{"id":412859,"date":"2024-08-28T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-28T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=412859"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"16-contestants-prepare-for-Voices-of-the-Marianas-elimination-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/16-contestants-prepare-for-Voices-of-the-Marianas-elimination-round\/","title":{"rendered":"16 contestants prepare for Voices of the Marianas elimination round"},"content":{"rendered":"

After completing two audition calls, 16 contestants are preparing to voice off on the Voices of the Marianas Singing Competition.<\/p>\n

This past Saturday the Voices of the Marianas concluded the audition phase for the singing competition at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, with seven more vocalists added to the nine from the first round of auditions.<\/p>\n

Following their audition, several contestants shared with Saipan Tribune<\/em> their sentiments passing the auditions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel good. I really was excited to meet everybody and see everybody. So, I\u2019m excited for next round,\u201d said Lou Guevarra after her a cappella performance of Jamie Grace\u2019s God Girl<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel happy,\u201d said 17-year-old Donna Rose Santiago, adding that she nearly didn\u2019t make it to the audition, but now that it was over, she was glad she did.<\/p>\n

Santiago, who happens to be a sister of Season 1 runner-up Donato Santiago, shared that the competition had helped her get back on stage after a long while, and her heartfelt version of Lady Gaga\u2019s Always Remember Us this Way<\/em> received positive feedback from the judges.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was younger, I would always sing but then I stopped, and that\u2019s why I get scared now. But now I feel relieved that I have hope,\u201d said Santiago. \u201cMy experience so far is good. Everyone here is really nice. They treat me like family. That\u2019s why I love it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sixteen-year-old Karlymae Joy Kapileo Lizama\u2019s audition gained praise from all the judges, after performing her original song Matter of Time<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was really nervous at first when I got on the stage. But overall, I\u2019m really thankful I got to come here today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lizama expressed her delight at the reception of her song. She said that she thinks she will be doing more throughout the competition. The Marianas High School student added that she had been really shy to perform in the competition, especially in front of an audience, but with guidance and support from the VOTM committee and her peers, she was able to.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m impressed,\u201d said special judge John Sablan. He noted that it was great to see the turnout of those who want to get involved in music.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I would see more. There\u2019s a lot of closeted singers, people that are great at singing, but they\u2019re shy in front of people. I would encourage them or any of them to come, even if you\u2019re not that good, because I know for a fact you don\u2019t have to be a great singer to be a great performer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like Sablan, Felix Rabauliman is new to the VOTM judges panel and shared, \u201cIt\u2019s been a good experience.\u201d He hopes to bring constructive criticism to help not only the competition but the contestants as well. \u201cI\u2019m here to just make sure to give the critique that I personally thought I could contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know the cause of Voices of the Marianas… They have a mission that I really admire, and it\u2019s really going to help the music community here on island. What better way to help than to volunteer for whatever they want to do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

When asked on his thoughts on the number of individuals who showed their desire to pursue music in the competition, he said, \u201cI think it shows that for a long time, this island has really talented musicians who are just very overlooked. I\u2019m just basing it on what I see in other places that have worse conditions than this place, but have stronger musical backing, community-wise. I want to help push that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Competing alongside Lizama, Santiago, and Guevarra are Alyana Rotap, Justin Tubera, Althea Surima, Gil Gupalao, Kaden Manglona, Jennifer Masters, Jordan Ruiz, Jason Lizama, Simon Necesito, Donnel Isip, Franko Deleon Guerrero, Johanna Mogar, and Priscilla Pangelinan.<\/p>\n

Joining Rabauliman on the judges panel are Irene Holl, Vinny Orsini, Lovelynn Trinidad Flores, and Tom Basa. Special judges are Sablan, Leo Pangelinan, J.J. Concepcion, and Luella Marciano.<\/p>\n

The competition is the second of its kind, but the first under their new organization Save the Music Foundation-CNMI. STMF-CNMI acting vice president Donovan Castro shared that the elimination round will take place on Sept. 7, 2024 from 1pm to 5pm at the multi-purpose center and admission is $10 for 12 years old and above.<\/p>\n

To find out more information, check out Voices of the Marianas on Facebook.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Voices of the Marianas Singing Competition judges and Save the Music Foundation-CNMI officials pose with the final round of contestants after auditions last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Voices of the Marianas Singing Competition contestant Donna Rose Santiago sings a Lady Gaga hit during the final round of auditions last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Voices of the Marianas Singing Competition contestant Justin Tubera delivers a heartfelt performance during the final round of auditions last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure>

<\/p>\n

Voices of the Marianas Singing Competition contestant Karlymae Kapileo Lizama performs her original song during the final round of auditions last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.<\/p>\n

-CHRYSTAL MARINO
<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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