Anna Marie Lukban

From Jovit to Cardo: All the PGT grand champions who left us in awe with their world-class talents

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1750910642941From-Jovit-to-Cardo-All-the-PGT-grand-champions-who-left-us-in-awe-with-their-world-class-talents-.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Based on the unbelievable turnout of votes and the rave social media posts that we’ve been seeing ever since the performance night and the grand finals of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pilipinas-got-talent-7"><strong><u>“Pilipinas Got Talent”</u></strong></a> Season 7 last June 21 and June 22, there’s no doubt that the nation has been rejoicing and celebrating<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/6/24/cardong-trumpo-s-act-got-99-5-combined-votes-from-online-voters-and-pgt-season-7-judges-1356"><strong><u> the victory of Cardong Trumpo,</u></strong></a>  who won the hearts of many Filipinos with his astonishing <em>trumpo </em>tricks. </p><p>As we seem to still reel from this historic win, let us look back on the other six acts who captivated us with their mind-blowing skills and amazing talents that paved the way for them to become the grand champions of the previous editions of the reality talent competition via this special feature.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Jovit Baldivino</strong></div><p>From singing in birthday parties and selling <em>siomai</em>, through which he was able to earn extra income, then 16-year-old aspiring singer Jovit Baldivino from Batangas tried his luck in the inaugural season of “PGT” broadcast in 2010. Since he was just a high school student at the time with jobless parents and a father still recovering from tuberculosis, his primary reason for joining the contest was the whopping prize money, which he would use to deliver his family out of poverty.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751018159017PGT-Winners-1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>And he indeed succeeded, for his rendition of “Too Much Love Will Kill You” by Queen astounded the judges and viewers alike, catapulting him to becoming the first-ever grand winner of the show.</p><p>Apart from snagging the coveted title and prize, Jovit went on to become a household name as he appeared in different shows of ABS-CBN and made a few classic hits popular again through his covers that gave many of us major LSS (last song syndrome). In fact, he was even hailed “Promising Recording/Performing Artist of the Year” at the 2011 Box Office Entertainment Awards.</p><p>Sadly, Jovit’s career and life were both short-lived as he died on December 9, 2022, due to a brain aneurysm at the age of 29.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Marcelito Pomoy</strong></div><p>With how he’s able to hit the high notes using both his baritone and mezzo-soprano voices, then 26-year-old falsetto singer Marcelito Pomoy clinched the grand winner title of “PGT” Season 2 in 2011. He discovered his incredible vocal talent while doing poultry work and was able to use it not just to fulfill his dream of becoming a singer but of being reunited with his real family as well.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751018191337PGT-Winners-3.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>After his astonishing version of Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion’s “The Prayer” in the finale, the pride of Surigao del Sur made regular appearances on <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/asap"><strong><u>“ASAP”</u></strong></a> and had guestings in other Kapamilya programs, as well as released his first studio album, “Duet Yourself,” in the very same year that he won. He later on joined “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” in 2019 and finished in 4th place overall.</p><p>We may not see him that much on TV anymore, but Marcelito, a.k.a. the “Male Diva with Dual Voice,” has actually been very busy doing live shows, mostly abroad.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Maasinhon Trio</strong></div><p>Composed of decades-long friends Andrew Sanchez, Licinio Lolo, and Bonifacio Salubre from Southern Leyte, the Maasinhon Trio was the first-ever group act that became the grand winner of the franchise. Prior to joining “PGT” Season 3, they used to perform at weddings, birthdays, and other occasions, all while taking their day jobs.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751018213884PGT-Winners-2.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Their version of the classic OPM song “Nais Ko” by Basil Valdez during the performance night earned praises from the judges, which contributed to their win.</p><p>The musical trio continued to be active following their triumphant stint, with left and right TV and live performances and a self-titled album two years later. They were also tapped to sing the original theme song of the 500th anniversary commemoration of the First Mass in Limasawa, entitled “Huni sa Pasalamat,” which was part of the year-long commemoration of the 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines from 2021 to 2022.</p><p>In 2021, Andrew and Bonifacio made the sad announcement via their official Facebook page that Licinio had passed away without disclosing the cause of his death.