A Wish Come True: Princess Sevillena is Wishcovery's Grand Champion

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A memorable “wish come true” moment has unfolded at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum on March 27 as Princess Sevillena of Metro Manila was named as the grand champion of Wishcovery.

Sevillena vied against the other members of the “Wishful 5” -- namely Carmela Ariola, Kimberly Baluzo, Hacel Bartolome, and Louie Anne Culala -- during the grand finale of the online singing competition launched by FM radio station Wish 107.5.

"Thank You, Lord! Maraming maraming salamat po! To God be the glory!," a teary-eyed Sevillena exclaimed.

The 24-year-old singer has won Php 2 million worth of cash and contract, a house and lot courtesy of Bria Homes, and a brand-new car. She will also be flying to New York to receive a makeover package from acclaimed stylist Richie Rich, and to undergo a two-week training with award-winning stage director-writer Joe Barros.

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No easy feat

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It was no easy feat for Sevillena to win the biggest talent search in the country; Wishcovery’s grand finals featured five “Wish rounds” that were designed to showcase more than just the Wishful 5’s singing prowess.

One of the grand finale’s highlights was when they performed a medley of OPM songs they have previously sung in the show. In this portion, the scores came from a New York-situated panel of foreign reactors composed of acclaimed American fashion designer Richie Rich and Cicero Oca, CEO of OnQ Talent Agency.

The round was meant to test the Wishfuls’ ability to express and share the emotions woven in Filipino music pieces before an international audience, abridging language and geographic barriers.

Another show-stopping round was the grand finalists’ live collaborative performance, which focused on their vocal flexibility and harmonizing skills. This, together with two more rounds -- the Wishfuls’ live solo number on stage, and final Wish Bus performance for the competition -- was judged by Wishcovery’s resident reactors: Jungee Marcelo, Annie Quintos and Jay R.

A separate round was allotted for a power-viewing battle that began over a week before the finals night.

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All are winners

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During the Grand Finals night, Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI) CEO and President Kuya Daniel Razon said that “reaching [the grand finals] is already a victory worth celebrating.”

"Wishcovery does not end here as we have great plans for our Wishful 5. As you all know, each of them have already inked not one but two contracts -- with BMPI and Star Music. They will also receive Php 100,000 for their chosen beneficiaries," he remarked.

Additionally, the runners-up were also awarded with cash prizes. Baluzo, who won 1st-runner up took home Php 500,000, while 2nd runner-up Culala received Php 300,000. Ariola and Bartolome, who were hailed as 3rd and 4th runners-up respectively, won Php 100,000 each.