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In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, Asia's Got Talent finalists Philip Galit, a.k.a. Shadow Ace, and 16-member dance group Junior Good Vibes shared the trials they've faced in their journey to the top.

It's the perfect underdog story.

Philip Galit, aka Shadow Ace, and 16-member dance group Junior Good Vibes were recently announced as the Philippine finalists for the Asia's Got Talent grand finale show.

But like every story, if there are ups there will always be downs. And this is what Shadow Ace and the Junior Good Vibes share in common.

In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, both contenders for the USD100,000 Grand Prize have shared the trials they've faced in their journey to the top.

Shadow Ace

For the 22-year old Philip Galit, growing up with no electricity and being bullied led him to discover his array of talents aside from shadow play.

“Growing up, wala po kaming kuryente sa bahay.

“So, imbis na magalit ako dun sa situation, yun po yung ginawa ko. Kandila. Dingding. 'Tapos ayun, naglaro ako gamit ang shadows.

“And then growing up, kasi wala kong kalaro, isa-isa kong naging friends yung mga shadow ko.

“Imbis na magmukmok ako, kumuha ako ng lapis at nag-drawing ako. Kumuha ako ng gitara at nag-try akong mag-guitar at nag-practice ako,” he said.

As he discovers his passion for shadow play, he honed his talents by experimenting with styles through competitions and viral videos found on YouTube.

“Naging inspiration ko yung mga nakikita ko sa TV at kung anong patok sa audience.

“Parang, 'Wow! Ang galing mag-pole dancing. Kaya ko din yan, pero di lang pisikal. I-shadow ko yan.'”

A bit hesitant at first, his talent and curiosity eventually pushed him to join local talent competitions in his hometown in Calatagan, Batangas.

“Nagkaroon ng 'Calatagan's Got Talent' na hindi ko nga rin sure if qualified yung talent ko.”

“Nangangamba ako na baka pagtawanan ako kasi simple lang, e.

“Then, doon ko sinimulan yung dancing shadow na nagustuhan naman nila.”

But despite the various wins, his talent simply wasn't good enough to earn him a spot in Asia's Got Talent Season 1.

“To be honest, nag-audition po ako sa season 1 at 2.

“But unfortunately,” he digressed. “I got rejected during those two auditions.”

Years after his first rejection, it was during a competition where he learned that auditions were currently on-going for Season 3.

He recalls, “Actually, nasa contest ako nung sinabihan ako na may audition sa Quezon City.”

Equipped with his knowledge and experience, he was prepared to give it his all.

“Kung mapapansin niyo, may kulay po, 'di ba, ang performance ko ngayon?

“Kasi noon, walang emotion yung audition ko dahil puro black and white”

“Ngayon, I told myself, 'This is the last season. Kung 'di ako makakapasok dito, ayaw ko na.'”

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Philip, together with his mom and dad performed his shadow play in Malaysia in front of judges David Foster, Anggun Cipta Sasmi, and Jay Park.

His entertaining performance even led to hosts Alan Wong and Justin Bratton to push the Golden Buzzer leading him to the semi-final round.

His feeling? Utter bliss.

“Nung moment po na yun, parang wala akong madinig. Nakikita ko lang bigla na umiiyak yung mama ko. Parang, 'nanaginip ba ko?'”

If you play back his audition for the talent show, he picked pieces of confetti from the ground and placed them on his pocket.

The story behind his action was nothing short of meaningful.

“Lagi po nilang sinasabi, 'That's Filipino culture, na kung nakapunta ka sa isang lugar, kukuha ka ng souvenir.

“Pero para sa akin, I got this to prove that I achieved something. Something big. Kasi, I was rejected so many times but now, I finally got the Golden Buzzer,” he adds.

Junior Good Vibes

As for Junior Good Vibes, leader John Brett Sornit tells the humble tale of 25 boys who simply loved to dance and would practice in the streets of Sampaloc during their free time.

Their biggest dilemma during the journey was money, which they badly needed in order to fly all 25 members to Malaysia.

“Nung tinawagan kami na isa kami sa magre-represent ng country, nag-start na po kaming mag-asikaso.”

The group scoured the city and went door-to-door in order to get solicitations from donors who would want to support their dream of being on Asia's Got Talent.

John explains, “Nag-start kaming mag-solicit sa [Manila] City Hall. Then, nag-decide kami na libutin namin yung buong Manila. Araw-araw, gabi-gabi, para lang makapaglikom ng pera.”

Then, came the time and the deadline was up. As the leader, he had the burden to decide which 16 members would perform.

“Napakalungkot para sa akin na hindi ko ma-push para lahat makasayaw dahil hanggang dun lang kaya ng pera naming, e.”

“Pero sinabi ko, na kahit hindi man kayo makasama sa Asia's Got Talent, yung pangarap n'yo dala namin.”

As they flew to Malaysia, they knew that they had something more to prove than just being good at dancing.

John expressed, “'Pag sinabi kasing sayaw, parang common na. Marami nang dancers at napaka-common ng talent. Kaya napakalaking kaba para sa amin.

“Sa competition ang daming act na magician, singer, at iba't iba pang talent. Kaya napatanong kami, 'Kaya ba natin to? Kaya ba nating pumasok sa finals?'”

Their faith to work as a unit and the almighty God was their source of strength to make it to the final round.

And so they did. The group received a unanimous decision to proceed to the final round to which they are more than prepared to give it their all.

Their eyes set on the prize, they dream of providing the greatest gift they can give to their fellow dancers.

“Kung manalo kami, ang una naming gagawin is mag-provide ng dance studio para sa kapwa naming mananayaw.

“Alam namin yung hirap na mag-practice lang sa kalye na libre lang.”

As of writing, the Philippines currently has two finalists, Shadow Ace and Junior Good Vibes, who will be competing at the Grand Finale.

Philippine contenders, 10-year old Eleana Gabunada who received the Golden Buzzer from David Foster, Power Duo Anjette and Gervis, and HK Sisters Hannah Korin and Harrah Kaym Castillo are currently competing for the other spots in the finals.