STI Talent Search 2022 Returns with a Bang

January 25, 2023

More than two years since the COVID-19 pandemic took a major hit all over the globe, the much-anticipated STI Talent Search 2022 grand national finals sprung back to life on January 13, 2023.

Held simultaneously at Star City and Aliw Theater in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex in Pasay City, the event proved to be successful after approximately 8,000 STIers from various campuses nationwide gathered to watch the Talent Search local and cluster stage winners engage in an all-out talent competition.

STIers from various campuses flock to the Star City grounds to catch their fellow students displaying their unique talents.

SOARING NIGHTINGALES (Singing Idol)

Thousands of attendees were serenaded by the Singing Idol contestants with their own renditions of hit local songs at the Star City grounds.

With industry experts present to judge the contest, deciding on the winner was not a walk in the park; but it had to be done.

Gomez Lee Marcelino, a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) freshman from STI College Tanauan brought home the 2^nd runner-up award with his emotional and crystalline cover of Gary Valenciano’s 2003 ballad hit ‘Kailangan Kita’.

STI College Koronadal’s 3^rd year Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) student June Kathryn Dedase, on the other hand, was awarded the 1^st runner-up trophy with her powerful and hair-raising rendition of ‘Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo’ by OPM legendary band Yano.

However, despite the tenacity of each contestant, there can only be one crowned winner; and this year’s Singing Idol championship title went to STI College Fairview Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BACOMM) junior Piolo Valdez with his electrifying and thrilling version of ‘Sino ang Baliw’ by OPM icon Kuh Ledesma.

“Being announced as the national winner was so overwhelming,” said Valdez in a phone interview. “I never expected to win this competition, my competitors’ voices were already so powerful during the rehearsals,” he added.

For the 3^rd year Bachelor of Arts in Communication (BACOMM) student, however, his winning factor was rooted from his passion for exploring classical songs, a genre he had been in love with ever since he started singing.

“When I heard that song (Sino ang Baliw), I took it into heart and made it a habit to practice it with my own version,” he said. “I really invest in classical songs more than the modern ones and I think that’s what made my performance special,” he added.

Singing Idol contestants made sure to leave a mark in everyone’s ears after hair-raising performances.

Rewatch the Singing Idol contest through our Facebook livestream link below:
https://www.facebook.com/sti.edu/videos/851129065994815/

ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC (Battle of the Bands)

Shortly after the Singing Idol event, the rock stars took over the stage. Much like the prior contest, the performers captured everyone with their respective editions of songs that have taken the world by storm.

Talent Search mainstay and 2019 finalist Notepad Band of STI College Balayan secured a spot in the podium after their fast-paced and energetic version of Estudyante Blues by another OPM icon Freddie Aguilar. The bunch of Mikhael Dennise Malabanan, Jed Cyril Suan, Rafael Kylun Decipeda, and Joeleo Alpred Castillo took home the 2^nd runner-up trophy.

Meanwhile, the 2018 finalist from STI College Balagtas Barikan Band displayed a passionate and nationalistic performance of ‘Tayo’y mga Pinoy’ by late renowned songwriter Heber Bartolome. The band, composed of Alecxandra Dymphna Pineda, Crissav Lain Aguilos, Jomarie Bañares, and Carl Gabriel De Guzman bagged the 1^st runner-up trophy afterwards.

In the end, the championship went to The Alia Rebuild from STI College Lucena. The four-piece band, composed of Justine Glosel Bibandor, Albert Jerome Cejane, Kier Kenneth Pantua, Alia Burilla, brought home the bacon after their earthshaking rendition of Talata’s Balintataw.

STI rockstars conquered the stage and treated the crowd with their electrifying riffs.

Rewatch the Battle of the Bands through our Facebook livestream the link below:
https://www.facebook.com/sti.edu/videos/674551581034084/

BATTLE FOR DANCE DOMINION (Hataw Sayaw)

Over at the Aliw Theater, beat groovers electrocuted the stage during the Hataw Sayaw competition. Eight dance crews quenched the crowd's thirst for action after a fierce conquest for the title.

STI College Calamba’s All Out dance crew was awarded the 2^nd runner-up title. Crew members Krishelle Anne Roa, Ralph Joacquin Banzuela, Michaela May Vito, John Orlie Vergara, Bernard Anilov Alvarez, and Marie Bernadette Maala shimmered in their white-and-red outfits while giving their 100% on the stage.

Meanwhile, Project Atmos of STI College Ormoc shook the stage in their all-gray outfits and in-sync dance moves; handing group of Nim Rou Fuertes, Jermaine Tricia Sabando, Jan Andrae Gindoy, Allan Lauron, and Ricky Azhi Lastra the 1^st runner-up award.

