Photo Coverage: Northwind Singers Wins GLEE Sing Off In The Philippines

"Gleeks" of the Philippines trooped into the Centerstage Theatre at SM Mall of Asia (SM-MOA) Tuesday night, June 8, 2010 to cheer for their favored Metro Manila-based show choirs competing in television networks ETC and Jack TV's "The Great Glee Sing Off" finals (three contending show choirs with 8-12 members perform a ballad, and a musical number from Fox TV's hit show "Glee").

Northwind Singers from the Trinity University of Asia won over show choirs Blazing Sensations and Himig Sanghaya.  These young university students performed "Shake Yer Head" by local rock band The Eraserheads, and crowd-favourite "My Life Would Suck Without You" from "Glee" during the finals.

Kyle Jordan dela Cruz, Shawn Sandi, Candace Jan, Stephen Geneblaza, Engelbert Mendoza, Patricia Noreen de Lara, Walter Bungay, Larisse de Leon, Alethea Ever Taclobao, Rina Camille Arejola, and Jennah Javier comprised Northwind Singers. 

Panel of judges included Rudy Tee of Sony Music Philippines, Sweet Plantado of theatre school Trumpets Playshop, Annie Quinto and Moy Ortiz of premier harmony singing group The CompanY, and Edel Pepito Anne Coronel of Solar Entertainment Corporation (mother company of both ETC and Jack TV). 

Selected alumni from Trumpets Playshop's recent summer musical theatre master class, led by Fred Lo (Mark Cohen in the Manila staging of "Rent") with Enrique Canoy ("No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat"), Nathania Tan Manalang, Kevin Concepcion ("High School Musical On Stage"), Jay Pangilinan ("High School Musical On Stage," "Sweeney Todd"), Pamela Imperial and Ingrid Nieto presented opening and midway production numbers that were reminiscent of "Glee". 

The CompanY's surprise appearance and musical numbers, including "Glee's" recent season finale highlight "Bohemian Rhapsody" (performed by "Spring Awakening's" Jonathan Groff in the show) received an enthusiastic round of applause from the audience.

The evening's big winner, Northwind Singers, took home PhP 100,000.00 cash prize,  a group performance workshop package from Trumpets Playshop, and gift bags from ETC, Jack TV and other sponsors. 

ETC and Jack TV aired "Glee's" season one finale in the Philippines a day after the said event. 

Photos by Ulysses Manuel

Oliver is about to earn his M.S. degree in public relations and corporate communication from New York University while serving as regional editor for BroadwayWorld.com. Over the past 18 years, Oliver has been handling public relations and corporate communication for numerous brands (including Pepsi), Broadway shows, Broadway stars, non-profit organizations, and mainstream celebrities. He also teaches public relations at De La Salle University-Manila. Follow Oliver on Twitter: @OliverOliveros

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