“Tawag ng Tanghalan’s” third year is proving to be the singing tilt’s most competitive yet as it named its second-ever TNT Record Holder after John Mark Saga clinched his tenth consecutive daily win on Wednesday (December 5) on “It’s Showtime.”
John Mark, the first singer from Luzon to achieve the remarkable feat, is also the second “Tawag ng Tanghalan” contender to become a TNT Record Holder after Mindanao’s Elaine Duran gained the title in September this year – the first in the three-year history of the country’s biggest singing competition.
As the only two TNT Record Holders so far, Elaine and John Mark have already sparked excitement among viewers, who are anticipating their potential face-off in the grand finals.
Elaine already qualified for the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Year 3 grand finals, while John Mark is set to participate in the current season’s second semifinals.
In his last performance as a defending champion, John Mark performed Yeng Constantino’s hit song “Ikaw,” which earned him a standing ovation and a score of 97% from the hurados.
Like Elaine, John Mark was given the chance to select one from the three “treasures” offered exclusively to TNT Record Holders. In the end, he chose the additional P50,000 cash prize, over having the opportunity to record a single under TNT Records and the special power to choose the songs of his co-contenders in the semifinals. John Mark brought home a total of P310,000.
John Mark’s victory is just one of the many stories of hope, inspiration, and perseverance featured every day in “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” A musical director and vocal coach from Cavite, he re-entered the competition after failing to win in the second season’s Quarter 1 semifinals.
Don’t miss the vocal showdown in “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167). For the program’s past episodes, log in to iWant or on skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.