factor, sang her way to the title and the $2,500 grand prize with an average score of 93.67 percent, wowing judges Ogie Alcasid, The Company’s Annie Quintos, and Erik Santos, reported The Standard.
Karl Tanhueco, also from the UAE, was first runner up and Saori Matsuo from Japan second runner-up in the annual competition organized by the leading AM radio station in Mega Manila seven years ago to discover new singing talents among Filipinos living or working abroad, the report said.
The finalists were determined after holding separate contests in the US, UAE, and Japan when DZMM held its “World Caravan,” where the station picked the top two contestants in each region.
Just like DZMM, which overseas Filipinos are able to access via TFC.tv and dzmm.com.ph, the Global Pinoy Singing Idol serves as a link to home for our kababayans who are also looking for a venue to showcase their talents.
This year, DZMM even gave the finalists a grand homecoming, bringing them back to the Philippines to be with their family and friends for the finals.
Adding to the star-studded lineup during the GPSI finals, which was hosted by DZMM anchors Winnie Cordero and Ahwel Paz, were Angeline Quinto, actress Sue Ramirez and BoybandPH, reported The Standard.
