By Cynthia De Castro
SEPTEMBER 21, 2007
Asianjournal.com
A Star is Born
THOUSANDS of contestants from over 50
her heart. On June 12, she was invited to sing
countries held their breaths as the judges
in a special Independence Day show. Tourism
in the 11th Annual World Championships of
Secretary Ace Durano was so impressed with
Performing Arts (WCOPA) deliberated and
her performance and congratulated her after
tallied the scores. When the winners were
the show. Aria then opened up to Secretary
called out, a petite and pretty singer was
Durano and said, “Sir, I was invited to join the
awarded Overall Grand Champion in the Junior
WCOPA but I can’t go because I don’t have
category —Aria Clemente.
a sponsor.” Immediately, Durano agreed to
Besting 5,000 entries which included dance,
sponsor Aria’s trip.
acting, singing and modeling acts, the 11-
Orosa happily reported, “Aria ended up
year-old Filipina also won the gold in all the
being the first one to raise the money for the
categories where she competed –Broadway,
trip. She was really destined to win the prize.”
Gospel, pop, Latin and rock.
Aria admitted that she was so nervous during
Coming all the way from Malolos, Bulacan,
the whole three rounds of the competition.
Aria instantly became the new darling of the
“I didn’t really think I would win because
Hollywood crowd that night at the Grand
there were so many good talented performers.
Ballroom of the Bonaventure Hotel, Los
I just prayed hard and offered my performance
Angeles last August 3. In the final competition,
to God,” she said.
she competed against four junior vocalists
Orosa further revealed that even before
representing South Africa, New Zealand,
the competitions ended, Aria already received
Trinidad and Tobago, and Russia. Singing an
an offer from a prestigious talent agency in
abridged version of “Don’t Rain On My Parade”
Hollywood.
from the musical Funny Girl, Aria was described
“Aria was being persuaded to stay in the US
by the judges as “Highly entertaining and
by Totally Kids Management, which offered to
highly marketable in Hollywood.”
manage her career from Hollywood. But we
Aria Clemente has been singing since she
said we all have to go home first and celebrate
was six years old, revealed her mother Teresa.
our victory in Manila. Besides, Aria has to talk
She is currently a 6th grader from Stella Maris
with her parents to discuss her future plans,
Academy in Malolos. She loves watching
which includes a prize she received from
musical theater and singing Broadway and
WCOPA – a scholarship at the famous Juilliard
classical hits.
School in New York,” Orosa announced.
Aria first hugged the limelight when she
On August 31, September 1 and 2, Aria’s
joined Seasons 1 and 3 of ABS-CBN’s “Little
talent was again showcased in the smash off-
Big Superstar,” the biggest kiddie talent search
Broadway musical “Children’s Letters To God” at
show on Philippine television,. Contestants
there I was able to use when I joined WCOPA,”
the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza,
were voted by the audience via SMS or text
says Aria during an interview after the WCOPA
Makati City. A joint presentation of Actor’s Actor
messaging. Aria made it to the top 5 but did
affair.
Inc. and Great.Events@Manila Inc., the musical
not get the grand prize.
Aria further honed her talent at the Trumpets
follows the lives of five youngsters as they
A Manila columnist who took note of Aria’s
Music Academy before she was handpicked by
voice beliefs, desires, questions, and doubts
performance in Little Big Superstar believed
WCOPA National Director for the Philippines
common to all people but most disarmingly
that she could be a big star someday. It was a
Carlo Orosa to join the 2007 Team Philippines.
expressed by children. Aria Clemente played
sentiment shared by many who watched her
“Excited po ako at flattered na makasali sa
the eccentric yet lovable character Iris who
compete in the show.
team to represent the country sa WCOPA. Kaso
never parts with her pet turtle Arnold.
“Sa competition, di lahat panalo, pero kahit
po hindi po namin ma-afford ang trip. Our
The future indeed seems very bright for
di man umabot si Aria sa grand final ng Little
family didn’t have the money needed for me
the new star. She will soon be on a roadshow
Big Superstar, alam nating lahat, sa ganda at
to go the US kaya actually, nag-back out na po
when Children’s Letters to God is re-staged on
talent ng bata, di malayong siya na nga ang
ako,” ( I was excited and flattered to have the
October in Cebu and Davao.
susunod na Lea Salonga (In all competitions,
chance to represent the country at WCOPA.
Asked about her future plans, Aria excitedly
not everybody wins. Even though Aria did not
But, unfortunately, we couldn’t afford the trip.
answered, “ I hope to take up Music and Drama
make it to the grand finals, all of us know that
Our family didn’t have the money needed for
in college. But first, I look forward to studying
with the child’s beauty and talent, she could
me to go to the US so I had already backed out
in the States with the scholarship I won from
very well be the next Lea Salonga.),” he said.
of the team.) Aria told the Asian Journal.
WCOPA.”
“I am proud of what I have accomplished in
Fortunately for Aria, and for the Philippines,
Watch out Broadway. The new star is on her
‘Little Big Star’ and what I have learned from
God intervened and granted the desires of
way! (AJ)
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