18 Philippine Showbiz Today
August 8 - 21, 2018
Team Canada wins big at WCOPA
Singers, musicians, dancers,
variety artists, actors and models
competed before judges from the
entertainment industry at the 22nd
Annual World Championships of
Performing Arts (WCOPA), from
July 6 – 15, 2018 in Long Beach,
California.
This
one-and-only,
Olympic-style international meet for
aspiring performers and entertainers
is held annually in “Hollywood”,
entertainment capital of the world.
“A most invaluable experience of a
lifetime” is the frequent universal
praise given by attendees to this
prestigious event.
Selections for contestants were
held in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean,
Central and South America, Europe,
Asia and Africa. “Contestants from
over 63 countries participated,” says
Griff O’Neil, Founder, CEO and a
former executive of the Miss Universe
Pageant, “vying for ‘the gold’ PLUS
treasured prizes.”
Awards included a recording
contract from Indasoul Entertainment,
and a total of over a half-million
dollars in scholarships ($30,000.00
USD from the Millennium Dance
Complex, $50,000.00 USD from
CSM Music, $150,000.00 USD
from the New York Film Academy
Connor Way and Janice Lozano, WCOPA Regional Director, with Lianna Peng.
and $280,000.00 USD from the
New York Conservatory for Film and
Television”).
Prior to the opening ceremonies
and competition, contestants looked
forward to the much-anticipated
WORLDSTARS Boot Camp, a full
day of the most comprehensive
performing arts seminars and
workshops given exclusively by top
industry experts.
This year, under the leadership of
Heart Evangelista
affirms loyalty to GMA-7
GMA SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA President and COO Gilberto
R. Duavit, Jr., Heart Evangelista, GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA EVP
and CFO Felipe S. Yalong
Multitalented and versatile
Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista
remains a loyal Kapuso as she
renewed her exclusive contract with
GMA Network, Inc. last July 31.
Present in the contract signing
were GMA Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Atty. Felipe L.
Gozon, GMA President and Chief
Operating Officer Gilberto R. Duavit,
Jr., GMA Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S.
Yalong, GMA Senior Vice President
for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G.
Rasonable, and Senior Assistant Vice
President for Alternative Productions
Gigi Santiago-Lara.
Heart expressed her gratitude
for the trust and support that GMA
Network has given her all these
years. “I’m very happy to be a
Kapuso. Actually even if I don’t
have a contract, I think I’ll still be
a Kapuso. GMA has always been
very understanding and they’re not
selfish with schedules. When there’s
a change of plans, that’s when we
discuss but now, I want to work.”
“I’m very content with my life.
I’m very happy where I am. I’m very
excited for what I have and what I will
be doing with GMA,” the Philippine
TV’s Sweetheart added.
Meanwhile,
Atty.
Gozon
expressed his gladness on Heart
being loyal with GMA and has nothing
but praises for the actress, “Si Heart
ay isang very talented actress sa
movie at TV. Super talented niya
ring painter whose paintings are very
much in demand. We are fortunate
and gratified na nag-renew siya ng
exclusive contract sa atin because
she is really a very valuable asset for
any showbiz organization.”
Duavit, on the other hand, said
he is delighted that Heart continues to
stay with the Network, “Nasisiyahan
tayo na nananatili siyang Kapuso.
Nagpapasalamat tayo sa tiwala
niyang ibinibigay. From the time she
joined us, she’s always shown loyalty.
Nandun yung kusa at pagkakaisa na
ehemplo sa ating lahat.” ●
Janice Lozano, Regional Director for
Western and Northern Canada in
the Provinces of British Columbia,
Yukon/Northwestern Territories and
Nunavut., Connor Way of Victoria
BC, wins Senior Grand Champion of
The World Male Model Division.
Team Canada not only brought
home 1, but 2 champions this year
at WCOPA.
The other was Lianna Peng,
Junior Grand Champion Performer
of The World, Variety Acts Division.
Lianna is from Toronto, ON and she’s
only 9 years old. She started learning
pole dancing only half a year ago.
“This little girl is amazing. She’s that
good now, what more in a couple of
years.” Lozano beamed.
Overall Team Canada had 13
delegates, and 2 of 13 took home the
title of Grand Champion Performer
of The World, 15 gold medals, 9
silver medals, and 10 bronze medals.
Kudos to Team Canada 2018: Connor
Way, Alecs Bautista, Naomi Geddes
Helm, Airen Alexis Agasino, Qrtny
Jhasch Contado, Kurt Lawrence M.
Agno, Hannah Adamson, Cheenee
Morales, Savhannah Crittenden,
Marissa Johnson, Paige Woodburn,
Noemie Yanez (Yanz Cooper), Lianna
Peng. Congratulations also to Team
Canada National Director: Anton
Tajanlangit. Regional Director: Janice
Lozano and Scouts: Tony Surtida,
Darryl Quiambao and Savhannah
Crittenden.
When it comes to the Performing
Arts, Canada is a sleeping giant!
Apply now for an audition for Team
Canada. Pls contact Janice Lozano
(778) 772-5847.
Go, Canada!
#experienceWCOPA ●