‘Singing V’ contest draws karaoke fans to Club V

Tuesday is no longer just another regular day for members of the Filipino community, with the “Singing V at Club V” competition at the Saipan Grand Hotel now a habit, an event to look forward to every Tuesday night.

A local take on the popular TFC program “Singing Bee,” weekly contestants compete to guess the correct lyrics to popular songs to take home gift certificates, cash prizes, San Miguel Beer memorabilia, and bragging rights.

Last week, Michelle Villarasa held her own against a field of six to emerge again as the week’s champion. Villarasa, of R&V Construction, blew away the competition by correctly singing four lines of the lyrics to an Evanescence song. It was pure bonus that she also is a powerful singer, her confident soprano soaring over the hubbub of voices inside Club V.

Later, her prizes clutched in her hand, Villarasa said she was nervous but forced herself to relax so she’d remember the lyrics to the songs. The technique apparently worked, as this was the second straight week for Villarasa to walk off with the grand prize.

Oscar Yema, Saipan Grand’s events manager, said that contestants do not have to sing the lyrics to win. “Similar to the TV competition, the 7th Side Band will sing part of the song and the contestants will have to provide the missing lyrics. You can sing it but you may also just say it. If you guess the lyrics correctly, you win.”

In last Tuesday’s edition, six contestants first had to guess one line of a song. Only four made it to the second round, where they had to guess two lines. The third round featured the top two contestants, and each had to guess three lines of a song. The eventual winner then had a face-off with Villarasa, the defending champion, where they had to guess—or sing—four lines of the lyrics of a song.

It was a fast-paced contest, with Yema and cohosts DJ RV and DJ Zyra of KWAW radio station chivvying the contestants along to ensure there will be no lull during the allotted 45 minutes for the competition.

To join the contest is easy enough. SaipanCell subscribers need only text their names to 25828 (CLUBV) to become a competitor. Non-SaipanCell subscribers may still join by just showing up at Club V on Tuesday night and expressing one’s intention to join the contest at the gate so your name will be included on the list.

Besides Villarasa, past winners of the competition were Alex of Viralicci, who lasted one week, and Tina of SmartStart, who made it through three weeks. Yema said there are still lots of chances to win as Club V plans to hold a total of 13 episodes of the contest.

Yema said all contestants accumulate prizes each week and the eventual champion after 13 episodes will have amassed a significant amount of in-kind and cash prizes.

“All contestants, even those who don’t win, will each receive a $10 SaipanCell call card. There are also San Miguel Beer giveaways, free hotel rooms, and lunch buffets at the Aoi Restaurant of Saipan Grand Hotel,” said Yema. The top two winners each week will also get $100 worth of gift certificates from the Macatangay DermHealth Clinic.

During the face off itself between the top winner and the defending champion, a correct guess is equivalent to a $20 cash prize, for a maximum of five.

What’s more, in two week’s time, Shell Marianas will be getting in on the act, with all weekly contestants getting a $10 gas card, according to Yema.

This means anyone joining the competition is already assured of a $10 SaipanCell call card and a $10 Shell gas card.

“Come to Club V on Tuesday night and join the fun. This is the kind of event that you and your friends would enjoy, even if only on a dare. Even if you don’t win, you’re already assured of bringing home some prizes,” urged Yema.

Singing V at Club V is sponsored by San Miguel Beer, SaipanCell, Macatangay Dermhealth Clinic, KWAW, and Saipan Grand Hotel.[B][I] (Saipan Tribune)[/I][/B]