Tawag Ng Tanghalan’s week long grand finals has come to a close. The last day of huling tapatan week on March 10 was a bit unexpected as results showed a tie. Instead of having the top 5, we now have the top 6. Novelle Belleza, Froilan Canlas, Carl Malone Montecido, Sam Mangubat, Pauline Agupitan and Marielle Montellano completes the roster of Tawag Ng Tanghalan’s grand finalists who will fight for the title on Saturday, March 11 at Resorts World Manila.
ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime has outdone itself with Tawag Ng Tangahalan which first aired on January 2, 2016. Dubbed as “Your all time favorite search for outstanding amateur talent,” the show has drawn much attention while bringing fame to singers from all over the Philippines.
Tawag Ng Tanghalan held four quarters and a wild card portion called the “Ultimate Resbakers” since it started. Now that the strenuous search for the grand finalists for almost a year is done, the first ever Grand Champion will be declared.
Tawag ng Tanghalan Top 6 Finalists, A look back
The first batch of grand finalists is complete. Here’s a quick look at the journey of Novelle Belleza, Froilan Canlas, Carl Malone Montecido, Sam Mangubat, Pauline Agupitan and Marielle Montellano.
Noven Belleza From Quarter 3
Noven Belleza is a farmer from Negros Occidental. He was one of the contenders from Quarter 3 who beat defending champion Babylyn Mauhay on July 23 last year. He completed five wins since then and became the newest grand finalist together with Eumee Capile. Noven’s winning piece during Quarter 3 semi finals was Kahit Ako’y Lupa. Click here to read a recap of Tawag Ng Tanghalan Oct. 8 Episode.
Joining the contest means a lot for Noven. His family make ends meet only through a weekly income of 1,000. At that time, host Vice Ganda was inspired to help out and pay for the tuition fee of his four younger siblings.
Froilan Canlas From Quarter 4
Froilan Canlas from Bulacan started his journey on the show in November last year. He inspires many as his advocacy is for the out-of-school youth. Froilan teaches music and basketball hoping to give young people a better future.
In November last year, Froilan joined and won as defending champion. Lost Stars by Adam Levine was his winning piece. Click here to read a recap of Tawag Ng Tanghalan Nov. 29 Episode. Froilan grabbed eight wins since then which automatically made him part of the Quarter 4 semi-finalists.
Unfortunately, the fight was very tight during the semi-finals on February. Carl Malone and Sam Mangubat were the two additions to the list of grand-finalists then but Froilan definitely won the hearts of the hurados. Click here to read a recap of Tawag Ng Tanghalan Feb. 25 Episode.
Fans were able to see him again, however, during the wild card round which ran from Feb. 27 to March 4. On day 3, March 1, Froilan was declared Wednesday Ultimate Resbaker. He battled contenders on the last Ultimate resbak day on March 4. Click here to read a recap March 4 Episode.
Finally during the Grand Finals week, Froilan fought on March 7 and finally earned a spot on the Grand finals singing his version of Anak by Freddie Aguilar. Click here to read a recap of March 7 Episode.
Carl Malone Montecido From Quarter 4
We met Carl Malone Montecido for the first time on the show on Oct. 29. He grabbed four wins and was one win short of being included in the semi-finals. Carl, from Bacolod, then made a comeback on the show joining the second time on Feb. 14. It was in this episode that he again became defending champion and got five wins since then. This made him the last semi-finalist for Quarter 4. Click here to read a recap of Feb. 14 Episode.
On the week long Quarter 4 semi-finals, Carl Malone was able to secure his place in the grand finals with Sam Mangubat. During the grand finals week, Carl fought on day 1, and then again on Day 3 until he finally became the third grand finalist to compete on the big day. Click here to read a recap of March 8 episode.
Carl Malone’s story was also featured on Maalaala Mo Kaya which aired on New Year’s eve last year. Click here to read a recap of MMK article on Dec. 31.
Sam Mangubat from Quarter 4
Samuel “Sam” Mangubat became defending champion on Nov. 19 beating then defending champion Yvette Celoso. He nabbed 7 wins since and became a semi-grand finalist on Nov. 24. Click here to read a recap of Nov. 24 episode.
The Qurter 4 semi-finals took off in February. In that week, Sam sang Jesus Take The Wheel. This gave him a sure spot in the Grand Finals that would happen the week after the Quarter 4 semi-finals. Click here to read a recap of Feb. 25 episode.
Sam battled grand-finalists on day 2 and finally made it as the fourth semi finalist on day 4 of the week long Grand Finals week. Click here to read a recap of March 9 episode.
Sam from Batangas got his musical roots from church. Being a pastor’s kid was a bit difficult for him in the past. He now strives hard to make his parents proud of him. This singer and songwriter became an internet sensation because of his cover songs on YouTube. Now he has his own fan base of supporters which he calls Angels.
Pauline Agupitan from Quarter 2
Pauline Agupitan from Batangas was one of the first few contenders to join the show in January. She beat Daddy Dominador Aviola and became defending champion. Her reign didn’t last long when she was beaten by Chrisel Joy Dela Cruz.
Singer Pauline didn’t let anything stop her as she came back on the show in May singing May Bukas Pa. She eventually got into the semi-finals and then became the fourth gran finalist singing Pangarap Na Bituin in June.
During the grand finals week, Pauline fought on day 2 and then on day 3 and finally making to the top 6 on March 10. She and Marielle Montellano hit a tie with a total score of 99.40 percent. Click here to read a recap of March 10 episode.
Marielle Montellano From Quarter 2
Marielle Montellano hails from Cebu. She and Pauline are from the same quarter and were both declared grand finalists during the week-long showdown of Quarter 2 semi-finalist in June. Marielle equals Pauline as they both hit a tie during the Grand Finals Week on March 10.
Marielle sang Inseperable the first time she joined the show in January. She joined the second time in May singing At Last and eventually got into the semi-finals. On June 11, during the last day of the week-long showdown of Quarter 2, Marielle sang You Raise Me Up which made her a grand finalist.
Marielle fought in day 1, day 4 and day 5 during the grand finals week. It was on day five that she was declared as the addition to the Top 6 which was supposed to the top 5 only. Thanks to punong hurado Rey Valera who said he wouldn’t break the tie and left it at that.
The fight for Tawag Ng Tanghalan Grand Champion title happens on Saturday, March 11, at Resorts World Manila.