Chivas Anton Borromeo Malunda may have missed his chance to shine in two reality shows in the Philippines, but his determination to pursue his love for singing brought him to higher heights after winning three medals in the internationally acclaimed World Championship for Performing Arts recently.
Chivas, 27, who originally hails from Tanjay, Negros Oriental and the son of a retired police general, Irving Malunda and wife, Zenaida, “brought home the bacon” after winning three divisions in the solo singing category of the WCOPA held last month in Los Angeles in California, U.S.A.
At a press conference Wednesday in Dumaguete City, Chivas presented his gold, silver and bronze medals as well as a division champion plaque from the WCOPA, held July 12-21 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Hollywood.
Malunda was among 35 junior and senior contenders comprising the Philippine delegation to Hollywood’s “Official World Talent Championships” where at least 53 countries had sent their respective contestants.
The fair-skinned singer admits he was overwhelmed with his victory and proud to be part of the Philippines’ pride in the worldwide culmination of the WCOPA.
Chivas belted out his rendition of Michael Bolton’s When a Man Loves a Woman in the R&B category that earned him the gold medal, edging out the USA’s contender who came in second.
According to Chivas Malunda, the R&B triumph came as a surprise to him as he says his best music genre is rock, where he also earned a silver medal in that category, singing Welcome to the Black Parade popularized by Chemical Romance.
In the open category, where he crooned his version of Pat Benatar’s Hit Me With Your Best Shot, Malunda placed third and earned for himself the bronze medal.
Malunda was the only representative from the Philippines that competed in the solo singing contest for the 25-29 age group category.
He said he is now working on his first solo album that will feature his original compositions. (PNA)
