Balahadia Wins Filipino Idol 2009

Eat your heart out, Rihanna. Filipinos in Jersey City have their very own singing sensation: Riana Balahadia.

Balahadia, a 17-year old student from Jersey City, is crowned today as Filipino Idol 2009. She bested 11 other finalists in an entertaining singing contest at Exchange Place (waterfront) in Downtown Jersey City.

Filipino Idol – for the uninformed – is an amateur singing contest similar to the famous American Idol. It serves as the Finale of PAFCOM’s annual Philippine-American Friendship Day festival, a tradition that has been celebrated for 19 years now.

Read the rest of the updated post after the jump…

Photo Credit: Ernie Pena

A huge fan of Broadway and musical theater, Riana performed Barbara Streisand’s “Don’t Rain On My Parade” from the musical Funny Girl.

When asked why the music inspired her: “I wanted to pick a song where I could communicate more effectively with the audience and make them smile…” Riana added that she wanted a different song not normally sung at a competition. “Don’t Rain On My Parade seemed like the perfect song. It has a lot of energy, and I have so much fun doing it everytime.”

Riana – who also starred in a stage play entitled “It’s All In Your Mind” at Long Island University in Brooklyn, NY when she was 14 – drew cheers and applause from the crowd when she finished her performance.  “You have a very bright future.” Dr. Ching Legarda – one of the 3 judges – told Riana referring to her singing talent.

All Filipino Idol finalists received Certificate of Appreciation. The winners received cash prizes.

1st Place – Riana Balahadia (Jersey City)
2nd Place – Jon Michael Eclar (Virginia)
3rd Place – Vanessa Angela Villena (South NJ)

Congratulations, Riana and good luck on your future endeavors!

Judges, Winners, and PAFCOM Chairman Hector Magno (click image to view larger size)

Filipino Idol 2009 Panel of Judges (as sent by PAFCOM):

DENNIS BERNARDO, MD
Dennis is a musical director, accompanist, choir director, and a medical doctor. He became a “certified musical freak” ever since he was “forced” into piano lessons at age 7. From his high school days at Manila Science High, to his college days at the UP and UERM, he got involved into music by joining several glee clubs. Currently, he is the musical director of the Kayumanggi Chorale and the Reflections, an award-winning Christian choir since 1995. He is employed as a staff physician at Bergen Family Practice in Ramsey, NJ.

CHING LEGARDA, MD
Dr. Legarda, who together with husband Dr. Ramon Legarda own Group Ole Production, Inc. since 1990. They bring to the tri-state area quality concerts featuring well-known artists from the Philippines. Ching has been the past president of the UST Medical Association in New York having graduated in UST School of Medicine. During her spare time, she is involved in many cultural and social functions in NY and NJ. She is a proud grand mother to a 4 year old girl named Fiona.

LUIS PEDRON
Luis is an award-winning filmmaker, actor, PR consultant, publisher of entertainment newspaper Planet Philippines NY NJ and Fanclubx.com . He has been a Casting Director for numerous Films, Singing Contests and Dance Contests both in Mainstream and Filipino American Community. He has been involved in several GMA Pinoy TV events in the NY and NJ areas. He is heavily involved in the Entertainment and Socio Civic Organizations in the tristate areas including being a Board Member of Kalusugan Coalition and FAHSI.