Forty-eight aspiring singers from across the Philippines are moving closer to their dreams as TNT and Viva bring their nationwide karaoke competition, “SayaOke,” to its next stage, featuring weekly live showdowns and a chance to secure a recording contract.
Selected from auditions submitted through the Vivaoke app, the finalists will compete for P300,000 in cash prizes in each weekly showdown. One of the seven weekly winners will also be chosen for a recording contract with Viva.
The finalists include 24 singers from Luzon, 12 from the Visayas and 12 from Mindanao, underscoring the competition’s nationwide reach.
During a press conference, MG Mozo, president of Viva Music Publishing Inc., discussed the qualities the entertainment company would look for in selecting the aspiring singer who would receive the recording opportunity.
“First and foremost, it has to be your passion. It doesn’t have to be a job. It has to be something that you truly, truly love. The fun is very important. That’s why I’m so happy that we’ve partnered with TNT because that’s exactly what singing is. It has to be fun. It has to come from the heart,” Mozo said.
She added that the ability to convey a song’s story through its lyrics and performance would also influence the selection, alongside vocal quality and stage presence.
Lloyd Manaloto, first vice president and officer-in-charge of Smart Communications Inc., said the partnership uses technology to connect aspiring performers with audiences and make opportunities more accessible to Filipinos.
“At the core of TNT is connectivity. It allows us to connect not just to people but also to technology. What we’re moving forward with is bringing these new technologies online to the masses. These technologies can bring us together, and connectivity allows us to connect better,” Manaloto said.
Viva artists Lyca Gairanod and Krissha Viaje also joined the announcement, sharing their experiences in the music industry and encouraging the finalists to pursue their ambitions.
Gairanod, whose song “Puede Nang Mangarap” recently gained attention online, said opportunities such as “SayaOke” can help aspiring singers reach audiences beyond their immediate communities.
“Sometimes, one opportunity is all it takes in life. That is why competitions like this are important because they give Filipinos a chance to showcase their talents to more people and inspire them to keep pursuing their dreams. You never know how far that one opportunity can take you,” Gairanod said.
Viaje, who is part of the Viva One series “Our Yesterday’s Escape,” recalled joining singing competitions in the Philippines and abroad when she was younger. She emphasized the importance of perseverance and confidence in pursuing an entertainment career.
The weekly competitions will feature a panel of judges, with vocal quality, confidence and technical singing ability accounting for 90 percent of the scores. The remaining 10 percent will come from audience votes.
The weekly SayaOke live showdowns will stream on TikTok. More information is available at sayaoke.tntph.com.