The Hataw Sayaw title, in the end, went to Lil Giants of STI West Negros University. In matching mosaic outfits, the sextet of John Lenon Arcedas, Fermund Jake Gado, Mark Lorence Morales, Christian Buerom, Charles Noel Gumban, and Christian Gabales went big with their jaw-dropping stunts.

Hataw Sayaw contestants became the “aliw” in the Aliw Theater with their stunts and routines.

Rewatch the Hataw Sayaw competition through our YouTube livestream link below:
STI Talent Search 2022- Hataw Sayaw

STARS OF THE MANILA SKY (Mr. and Ms. STI)

After hours of singing and dancing, Talent Search’s main event, the search for the Mr. and Ms. STI 2022, rolled in. Sixteen ladies and gentlemen representing various STI campuses displayed the best version of themselves to bring home the coveted Mr. and Ms. STI crowns.

Mr. and Ms. STI candidates during the opening number of the pageant.

Garnering the most engagements in social media, the 2022 Social Media Stars went to the pair of April Boy Fajardo of STI College Davao and Samantha Rascal of STI College Ortigas-Cainta. For capturing both the judges’ and audience’s eyes with their captivating smiles, STI College Santa Rosa’s Rizmel Cabigao and STI College Iligan’s Pamela Taypan brought home the Most Photogenic awards.

The Best in Formal Wear and Evening Gown awards, on the other hand, were snatched again by Cabigao and Suchi Kaye Lim of STI College Balayan respectively. The pair afterwards made another testament that they are the rightful owners of the crowns after winning the Best in Swimwear awards.

For the last special award, Cabigao again proved to be the best in dress-down clothes after taking home the Best in Casual Wear award with STI College Baliuag’s Alliyah Saranza.

Special Awards winners shone the brightest in different outfits.

Event sponsors also handed the candidates with special awards of their own.

The Mr. and Ms. ZenZest Choice Award went to the Social Media Stars winners Fajardo and Rascal. The dashing lass from Ortigas-Cainta then took home the Aura Beauty and Wellness Choice Award together with Dayne Calang of STI College Sta. Maria.

That’s not all for Rascal as she also snatched the REJ Diamond Laboratory Choice Award with fellow STI College Ortigas-Cainta candidate Revino Raymundo and the HonestGlow Choice Award with STI College Balagtas’ John Wallen Bantigue to bring home a year worth of supply of HonestGlow facial gift packs.

Best in Casual Wear winners Cabigao and Saranza then took home the Mr. and Ms. DermaWorld Choice Award. The pair received 50,000 worth of DermaWorld services and instantly became brand ambassador and ambassadress.

Corporate Awards winners also brought home gift packs courtesy of Talent Search 2022 sponsors.

Prior to the announcement of the winners, the audience and candidates alike were treated to an intermission number from GMA Network artist Paul Salas

Paul Salas entertained the audience with performances of Backstreet Boys’ hit songs.

With not just their beauty but also their brains in action, five gents and ladies were announced as part of the Top 5. Enumerated below are the winners for each gender category.

MR. STI 2022

PLACE	NAME	CAMPUS
4^th Runner-up	Raven Niñon	STI College Balayan
3^rd Runner-up	John Wallen Bantigue	STI College Balagtas
2^nd Runner-up	Bob Ivan Las	STI College Lipa
1^st Runner-up	Rizmel Cabigao	STI College Santa Rosa
Mr. STI 2022	Juma Matar Del Mundo	STI College Tanay

MS. STI 2022

PLACE	NAME	CAMPUS
4^th Runner-up	Pamela Taypan	STI College Iligan
3^rd Runner-up	Alliyah Saranza	STI College Baliuag
2^nd Runner-up	Christine Framil	STI College Tarlac
1^st Runner-up	Suchi Kaye Lim	STI College Balayan
Ms. STI 2022	Samantha Rascal	STI College Ortigas-Cainta

“Never in my life have I imagined that I will win this crown,” said Juma Matar Del Mundo, the Mr. STI 2022 victor from STI College Tanay.

Mr. STI 2022 Juma Matar Del Mundo of STI College Tanay

Ms. STI 2022 Samantha Rascal of STI College Ortigas-Cainta

Mr. and Ms. STI 2022 Top 5 Winners

“This event was very inspirational for STIers to bring out the best in each and every one of them,” said the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) freshman. “Back then I have always wanted to join pageants and Talent Search became my avenue to do just that, to trust in myself, and be the best that I can be,” he added.

Rewatch the Mr. and Ms. STI through our YouTube livestream link below:
STI Talent Search 2022- Mr. and Ms. STI

An annual event for students to display their hidden talents, STI Talent Search is a testament that the institution gives importance to extra-curricular activities as much as they value academics.

Such a traditional event serves as a medium for STIers nationwide to build confidence and the right character, and to be the best version of themselves. Furthermore, it also serves as an opportunity for students and teachers alike to bond with other campuses and develop camaraderie within the STI community.