Whenever and wherever you place your hand on and sift through the boob tube of today, there never fails to be an ongoing local talent show. From noontime shows to prime time reality searches, the small screen has become the presenter of the next big thing.
So while we more often than not shy away from the confused (GMA’s Protégé is an “artista search” concentrating on singing and dancing), pretentious (ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Big Brother masquerades as a hidden camera show), and pitiful (TV5’s Artista Academy just does not have a clue) so-called talents on TV, we at Juice.ph present you with some of the hidden gems that have been mined, without much ballyhooed exposure.
The Non-singing Viral Star: Bryson Andres
The fears that the television that is being replaced by the internet are the same fears of newspapers that they are being replaced by television. But hey, both are still here, albeit being witnesses as well to the limitless power of new media. Fifteen minutes of fame has now been extended – both in time and space.
Take Youtube sensation Bryson Andres for example. After claiming renown by uploading his musical masterpieces – violin renditions of popular songs utilizing loops and layers – the Filipino-American has climbed aboard Resorts World Manila to be part of its world-class performers.
With his talent, we will not bet against him besting his two million online hits with actual views.
The New Curtain Raiser: Dondi Ong
Lea Salonga broke the proverbial glass door for Filipinos in the global stage of theater. So when Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Phantom of the Opera needed a new tenor to join the ensemble, they simply had to take a Filipino into consideration – and not because the international touring show is currently presenting in Manila.
Dondi Ong was invited to audition, and was given about 15 minutes to wow the panel like everyone else. After his piece, however, musical supervisor Guy Simpson requested a repeat, only this time to be recorded. And for us who do not know better, such videos are not for archiving purposes; being recorded while auditioning is a testament to talent – talent needing to be caught on tape because of its awesomeness.
And so, Dondi Ong is now a tenor in the ensemble of the longest-running musical Broadway musical. Save him a seat beside you, Lea.
The Crusader for the Philippine Environment: Teardrop
The natural riches of the Philippines are legendary. Yes, you and I are proud owners of lands and waters of unbelievable beauty. So when we are flooded with now ubiquitous messages of “Protect the Environment,” there is tangible reason to take heed.
Good thing Filipino genius has broken through again and has granted us a helpful aid in protecting the environment. A team of UP and Mapua scientists and engineers have pioneered the most affordable yet still efficient equipment in assessing coral reefs.
“Teardrop” is hailed as an alternative to current technologies and a cumulative effort that enjoins ordinary citizens. For only $380 or PhP16,000, and with the help of local communities and governments and non-government organizations, regular monitoring of coral reefs and proactive enforcement of environmental laws has now become more concrete.
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For easier access to the latest happenings and trending topics in the Metro, download the free Juice.ph Mobile App for iPhone and Android now!
The Answer to Soaring Oil Prices: Benham Rise
When you think about it, the only constant along with Filipino awesomeness are the continuous oil hikes. The number of times oil companies have moved to make themselves richer seems to go more than the number of tweets your kulang sa pansin friend has sent out – and by a long margin at that.
Such is what makes Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje’s proclamation all the more important: “We own Benham Rise now.” The statement was made after the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea formally recognized the Philippines’ claim to the allegedly natural gas-rich undersea region off Isabela.
What’s more, the Benham Rise is rising slowly to the surface of the Pacific Ocean. Hence, in about a million years, it can be inhabited by Filipinos. That is more hopeful than a resolution to the dispute on Spratlys, Scarborough, or Panatag anyway.
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Want to be famous? Why not make a viral video of your own --- here are some ideas on how to become the next YouTube sensation!
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Juice Recommends:
Want to be famous? Why not make a viral video of your own --- here are some ideas on how to become the next YouTube sensation!
Saab Magalona reminds everyone to look past physical beauty in her entry "How to Make It in the Philippines".
