MGT Season 1 winners excited for American Idol auditions next month

Season 1 winners of the Marianas Got Talent are preparing for their American Idol auditions scheduled for Aug. 19, according to the newly formed Save the Music Foundation.

During a sit-down conversation with MGT Season 1 winners Sebastian Tajibmai and Bernice Shane Sabino as well as Save the Music Foundation chair Arlene Reyes last Friday, they shared their excitement to represent the CNMI on an internationally known competition like American Idol.

“Honestly, it hasn’t really hit me yet, but I hope it will later,” said Sabino. “I feel like just more nervous and I feel like this is kind of like the biggest thing that I’ve ever done. Hopefully I can really pull this off. And yeah, I hope that I can make a name for myself and like even expose the CNMI even better.”

Tajibmai shared Sabino’s excitement plus some jitters as well. “Right now, I’m very anxious. But all that is in my mind now is to just train my voice and exercise my voice so I can do my best when the audition comes.”

Reyes shared that there will be two steps in the audition process, one scheduled audition will be virtual, but the next one would be the televised in-person ones. When asked if a family member will travel alongside them if they make it to the face-to-face audition, Reyes said, “People have expressed interest in supporting Bernice and Sebastian’s audition for American Idol. So, I’m sure that there’s going to be people, and I know there’s already some people that I’ve met who are willing to assist us in support. In many cases, it’s usually just the person, the artist, or the contestant that’s sponsored and not the family member.”

She said in any event, Save the Music can do some fundraising for Tajibmai and Sabino.

“I don’t want to say yes and no, but I will share that I would love for the mother or the sister or any family member that’s going to be there to support, but I cannot guarantee that we’re going to cover that expense. Because our priority is, of course, S.J. (Tajibmai) and Bernice. But we believe that having a support system is important so hopefully, we can get sponsorship for the immediate family member that’s going to be there to show them the support. Even though I’ll be there, it’s even so much better when their family is there.”

Sabino credited Reyes’ hard work as the main reason they’re heading to the auditions for the American Idol. “Thanks to Miss Arlene’s dream and our dream, it kind of made everything possible.”

She shared, “I didn’t think I’d come this far considering the number of amazing singers that we had to come across during the MGT competition itself. It was quite the challenge, but being here, honestly, I’m just really grateful. And I’m grateful that God has given us this experience and I just hope that we can do what we need to do. This is it.”

“I really didn’t think I would come this far either,” said Tajibmai. “I will not lie. I don’t think I took the competition as serious as the other contestants. Not only the competition, but also singing in general. I was very complacent with how I was with my singing and the music I made. But hanging out with them over the months and going through the competition, it became more than a competition. Everyone was really helping each other to become better. And when I saw that there was more for me to learn and that I could achieve more, that’s when I started to fall in love with music all over again. And that’s when I started to take things more seriously. Here we are now.”

Reyes shared that she gets emotional just watching Tajibmai and Sabino head on this journey, and represent the NMI.

“You know, last year when we started the competition, I knew within my heart that one day I’m going to see somebody go up there. I’m committed to working to ensure that the CNMI is represented on these national platforms. It’s about time, and our very top winners are getting the chance.”

In the end, Reyes said the American Idol audition is bigger than Tajibmai and Sabino, but believes that the duo will do their best.

“This is an accomplishment, to be able to promote the CNMI, but I think it is an accomplishment to let the younger generation see that you can do this too, if you try. You can only find out if you try. You’ll never know if you don’t. So, with what we’re doing as the younger generation, I hope would push more people more to get out there.”

Tajibmai’s goal had always been to encourage others in the NMI to not be ashamed to show the talent he knows they have. He had shared in his first auditions in MGT that this was his goal.

“Seeing other islanders becoming either popular or famous and seeing all of that makes me envious in a way. Because I know that our people have the same musical talents too, but it’s just I guess we don’t give as much attention to it. So, I want us to make that the norm where no one is really anxious or ashamed to go out there. It’s hard now because we’re the first ones creating the blueprint, but hopefully people follow after. It will make it easier.”

Both Sabino and Tajibmai expressed their eagerness to represent the Northern Mariana Islands on an international stage and thanked their supporters who have been cheering them on.

“From the very beginning we’ve had so many supporters and honestly just a big, big thank you to everyone who told us to keep going. It really goes a long way with our confidence and our self-esteem,” said Sabino.

“We’re all one island, we’re one big family,” said Tajibmai. ” I think that’s why no one gets jealous if they were to see us up there on the big stage. Because when I’m up on the stage or when Bernice is up on the stage that just means that the whole CNMI is up there on the stage. We have our families with us.”

Reyes added “As small as our community is, our people have big hearts when it comes to competitions that represents us as the Marianas. One love. One Marianas.”