Matrica Mae “Matmat” Centino, a former Miss Q and A contestant-turned-Tawag Ng Tanghalan resbaker, shared an advice to fellow kontesera-slash-amateuristas who are having thoughts about giving up on their dreams.

According to Matmat, a true amateurista or a person who frequently joins competitions in Pinoy lingo, would never think about giving up on his/her passion.

“Ako naman advice ko sa mga nagcocompete, ako bilang four years old nagsimula hanggang thirteen years old amateurista ako. At coming from somebody like me na halos nasanay na laging nananalo tapos bumalik uli, na ganito. Tama ‘yung sinabi niya na nakakadown. Pero magkakakaiba ang personalidad ng tao. Pero bilang singer kasi, kung ‘yun ang passion mo, wala sa’yo yun eh,” he said.

According to Matmat, he himself has lost in competitions in the past. But that didn’t stop him from joining other contests, which eventually opened opportunities for him.

“Ang gusto mo lang talaga marinig lagi ang boses mo. Oportunidad ‘yun na pinapakinggan ka, ilang minuto ‘yun na marami ang nakakarinig sa’yo. Kasi hindi naman lahat ng tao nagugustuhan - may bumibirit, ganun. At saka ‘yung chance mo na tumayo diyan. Kaya ang sinasabi ko sa lahat nang nagco-compete, kaya nga the word itself, compete ‘di ba? Hindi ka laging mananalo kung hindi mo susubukan,” he added.

He went on: “Hindi ibig sabihin na natalo ka ay talo ka. Ang oportunidad na binigay sa’yo na na-expose ka na ah. Dati kinukuha ako judge lang ng beauty pageant, ngayon kinukuha na ako sa beauty contest.”

Sharing how he feels to be among the lucky ones who were chosen to be part of the newest edition of Tawag Ng Tanghalan, he said: “Mapalad tsaka grinab ko ‘yung opportunity. Hindi ko alam. Gustong-gusto ko lang talaga mag-perform. At tsaka gusto ko ‘yung feeling na nag-cocompete.”

Asked what to expect from Tawag Ng Tanghalan’s Grand Resbak, he said: “TNT Grand Resbak is once again bringing back all ‘yung mga paborito ng madlang people mula Season 1, Season 2, Season 3. T'saka sa Celebrity Champions. ‘Yung mga hindi pinalad pero talagang pinag-uusapan ng social media. Lalong-lalo na ng madlang people na gustong-gusto uli nila makita mag-perform.”