CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Acting Governor Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda recognized the victory of four Kapampangan performers after successfully bagging medals in various singing categories in the 23rd World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) held at the Long Beach, California, United States of America on July 12 to 21, 2019.
The four Kapampangan performers, who brought honor to the country and to the province, were among the hundreds of delegates of the Philippine team that bagged almost 200 medals which is a record-breaker in the said prestigious event.
They were Mark Joeghie Catacutan, Raymond Kevin Vibar, Marielle Charlize Montenegro, and Monica Francesca Manaloto.
Catacutan from this city was commended for earning all the gold medals of every category he joined such as Group Production, Vocal Solo for Pop, Gospel and Soul or RNB category, and he was also awarded with a Semi-Finalist medal.
“Very thankful ako and honored, aside from representing the Philippines, after winning in the international stage, marami na ang mga kumuha sa akin na mga events, mga interviews and guestings, unlike before. Also, yung self-worth ko ay tumaas din,” said Catacutan, who was also chosen to be the WCOPA ambassador of Pampanga.
Likewise, Vibar, a 26-year old performer from Sto. Tomas, also gained numerous awards such as two gold medals for Group Production and Latin category, two silver medals for Open and Broadway, one bronze medal for Opera category, and a Plaque Division Champion.
Montenegro, a 13-year old artist from Angeles City, won two gold medals for Group Production and Original Composition, one semi-finalist medal, two silver medals for Broadway and Gospel categories, one bronze medal for Contemporary category, and a Plaque Division Champion.
Manaloto from Angeles City was a silver-medalist of Vocal with Self-Accompaniment category.
According to Vibar, they underwent training for almost two months in Okada, Manila together with their mentor Jed Madela, who was the Grand Champion Performer of the World in the same event in 2005.
Furthermore, the WCOPA is an international competition being held annually at the “Hollywood” area, entertainment capital of the world, where aspiring performers and entertainers such as singers, instrumentalists, dancers, variety artists, actors, and models from the different parts of the world are gathered to compete before judges from the entertainment industry.
This was gleaned during the courtesy call of the multi-medal awardees with Acting Governor Nanay Pineda, together with Sangguniang Bayan members, yesterday here.