First Time.

As some of you may know, I've been joining singing contests since late 2011 and with God's grace, I've managed to bag a couple of runner-up spots but I've never had a WIN. Well, that changed a couple of days ago when I won Dream Catchers Vision's LOKAL RHYTHM: The Search For The Next PINOY ONLINE SENSATION!

A little background: I came across one of my Facebook contact's post about joining this certain contest in Dream Catchers Vision's website and I got a lil curious so checked out the mechanics and found out that the contest is open to all Filipinos aspiring to make it big in the music scene. Dream Catchers is a Singapore-based talent showcase platform with global ambitions. It is an online community for musicians/artists/performers which regularly holds contests for registered users. Aside from the amazing platform of hosting the users' videos on their website, Dream Catchers Vision awards winners of their contests with cash prizes! 

So, anyway, I signed up, uploaded my video, and prayed to God (seriously) that my video gets chosen. I wasn't even praying for the top prize. I guess that's what happens when you've been a runner-up all your life. Ha ha! Kidding aside, I wasn't really expecting anything, so imagine my surprise when I received an e-mail from none other than the CEO and Founder of Dream Catchers Vision herself, Miss Shalima Motial saying this:

This couldn't have come up in a better time. I'm really grateful to all the judges and to everyone who voted for my video! I seriously won't forget this because this is my first actual win! And with $500 to boot! But more than the cash prize, I'm just really thankful that there are people who actually appreciate what I do and there are those who are overly supportive of my music. Thank you guys, from the bottom of my heart! :)

Really cool to see my video on the number 1 spot in their website! Argh! By the way, I uploaded my cover of One Direction's "More Than This" as my entry for Lokal Rhythm. Who knew a 1D song can win me $500? Ha ha! Thanks to Sir Caio Cadiz of 10-0-71 Digital Post for helping me out with the track! Watch the video below :)

Again, thanks to everyone behind Dream Catcher Vision's Lokal Rhythm and to everyone who voted for my video! I encourage everyone to visit Dream Catchers Vision's website and register so y'all could join their contests, too! Such a wonderful community of talented people! See you there, okay? :)

Sound Check.

After months of lusting thinking of getting a condenser microphone, I finally emptied out my wallet and got myself a SAMSON C01U. It's one of those USB microphones and it's pretty cheap but it's been getting a lot of great reviews since 2009! Yup. the mic's been around for almost four years and yet it is still touted as one of the best USB microphones out there today. I initially wanted to get an XLR type of mic but then it'd mean that I'd have to get a pre-amp/mixer as well and that it'd take more time of studying and tinkering with it and I don't have the luxury of time especially in the coming months since I'm finally graduating from the University and y'all know how busy graduating students are. Or not. Turns out even USB mics need an ample amount of time, too. Sound quality's really good and it even captures the sounds from 25 feet away. Eavesdropping at its finest. Anyway, I'm still "breaking in" to it plus I've been studying and practicing mixing and mastering for over a week now and so far, so good. I think. Ha ha. I'll be uploading a new cover hopefully next week so y'all better check out my YouTube channel for that.

As much as I'm lovin' the SAMSON C01U, I know I have to upgrade to an XLR mic soon and soundproof my room if I really want to get serious with this music-making stuff. And dead serious I am, so alam na kung saan mapupunta ang ipon and TF. Ha ha! Leaving y'all with a sexy photo of my mic. Should I give it a name?

Los Baños Idol 2012 Auditions.

Ever since I got eliminated from The X Factor Philippines, I've been blessed with a number of opportunities which gave me the chance to showcase my, uhm, singing ability, if you may. Ha ha. I had the chance to perform in The Indie Culture's INDIE OVERDRIVE 2 ("Sure Thing" and "Ulit-ulitan"), several private events, and in the UPLB CAS Freshman Night 2012 ("I'm Going Down" and "Use Somebody"). And recently, like last Saturday recently, I got the chance to perform in Robinsons Town Mall Los Baños when I auditioned for Los Baños Idol, a singing contest which is one of the activities for the upcoming Bañamos Festival.

My stint on The X Factor Philippines fueled my desire to make it as a singer and I knew then that it won't be easy. I also knew then that for me to get "noticed" and get someone interested to "manage" me, I have to get myself out there. More exposure, the better. A number of people actually discouraged me from trying out for LB Idol, for the sole reason that it is not a "big" contest. But every time they tell me off, I'd always say that for me, there are no big or small opportunities; what we make of the opportunities given to us make it big or small. So yeah. I registered a week before the auditions and I was set to perform a ballad for the screening. A few days before the event, a good friend of mine reminded me that I should place my style out there. That I shouldn't conform to the traditional "biritero" singers in singing contests. That's why I changed my piece and chose a song that can showcase my style but still have highlights for my voice. 

I arrived late for the auditions which resulted to me waiting for around four hours before going on stage. No big though, since I enjoyed watching the other aspirants. It's amazing how many talented singers Elbi has! When it was my turn, I didn't feel any jitters at all. One thing's for sure, I think I'm growing more and more comfortable on stage. I sang my piece and got very good reaction from the audience, and a very good comment from one of the judges. They'll be picking 50 singers which they'll put through to the next round. As of the moment, there's still no announcement so I'm still praying that what I did last Saturday is enough for me to get one of the 50 spots. I'll be posting updates over at CHRIS BELISON so y'all better check that page out and like it and share it if it ain't asking too much! :)

For now, I leave you with the video of my performance last Saturday!