‘Global Pinoy Singing Idol’ belts it out for charity

Global Pinoy Singing Idol Finals Champion Don Bronto. FACEBOOK

CARSON, California – Musically talented Filipino Americans recently joined local Christian groups in raising funds for poor children’s education in a talent competition billed as “2016 Global Pinoy Singing Idol USA Finals” here.

Couples for Christ (CfC), Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) Child Sponsorship program and ABS-CBN/DZMM sponsored the event at Carson Civic Center. The program provides financial support for elementary, high school, or college education for each sponsored child.

Other benefits include nutrition, health and values programs, school clothing supply and tutorial needs.

WATCH: 2016 Global Pinoy Singing Idol Finals. INQUIRER/Hiyasmin Quijano

“Tonight is specifically for the children; if a child is able to finish school, then they are able to help their family,” said Winnie Lopez-Dee of ANCOP.

FilAm youth Bradner Caballero, Glenn James Reyes, Achilles Peralta and Stephanie Agoncillo hanging out at the event venue. INQUIRER/ Hiyasmin Quijano

Don Bronto won the Global Pinoy Singing Idol USA Finals. “Thank you to [the] ANCOP Tampa chapter for believing in me to represent Tampa. The support was overwhelming from the entire Tampa chapter and from friends and family,” he posted on his Facebook page.

The ten contestants who made it to the final round were Zane Boado, Don Bronto, Stacey Cacal, Alex Callado, Annie Fano, Remilie King, Jennifer Mauricio, John Paul Puno, Choleo Reyes and Katz Trinidad.

Guests included Jaya Ramsey, Kaye Abad, Leslie Ann Picazo, Jona Peralta, Alesja Morales and Shane Ericks.

“I want to congratulate ABS-CBN, DZMM, CfC and ANCOP for this awesome and successful event today, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it!” said celebrity event host Anjanette Abayari.

Jaya Ramsey stated, “Singing is a very strong tool, first of all; when you have it, it is really something that you have to share. It is a God-given talent.”

Global Pinoy Singing Idol group performance. INQUIRER/Hiyasmin Quijano

“It’s very noble,” said Ramsey of the use of singing to uplift the poor. “It’s a great way to help others, especially the poor, building homes for them and putting them in school.”

While telling contestants to give their best, Kaye Abad also added humor to the occasion by saying, “Just enjoy, relax and watch a movie!”

“It hits home, sharing their talents, and for a good reason, too; it’s really amazing!” stated FilAm youth Bradner Caballero, who attended the event with his group of friends.

Jay Pichay, a CfC member since 2013, said, “My thing is just to help people and to let a lot of people know we have events to raise funds.”