13th World Championships Of Performing Arts Unfolded (by: mart ilagan)

The 13th WCOPA (an Olympic style for singers, actors, models, dancers, variety acts and instrumentalists) held at Westin Bonaventure Hotel 404 South Figueroa, Hollywood, California, USA last July 11-19 2009 end up with a successful participation of the 2 Singaporean delegates by the name of Sean Wong (www.sean.sg and Imran Ajmain (www.imranajmain.com).
Headed by Mart Ilagan (http://www.musicavenue.com.sg) the National Director who screened-out and audition talents in Singapore, the competition ended up with Singapore grabbed 5 gold and 3 bronze medals with other special awards such as Industrial award and Golden plaque recognizing the talent of Sean Wong in dramatic acting.

Day 1, Sat: Registration and welcoming guests in the Hotel, this include both hands printing with paints in the paper wall as a sign of unity among nations, meeting new friends and mingling with other nationalities.

Day 2 Sun: Parade of nations wearing national costumes with a lot of loud cheering. After the parade, all countries gathered in the stage for a pre-show with a welcome address from its founder, Mr. Griff O’neil. The pre-show presented by 4 previous champions of which 3 champions came from the Philippines (Jed Madela, Cercado sisters and Catherine Loria) together with the Jamaican champion last year, Andrew Clark.
Day 3 Mon: Proper competition started with Junior Category in the morning and Senior Category where Imran Ajmain competed on his age bracket category (25 – 29 yrs old) for 4 events on vocal (Broadway, Pop, RnB and Original).

Day 4 Tue: Continuation of the competition for all events in modeling, singing, acting and instrumental. Sean Wong competed with his age bracket (30 above) where he competed both in vocal and in acting category.

Day 5 Wed: Semi-finalists announced where Sean Wong selected to compete in vocal Broadway and in dramatic acting with mixed ages for the senior (16-30 above).

Day 6 Thu: Announced the Grand Finalists and the rehearsal was executed.

Day 7 Fri: The Grand final night for both Junior and Senior where 20 jurors from different entertainment industries in Hollywood seated to select the best of the best in the world in the performing arts and to single-out the Grand Champion Performer of the World for Junior and Senior Grand Finalists.
After showcasing the finalists talent, the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the world went to Philippines (vocal) and the Senior Grand Champion Performer of the World went to Australia (instrumental). The criteria of selecting the grand champion are thru the finalist’s marketability and entertainment value.

Day 8 Sat: Awarding of medals for a single or group performers who excel in their age bracket category. Sean Wong bagged 3 gold medals in vocal for Broadway, Pop and World and 1 gold medal for his acting category. He also received a bronze medal for vocal Rock and received and Industrial Award for having selected by the judges with a number of ‘go-sees’ and a golden plaque for his superb delivery on his dramatic acting on the semi-final round. On the other hand, Imran Ajmain grabbed a gold medal for his original composition ‘Jikah Engkau Pergi’ and 2 bronze medals for his vocal event on Broadway and Pop category.
WCOPA organizer threw a big party at night to congratulate all the winners and to tighten the friendship and camaraderie of all delegates among nations.

It’s great event with full of excitement and unforgettable moments which open many doors for opportunity to learn more, to be inspired and to continue cultivating once dream to become successful someday.

From over 75,000 who auditioned around the world and over 40 countries participating this year 2009, here is the final medal tally for the 13th edition of WCOPA:


WCOPA 2009 Medal Tally




COUNTRY G S B T
United States 73 81 87 241
Ireland 66 86 68 220
South Africa 48 52 41 141
Canada 36 71 45 152
Russia 30 19 8 57
Malaysia 29 16 4 49
Philippines 25 25 9 59
Australia 19 18 11 48
Sweden 10 4 5 19
Trinidad and Tobago 9 11 6 26
Ukraine 7 3 7 17
Singapore 5 0 3 8
Moldova 4 4 2 10
New Zealand 3 17 10 30
Haiti 3 9 8 20
Saudi Arabia 2 1 1 4
Kazakhstan 1 6 1 8
Greece 1 3 0 4
Krygyztan 1 0 0 1
Czech Republic 0 3 4 7


2009 WCOPA GRAND WORLD CHAMPIONS
2009 SENIOR GRAND CHAMPION PERFORMER OF THE WORLDJoe Robinson (Instrumentalist - Australia)
2009 JUNIOR GRAND CHAMPION PERFORMER OF THE WORLDRhap Salazar (Vocal - Philippines)

CHAMPIONS PER CATEGORY
Juniors
Vocal Group:The Young Voices of Negros ( Philippines)
Dance:
Alex Castillo (United States)
Female Model:Kelly Hammond (South Africa)
Male Model:Mykyta Layakh (Ukraine)
Dance Group:Performance Ballet “Exiton” (Russia)
Actor:Cale Moon (United States)
Vocal:Rhap Salazar (Philippines)
Instrumental:Navid Babwah (Trinidad & Tobago)
Seniors
Vocal Group:Realta (Ireland)
Dance:Roison Timoney (Ireland)
Variety:Iouno Babaev (Australia)
Female Model:Petronella Elizabeth (South Africa)
Male Model:Andreas Tano (Sweden)
Dance Group:Aristana (Malaysia)
Actor:Darragh Kelliher (Ireland)
Vocal:Kimverlie Molina (Saudi Arabia)Instrumental:Joe Robinson (Australia)