From Viral Sensation to Grand Champion: Rhea Basco Wins Wishcovery Season 2

Wishcovery concluded its sophomore season February 26, Tuesday.

Ending her stint on the Wish 107.5-produced online singing competition on a triumphant note, Rhea Basco of Camp Jungee, was hailed as the grand champion of Wishcovery Season 2: The Singer and The Song.

The 23-year-old singer bested seven other contenders – or Wishcoverees — during the grand finals night held at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. 

“Thank you so much to my family, friends, and schoolmates from Centro Escolar University who are here. I really can’t explain how I feel...but to Wish 107.5, thank you so much for this opportunity,” Basco said in her speech.

She first earned the attention of Pinoy music lovers with viral videos of her showing off her effortless singing chops. The videos include her Wishcovery audition piece, Morissette’s “Akin Ka Na Lang.”

Intense vocal showdowns

The second installment of Wishcovery put the spotlight not only on aspiring singers but also on seasoned songwriters. 

The show initially gathered seven Wishcoverer-Composers — including Rannie Raymundo, Jungee Marcelo, Top Suzara, Vehnee Saturno, Boy Christopher Ramos, Noel Cabangon, and Moy Ortiz — who traveled across the country to personally select the Wishcoverees who will complete their camps.

Before arriving at the grand finals, the top contenders of each camp underwent a series of sing-offs that took place from November last year until January this year. 

While these vocal showdowns occurred, Wishcovery has simultaneously held auditions and eliminations in the United States to select the Wishcoveree who will represent the eighth camp, led by Los Angeles-based OPM hitmaker Odette Quesada.

On Tuesday, the top eight Wishcoverees went through three live rounds showcasing their musical skills. During the first two vocal battles, the finalists sang a medley of their composers’ hit songs and collaborated with fellow contenders and guest artists.

The main highlight of the evening was the finalists performing a brand-new song penned by their composers specifically for the competition. 

The live performances were scored by a select panel of judges, composed of Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha, world-renowned pianist Dr. Raul Sunico, and Philippine Association of the Record Industry President Alvin De Vera.

Apart from the live rounds, the Wishcoverees’ final scores also included a power-viewing component. This statistic came from the number of YouTube views garnered by their Wishclusive videos featuring their composers’ newly-written pieces.

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Incredible prizes

Living up to the prestige of Wishcovery’s maiden edition, the second season also handed out incredible prizes to the roster of grand finalists.

Basco won a cash prize of Php 1 million, Php 1 million worth of contract, a house and lot, and a brand-new car.

Camp Top’s Nashrenne Casas, who won 1st runner-up, took home Php 500,000. Jemy Picardal of Camp Rannie Php 300,000 for winning 2nd runner-up. Meanwhile, Paula Guevara of Camp Ortiz secured Php 100,000 after being hailed as the 3rd runner-up.

All the remaining grand finalists won a consolation prize of Php 50,000 each.

Ahead of last Tuesday’s event, the Wishcoverees have also already donated a total of Php 700,000 to their beneficiaries.

Spotlight for singers, songwriters

In his inspirational message, Wishcovery creator Kuya Daniel Razon put the spotlight not only on the singers but on the songwriters as well, recognizing the important of this “crucial tandem in music.”

“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, we pay tribute to both -- the singer and the songwriter. Thank you for the music, thank you for this heritage… These people, our singers and our composers, are making history today, and I hope you acknowledge our respect.” Razon, who serves as the President and CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International, remarked.

“One of these days, we will grow old, but the songs will remain,” he added, further encouraging the younger generation to never forget the songs Filipinos have grown to love.

As for the next chapter of the finalists’ musical journey, the BMPI executive revealed that an album compiling the original songs they have performed in the competition will be underway. 

Wishcovery was first launched in 2017 with the aim of discovering promising singers and honing them to become the next biggest singing sensations in the Philippines. The show’s first season produced The Wishfuls — made up of Princess Sevillena, Kimberly Baluzo, Louie Anne Culala, Carmela Ariola, and Ace Bartolome -- who made history after their debut album “Wishful Journey’” sold over 15,000 copies in a span of one day.