{"id":413219,"date":"2024-09-13T14:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=413219"},"modified":"-0001-11-30T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"-0001-11-29T14:00:00","slug":"9-VOTM-contestants-advance-to-semifinal-round","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/9-VOTM-contestants-advance-to-semifinal-round\/","title":{"rendered":"9 VOTM contestants advance to semifinal round"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nine of the 16 contestants competing in the 2024 Voices of the Marianas advanced to the show\u2019s semifinal round this Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n

After the show\u2019s elimination round last Saturday, contestants Karlymae Lizama, Alyana Rotap, Johanna Mogar, Kaden Manglona, Jason Lizama, Justin Tubera, Lou Guevarra, Donna Rose Santiago, and Franko Deleon Guerrero passed the judges\u2019 criteria with flying colors and made it to the next round.<\/p>\n

The show\u2019s audition and elimination rounds have been at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe, but the semifinals this Saturday and the grand finals are set to be held from 1pm to 5pm at the Crowne Plaza Resort Saipan in Garapan.<\/p>\n

When speaking to the Voices of the Marianas team, they expressed their gratitude for all who have supported the show so far, and the contestants as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cGoing into the semifinals, I am excited for those who still want to be a part of the Voices of the Marianas and its cause,\u201d said VOTM executive director and acting vice president Donovan Castro. \u201cDespite not making it to the semifinal, these contestants still want to support the movement, so that, on its own, makes me overjoyed.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the last elimination round, Saipan Tribune<\/em> spoke to contestant Kaden Manglona after his heartfelt performance of Lewis Capaldi\u2019s Someone You Loved.<\/em><\/p>\n

Evident from his \u201cBiba Luta\u201d cries after each performance, the teen confirms that he proudly hails from Rota, and that representing his home island on stage was amazing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m representing them and I\u2019m proud of it and I feel very accomplished. In a way it\u2019s also something that has a hold on me and brings me into focus.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also shared his gratitude to all supporters and family members who have been cheering him on.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir support really helps me unleash the full potential that I believe I have. I want to thank everyone that supported me. You guys are like my No. 1 fans. So, if anything I got to be thanking you guys. When I get back, maybe I\u2019ll bring McDonald\u2019s, I don\u2019t know. But yeah, Biba Luta!\u201d Manglona said.<\/p>\n

He shared that he heard about the contest during his time on Saipan for the NMTech summer internship, but didn\u2019t know how to join. He eventually met someone involved and suggested he try out. He said that looking back, he is glad to have the opportunity to join the contest.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was just such a good, like, coincidence. I think it was fate that I was supposed to do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Voices of the Marianas shared that tickets for the semifinals are still on sale at $20 for 13 years and older and $10 for 12 to 6 years old. They said that there will be no walk-ins at the show and that to purchase a ticket, folks can contact numbers (670) 783-1541, (670) 285-2507, (670) 287-5135, (670) 588-3127, (670) 287-5862, or email voicesofthemarianas@gmail.com.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The nine contestants that made it through the Voices of the Marianas elimination round stand for a photo with judges and the Voices of the Marianas board last Saturday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.<\/p>\n

-CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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