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Roel Manlangit</strong></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ko84U-9SAA?si=MgAmt89nfcwUBD_-" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>He may have had a small frame back then, yet the voice and dreams of young aspiring singer Roel Manlangit were so huge, which propelled him to dominate the Season 4 of “PGT” in 2013. The 13-year-old YouTube sensation from Valencia, Bukidnon, used his impressive vocal talent to take home not just the grand winner title but also the grand prize to rebuild their family’s house that was destroyed during Typhoon Pablo the previous year.</p><p>His powerful rendition of Bamboo’s “Noypi” during the finals night apparently captivated the judges and viewers alike, which led to his victory. </p><p>Unlike his predecessors Jovit and Marcelito, who have managed to build their careers in showbiz, Roel didn’t become active in showbiz. But that apparently never stopped him from pursuing his passion for singing as he still continues to perform and post his covers on social media while giving us glimpses of his simple and peaceful life in his hometown.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Power Duo</strong></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9u4uOIOf1Lc?si=k267VolqiDSGzs8x" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>After a slew of singers, the reality talent show hailed its first-ever non-singing grand champion in 2016 through the “PGT” Season 5 contestant Power Duo. Comprised of real-life couple Anjanette and Jervin Minor, the contemporary dance duo were only friends when they joined the competition but began dating for real after their soul-stirring audition that prompted judge Robin Padilla to hit the golden buzzer and send them straight to the semifinals. </p><p>Their poignant interpretation of the OPM ballad “Ikaw Lamang” during the grand finals received not just a standing ovation from the four judges but also 100% of the votes from the judges and viewers.</p><p>The pair has remained active since then as they perform in various TV programs and events. They took part in the production number of Vhong Navarro and Mariel Padilla’s team for Magpasikat 2019, then joined other competitions, such as “America’s Got Talent: All Stars” in 2023, where they finished as finalists.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Kristel de Catalina</strong></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0J0EtiDffcE?si=AUFntC9NfX_25hSc" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>It was another dancer who won in “PGT” Season 6, as spiral pole dancer Kristel de Catalina of Antipolo, Rizal, was named the grand champion. Her smooth and flawless execution of her level-up spiral pole dance routine to Celine Dion’s “All By Myself” was lauded by both the judges and spectators and received 99.67% of combined votes. </p><p>As a single mom, Kristel dedicated her performance to all single mothers like her who found inspiration in her story of strength. She has remained active in the field of pole dancing—both as an instructor and performer—and now also manages a venue rental business. And from singlehandedly taking care of her son, she’s in a blissful relationship with her foreign partner.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Cardong Trumpo</strong></div><div><iframe width="966" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uNRPiFveHBI?si=80-1AFQpln5ZcOI0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><p>Last, but definitely not least, is Ricardo Cadavero, or more popularly known as “Cardong Trumpo,” who absolutely enthralled us with his <em>trumpo</em>, or spinning top, skills. The 55-year-old construction worker and loving patriarch from Dasmariñas, Cavite, didn’t just charm us with the unique talent that he has showcased but also delighted us for reviving a piece of our childhood that many have already forgotten and for introducing it to the younger generations who are, perhaps, unfamiliar with trumpo.</p><p>And all the dedication, hardwork, and artistry that he poured into his performance all paid off in the end, for it was he who was crowned the grand winner of the recently concluded “PGT” Season 7. He didn’t just obtain a standing ovation and resounding cheers from the judges and audiences but also got an almost perfect score from the combined votes. </p><p>Just in case you’ve missed it, Cardo imparted that playing <em>trumpo </em>used to be his way of coping with sadness, especially when he was still a kid. Besides, it was also just him who made the spinning tops that he had used in his performances, with materials coming from construction scraps.</p><p>Apart from being able to fulfill one of his dreams of showcasing his talent on the “PGT” stage, Cardo’s aspiration of moving his family to a safer home since their current residence is situated close to high-voltage power lines is yet to be accomplished.</p><p>Kapamilya, were you able to follow the journeys of these <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/pilipinas-got-talent-7"><strong><u>“Pilipinas Got Talent”</u></strong></a> grand winners during and after their respective competitions?</p>

<p>Let us look back at the grand champions of Pilipinas Got Talent through the years.</p>

Let us look back at the grand champions of Pilipinas Got Talent through the years.