Tan Holdings’ Quest for Singing Idol

Cast your vote for the most popular Singing Idol contestant in this year’s Tan Holdings’ Quest for Singing Idol of the CNMI. Get to know the 12 finalist as they vie for the ultimate title on May 19 at the Saipan Grand Hotel’s Club V.

MARCO “MACOI” AGUPA

Birthday: July 3, 1979

Company: Shirley’s Coffee Shop

Position: Dining Supervisor

Length of Service: 4 1/2 months

Someone you admire: Jesus Christ, my best friend. Someone who is always there to give me guidance.

Memorable experience: When I got my first paycheck for only….(smiles)

Inspiration: My queen of all queens. My hero of all heroes. My “bagoong” on my green mangoes. And my “puto” on my “dinuguan.” My “nanay.”

JERSH C. ANGELES

Birthday: June 2, 1978

Company: Shirley’s Coffee Shop

Position: Assistant Supervisor

Length of Service: 6 months

Someone you admire: I admire so much my father. He’s the most understanding person I’ve ever known.

Memorable experience: I got to watch James Ingram and Patti Austin live.

Inspiration: Gen, my fiancée.

RICARDO BUSTILLOS

Birthday: April 19, 1976

Company: Saipan Grand Hotel

Position: F&B staff

Length of Service: 5 years

Someone you admire: I admire my mom the most.

Memorable experience: Joining the Singing Idol contest

Inspiration: SGH F&B Dept. and the hotel management.

MARCONI CALINDAS

Birthday: July 14, 1975

Company: Saipan Tribune

Position: Reporter

Length of Service: 1 year and 5 months

Someone you admire: Vincent van Gogh, Oprah Winfrey

Memorable experience: Having a chitchat with concert king Martin Nievera on Saipan.

Inspiration: My mom for her resilience and courage.

ROMY DE JESUS

Birthday: May 16

Company: CGMC, IT Department

Position: Technical Support Assistant

Length of Service: 5 years

CELEDONIO “DONNIE” CANLAS

Birthday: March 3, 1972

Company: Saipan Grand Hotel

Position: Commercial cleaner

Length of Service: 6 months

Someone you admire: My family

Memorable experience: When I joined the Taste of the Marianas Competition Apprentice Category.

Inspiration: My newborn baby.

IRWIN JAMISOLA

Birthday: Sept. 3, 1968

Company: Century Hotel

Position: Accountant

Length of Service: 5 years

Someone you admire: I admire Eli Arago. He proves that indigence is not a hindrance to success.

Memorable experience: When I first spoke in a congregation of student leaders

Inspiration: I’m inspired by my own interests as I really love music.

ELENO P. MUNOZ

Birthday: March 20, 1961

Company: Saipan Grand Hotel

Position: Cook

Length of Service: 1 year

Someone you admire: My wife because she is my inspiration in my life.

Memorable experience: When I had a stint of cooking at ABS-CBN in Manila in 1988 with Cabalen.

Inspiration: My wife and kids, even though they are not here with me.

HYDRICK MAGDALITA

Birthday: Aug. 2, 1977

Company: Shirley’s Coffee Shop

Position: Wait staff

Length of Service: 1 year 6 months

JENER “JHEY” A. PINEDA

Birthday: March 23, 1978

Company: Shirley’s Coffee Shop

Position: Wait staff

Length of Service: 4 months

Someone you admire: God, for giving me the talent to sing and the chance to share it to all.

Memorable experience: Joining the Quest for Singing Idol tops it all because it’s a first for me.

Inspiration: God for the source of my strength and for making all this possible, my family especially my parents, my greatest fan, frannie for love, support and courage.

BRAD E. RUSZALA

Birthday: Nov. 9

Company: Saipan Tribune

Position: Sportswriter

Length of Service: over 2 years

Someone you admire: Everyone in the Tan Holdings Idol because just about everyone sings at home, in the car, and at work but only these folks were brave enough to do it in public.

Memorable experience: When my editor Jayvee Vallejera told me that I am the best reporter that he has seen in his 35 years working in the newspaper. J Editor’s Note: Riiiiiiiiiiiight.

Inspiration: My parents because they were able to raise three kids through the good times and the not-so-good times and for giving me the confidence to try anything – like the Tan Holdings Idol.

Freddie Velasquez

Birthday: April 24, 1972

Company: Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan

Position: Cook

Length of Service: 3 years

Someone you admire: My cousin Regine Velasquez because she’s my idol beside she’s a family member.

Memorable experience: This competition because it’s my first and it’s a lot of pressure.

Inspiration: My family of course.