MHS glee club, violinist win ‘Saipan Got Talent’

Marianas High School’s 14-member Rhythm and Harmony Glee Club and violinist Allan Tudela tied to bag the first prize at the pioneering “Saipan Got Talent” competition which highlighted Bridge Capital LLC’s 2011 Christmas party on Saturday night at Pacific Islands Club.

But before the evening ended, all the 13 participating groups and individuals came home as winners and a bit richer than they were before the competition.

“We’re so proud of this number. We have really worked hard for this competition,” MHS Rhythm and Harmony Glee Club president Mariel Ferrer said in an interview after the winners were announced.

Ferrer said the $1,000 prize would go a long way in helping their programs and activities for the promotion of the arts. Ferrer thanked the whole group, Bridge Capital, their choreographer Paul Dujua and advisor Harold Easton.

A five-member panel of judges that included Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos and House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan) also bestowed the second prize on singer John Ronald Darag and the third prize on pianist Cloency Zuriel Chua. The fourth prize went to Ray Lizama and Jonelie Torres for their interpretative dance.

The first place winners each got $1,000; the second place winner, $500; third place, $200; and fourth place, $100.

But Bridge Capital LLC principal and chief executive officer John K. Baldwin later called on the eight other participating groups and individuals and gave them $100 each.

They included J.R. Cadua who played the guitar; 3C’s Kids Legacy which performed modern dance; Project Impact which had a dance number; Azenith Madalo Avila which gave a song number; pianist Ji Hoe Yeom; guitar and violin duo Abel Pellegrino and Jeongwan Kim; “Nestea” with his comedic interpretative dance; and pianist Edward Minami.

Baldwin, in an interview, said young people with creative talents often don’t get the appreciation that they deserve or don’t get appreciated as much as athletes or sports figures. He said Bridge Capital wanted to give these individuals an opportunity to showcase their artistic or creative talents. But Bridge Capital is also a big supporter of sports events and sports themes.

“There’s such a talent on the island. We did not limit it to just the young people but for the most part only young people were interested. Tonight’s performances were absolutely unbelievable. It was more than I ever would have dreamed and I want to encourage the young people,” Baldwin said.

He said Bridge Capital’s “Saipan Got Talent” competition was thought of as a one-time event, but given the success of Saturday night’s showcase of artistic talents, Bridge Capital may hold it annually.

Moreover, Bridge Capital plans to partner with the organizers of the annual Flame Tree Arts Festival next year.

Besides Inos, the other judges were U.S. Office of Insular Affairs field representative Jeff Schorr, Docomo’s Nola Hix, and Hawaiian artist Roland Naauao. Jon Anderson of Guam was the evening’s master of ceremony.

Bridge Capital also raffled off several prizes for employees and guests in between performances. The major prize was a 32-inch flat screen television.