PATULOY ANG PAG-ARANGKADA ng singing career ni Rhap Salazar maging sa ibang bansa. From being the Grand Champion of ABS-CBN’s Little Big Star (Little Division), he was proclaimed the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World at the 13th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) which was held at the Westin Bonaventure in Los Angeles, California. Maliban sa karangalang ito, nanalo rin siya ng limang gold medals mula sa limang categories: Male Vocal Broadway, Male Vocal Gospel, Male Vocal Open, Male Vocal Pop at Male Vocal R&B/Soul/Jazz.
Pinahanga naman niya kamakailan ang television host na si Ellen DeGeneres at ang American audiences when he guested on the famous talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he sang Celine Dion’s All by Myself na kanyang winning-piece sa WCOPA. Rhap received a standing ovation from the audience and a big hug from Ellen who was impressed with his singing.
“Wow, welcome to my country. So, I understand that it was your birthday wish to be able to perform on this show. Now, you’re here… Your voice is incredible and with so much power and emotion. We can just feel everything,” praised Ellen.
Tinanong ni Ellen si Rhap kung sino ang kanyang mga favorite singers. He mentioned Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Josh Groban, Michael Jackson and Beyonce Knowles.
Nagkatotoo na ang birthday wish ni Rhap na makapag-perform at makaharap si Ellen. Sinasabing binigyan diumano ni Rhap ang television host ng isang native jewelry box na may kasamang short message na “Dear Ms. Ellen, Thank you. My birthday wish last January was to be invited to your show. Thank you for making my dream come true. Love, Rhap.” Ellen gave him a PS3 in return.
After Ellen, saang international television show naman kaya natin susunod na mapapanood si Rhap? Sa The Oprah Winfrey Show kaya? Will he also follow Charice’s footsteps na nauna nang nagpakitang-gilas sa mga international shows?
Pero ngayon pa lang ay mukhang iniintriga na ang dalawa. Aminado naman si Rhap that he considers Charice as his idol dahil sa mga international achievements nito. Wala raw namamagitang rivalry sa pagitan nilang dalawa at magkaibigan daw sila. He calls her Ate Charice. Sa tingin ko ay hindi maiiwasan ang ganitong klase ng intriga lalo pa’t pareho silang nanggaling sa Little Big Star at nag-guest na sa The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Sa ngayon ay patuloy na gumagawa ng kanyang pangalan si Charice sa international music scene while Rhap is slowly penetrating it.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
