KWC Karaoke World Championships 2011 Filipino singers make history in prestigious international singing competition

On September 10, 2011 Joel Cruz and Lyda Shyla Roxas from the Philippines landed top spots in the Karaoke World Championships (KWC) held in Killarney, Ireland. Joel bagged first runner-up in the male category, while Lyda landed third runner-up in the female category, making them the first Filipinos to ever place in the most prestigious karaoke event in the world.

For his winning piece, Joel sang Bridge over Troubled Water (originally performed by Simon & Garfunkel), blowing the crowd away with his electrifying performance. Lyda stunned the audience with her powerful rendition of Alone (originally performed by Heart). Out of 23 participating countries, the Philippines was the only one to get both male and female representatives in the top five.

The five winners for the male cateogry are:

1. Marc Hatem (Lebanon) – champion
2. Joel Cruz (Philippines) – first runner-up
3. Vladimir Pak (Russia) – second runner-up
4. Riki James (New Zealand) – third runner-up
5. Toni Laaksonen (Finland) – fourth runner-up

The five winners for the female cateogry are:

1. Cassandra Jopp (USA) – champion
2. Estefania Gralla (Spain) – first runner-up
3. Jerrica Santos (Canada) – second runner-up
4. Lyda Shyla Roxas (Philippines) – third runner-up
5. Viktoriia Pakhtusova (Ukraine) – fourth runner-up

Although neither bagged home the championship crown, their success has earned Filipinos the respect of the international music community.

Karaoke World Championships 2011 videos

Joel Cruz performs “Bridge Over Troubled Water” at the 2011 KWC Karaoke World Champinships held in Killarney, Ireland

Lyda Shyla Roxas performs “Alone” at the 2011 KWC Karaoke World Champinships held in Killarney, Ireland

Karaoke World Championships 2011 photos

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PHILIPPINES IS THE ONLY COUNTRY WITH BOTH MALE AND FEMALE CONTESTANTS IN THE TOP 5 OF KARAOKE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
1st Runner-up in Male Category and 3rd Runner-up in Female Category

Killarney, Ireland- Philippines’ first representatives in the 2011 Karaoke World Championships held in Killarney, Ireland on September 8-10 made a remarkable start. Joel Cruz was the 2011 KWC Male 1st Runner-Up and Lyda Shyla Roxas was the 2011 KWC Female 3rd Runner-Up.

After making it to the top 20, all the remaining finalists performed their song for the Semifinals round. Philippines, Lebanon, New Zealand, Finland and Russia emerged as the top 5 male finalists with USA, Spain, Canada, Philippines and Ukraine dominating the women division. Out of the 23 participating countries, only the representatives from the Philippines were able to get both male and female contestants in the top 5.

In the final round, the top 10 finalists sang their fourth and last song. Joel stepped on the stage and blew the crowd with his “Bridge over Troubled Water” song performance. For the female category, Lyda’s powerful rendition of “Alone” definitely showed her prowess and versatility.

After the four songs were calculated together, Marc Hatem from Lebanon won the male category while Cassandra Jopp from USA topped the female category. Other Runners-Up for the male category were Vladimir Pak from Russia (2nd Runner-Up), Riki James from New Zealand (3rd Runner-Up) and Toni Laaksonen from Finland (4th Runner-Up).

Runners-Up for the female category were Estefania Gralla from Spain (1st Runner-Up), Jerrica Santos from Canada (2nd Runner-Up) and Viktoriia Pakhtusova from Ukraine (4th Runner-Up).

Indeed, the 2011 KWC World Finals marked another memorable experience for all its participants. KWC Philippines’ first experience was a blast with Joel and Lyda making it to the top 5. Their commendable performances served as a clear proof of Filipinos’ world class talent.

KWC is the biggest and most prestigious karaoke event in the world. Started in 2003 by Oy KWC Organization, Ltd., Finland, it provides amateur singers the opportunity to showcase their amazing talents to the world, at the same time fostering camaraderie and goodwill among participating countries.

For more information, please visit: www.kwcphilippines.com or www.kwc.fi. You can also like us on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/kwcphilippines.
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