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Pinoy singers dominate international singing tilt

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Rose Eclarinal, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/overseas/03/07/singers.jpg"/><figcaption>Marlon Macabaya and Denise Melanie Du Lagrosa dominated London&#x27;s prestigious international performing arts festival and competition.</figcaption></figure></div>LONDON - Two Filipino singers dominated the prestigious Stars of the Albion Grand Prix 2019, an international performing arts festival and competition. Marlon Macabaya, 40, nabbed the first grand prix prize, while Denise Melanie Du Lagrosa, 35, placed second.Macabaya’s win marks the Philippines’ back-to-back victory in the competition. Last year, Rachel Gabreza of the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) was hailed as the Stars of Albion Grand Prix 2018 winner.For the competition, which consists of two rounds, Macabaya sang “The Prayer” and “Somewhere,” which galvanized his win during the final Gala concert of winners held at the Rudolf Steiner Theatre.“Until now, di pa nagsi-sink in kasi I have been out of singing for 14 years. So nag-try lang uli,” said Macabaya, who described his return in singing as a sweet accidental comeback. “Naging inspirasyon ko rin na dala dala ko ang bansang Pilipinas, and buong Pinoy na pagdating ko dito, pag-igihan ko ang laban ko,” he added. <div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/overseas/03/07/macabaya.jpg"/><figcaption>Marlon Macabaya’s win marks the Philippines’ back-to-back victory in the competition.</figcaption></figure></div>He pursued both graduate and post-graduate degrees and he was already focusing on developing a family resort in Isabela. But while he was in Manila, he got wind of the auditions for the international competition. He tried and got a “call back” from Vega Entertainment Productions. After two months of intensive training and preparation, he was ready to take on the challenge. “Nung una, madami akong hesitation kasi after 14 years of not singing, kala ko wala na akong space sa music industry,” said Macabaya. But he is convinced God has his own plans.“I want to thank Lord Almighty, kasi siya naman talaga ang nagdi-direct ng buhay natin, my family and friends and of course Vega Productions and my mentors,“ said Macabaya.Macabaya and Lagrosa are both seasoned performing artists in the Philippines. Macabaya, who hails from Malaybalay, Bukidnon, was a former recording artist under the screen name, Enrique Marcos; while Lagrosa, who is from Antipolo, Rizal, has earned accolades for various acclaimed performances.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2019/overseas/03/07/lagrosa.jpg"/><figcaption>Denise Melanie Du Lagrosa, who is from Antipolo, Rizal, placed second in London&#x27;s Stars of the Albion Grand Prix 2019.</figcaption></figure></div>Lagrosa said she had mixed emotions when she won. “For me life has a way of propelling us to greatness. Coming from a long hiatus and from certain (musical) traditions, I was able to conquer my fears and go out of my comfort zones and I was able to journey with other artists, other human beings to bring out the best,” she said. “The songs are for my father, the trophy for the Filipino people and to God and to whatever force that propelled us to the competition,” said Lagrosa. The Philippine representatives are part of the Euro Talent Festival. They defeated 45 other singers, 13 instrumentalists, and 8 theatre and dance groups in the competition’s final round. This year’s contestants came from 23 countries, including United Kingdom, China, Russia, USA, Israel, Malta, Italy, Greece, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, among others. Stars of the Albion is an annual gathering of extraordinarily talented musicians, dancers and artists from around the world. The competition is organized and promoted by Musica Nova, the International Academy of Music, a leading bilingual establishment in London to offer music education to children and adults.

LONDON - Two Filipino singers dominated the prestigious Stars of the Albion Grand Prix 2019, an international performing arts festival and competition.

LONDON - Two Filipino singers dominated the prestigious Stars of the Albion Grand Prix 2019, an international performing arts festival and competition.

Pinoy singers dominate international singing tilt

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Pinoy singers dominate international singing tilt

Rose Eclarinal,

ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

Published Mar 08, 2019 02:05 AM PHT

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Stars of the Albion 2019

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