Voted out in Manila, Pinoy wins as champion vocalist in Hollywood

Reymond Sajor didn’t find luck in Manila on his first attempt to sing on national television. A 28-year-old singer from Lucena, Quezon, Reymond was the third finalist to be voted out of the Philippine Idol contest, the local version of the hugely successful American Idol show. But a fortnight ago in Hollywood, for his rendition of the minute-long "Anthem" ditty from the musical Chess, Sajor snagged a jackpot. He won as Grand Champion, Senior Vocalist of the World, in the 11th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). In a phone interview with GMANews.TV, Reymond says he does not think his loss in Philippine Idol was a setback, or that his victory in WCOPA was a vindication. “Mahirap kasi sa PI (Philippine Idol), sa text vote talaga nakabatay ’yung resulta," he says. By all indications, he says the PI judges seem to have no say on the fate of the 12 finalists, more than the viewers. He remains grateful to PI, however, for giving him a chance to showcase his talent. “PI really helped a lot sa exposure ko. Without PI, I don’t think mapapasali ako sa WCOPA," Reymond says. Trumpets talent Before he joined PI, Reymond has performed in the musical plays of Trumpets, starting with Little Mermaid in 2005. Carlo Orosa, WCOPA national director for the Philippines, later invited him to join the international contest. Apart from a month-long training with Trumpets Music Academy to “polish" him for the competition, what occupied his time was the need to raise $3,500 so he could join WCOPA. To prepare for the competition, Reymond performed in several fund-raising shows for two months. He also had to call up relatives for additional donations. “Nakakahiya manghingi ng tulong," he recalls now. Next, he worried about his application for a visa to the United States; it was his first time to apply for one. “Pero nu’ng makuha na (ang US Visa) nagtuloy-tuloy na (ang fund-raising) for one and a half months," he says. Orosa, meanwhile, helped him select the songs he will perform for the competition, to make sure these match his character. “He really helped me choose my songs. Kailangan kasi makita ng mga judges na fit ka sa role na kinakanta mo. Kailangan nasa character mo, kailangan nasa personality mo makikita ‘yung kanta. Hindi lang basta bibirit ka," he said. Gerald the arranger Reymond was also grateful that no less than known musical director Gerald Salonga arranged his songs. “Blessed ako kasi I got Gerald Salonga to arrange my songs," he said. At the start, Reymond says the competition was “masakit sa ulo." The contestants were clueless as to what the judges were looking for. “Mayroong mga magagaling and yet hindi napipili. Hindi namin alam kung makaka-survive pa kami sa next round," he recounts. All that was apparent, he says, was that the judges were looking for entertainment value and marketability of talent in the US mainstream entertainment industry. Reymond competed in four categories: broadway, pop, contemporary and gospel. The contestants were graded in the first round, and the top scorers were given gold, silver and bronze medals. Reymond bagged two gold and two silver medals. In the second round of the competition, the highest scorer was given plaques. Reymond got two: for broadway and contemporary categories. The third round – the grand finals – was the toughest for the contestants. Each had to choose just one of four songs to be his/her entry. It was at this point that Reymond chose to sing “Anthem." It would turn out to be his winning piece. Plans, plans After he won, Reymond says Shelley Sondheim, nephew of famed Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim, approached him and expressed interest in working with him. Sondheim assured him he will communicate via email. “Wala pang pangako (na projects). Sinabi lang na ‘I’m interested in working with you,’" he says. Shelley invited other participants as well. Back in Manila, Reymond looks forward to having shows and guestings in television networks. “Makakatulong yon ng malaki sa exposure ko," he says. Too, he is preparing to launch his debut album. “Mayroon na kaming mga nakausap na composers. We are now looking for songs para sa album. Gusto namin pulido kaya pinag-iisipan naming maige," he bares. Reymond is clear about the kind of music he wants to offer. “We wanted to focus sa mga songs na hindi typical Filipino sound. (Ayaw namin) ‘yung tipo bang alam mo na ang susunod na tono." “As much as possible," he says, “gusto ko maitaas ang quality ng music industry. Gusto ko puro original (yung laman ng debut album). Kung meron mang revival, hindi lahat (ng kanta)." - GMANews.TV