Who will launch into first place in Kumu’s Sing For The Stars?
Sing for the Stars reaches its exciting conclusion this week, when just a few months ago, a completely digital singing competition was unheard of. Now, it’s an ongoing reality, thanks to social app Kumu and its live-streaming capability that has turned the entertainment industry on its heads.
Co-hosting features that allow for up to nine different camera views have enabled people from across the globe to connect and conduct an entire season of a show in one virtual space, signaling that the future of live performances is here. All while conquering other forms of media and covering several mainstream events, Kumu is doubling down on creating opportunities for dreamers—while never asking them or their potential audiences to step out of their homes. Instead, it gives every performer a stage, and every fan a front-row seat.
Now, from hundreds of hopefuls, Sing for the Stars and its celebrity judges Lea Salonga and Warner Music Philippines’ senior A&R Manager Kelley Mangahas have narrowed the list down to the Top 3: Archie Aguilar, Shanne Gulle, and Christian Bahaya.
Archie Aguilar, 23, proudly hails from Quezon City, a section of the Philippine metro with a penchant for fostering talent. Archie cites Jason Mraz as his primary inspiration but learned to branch out over time. “After my first singing contest, I discovered that I should study other songs, other genres. So now, I think I’m into almost anything. Maybe not metal!” he says with a laugh. Although his career was taking root long before the pandemic—collaborations with friends, live shows, and the not-so-odd prizes from other competitions—his Kumu audience is what bolstered his determination to rise to the top. “I joined many campaigns, found friends, and improved my performances,” he recounts. He’s even won phones that he’s given to his family as a result of his presence on the app.
He’s no newbie—Lea Salonga herself will tell you so, having memorably not turned her chair at his performance in the first season of The Voice. But Aguilar’s growth and experience are just as obvious, to the point that Salonga has pointed out his falsetto as a strength. When asked about what he’s learned so far since his first stream and along on his SFTS journey, he says, “Don’t just sing based on skill. You should build a connection with whoever’s watching through what you sing. Bilang artist na ilang beses nang nakaranas ng [self-doubt], at ilang beses nang nag-give up at mag-gi-give up sana—darating talaga tayo sa point [na ito], but that’s how artists become strong.” He also says that what has been most effective for him is “to pray and to trust in your talent.”
Shane Gulle, 18, a blossoming young diva from General Santos City, one of the southernmost islands of the Philippines, Shanne Gulle looks up to the hit-churning queens that came before her: Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey. She was about 16 when she started streaming on Kumu, and learned quickly that while her taste and skills as a singer might not pose a problem, her lack of confidence would: “‘Di ako marunong sumagot ng interviews, paano mag-interview, makihalubilo… Paano ako sasali sa competition if I have no confidence?” She says that it was through Kumu and the audience she built there, “because the community is so interactive and generous.“
And since signing up for Kumu, it’s been a snowball effect for Gulle. “I think if I hadn’t [joined the app], I would never have become a live streamer, and then I would never have boosted my confidence,” she says. “I would never have met the people who helped me get to Sing for the Stars. I wouldn’t have had this opportunity to perform in front of Ms. Lea! [To my fellow artists,] you need to be courageous. If you don’t [take risks], you will never conquer your fear. You never know!“
Rounding out our Top 3 is Christian Bahaya, 26, a Davaoeño currently living in Metro Manila. His journey to Sing for the Stars seems to have begun long before any part of the contest was conceived; he’s a big fan of Michael Bublé. “Singing has always been a part of my life but I almost gave it up when my voice changed. I got so frustrated that I didn’t even want to hold a microphone anymore. My family never gave up on me but nawalan ako ng gana,” he confesses. But when I found Michael (Bublé), I learned that you don’t need [crazy high notes] to impress. And as I got older, I learned that singing is about conveying meaning. Michael’s [strength for me is clarity] so I followed him and learned how he does his songs. I make sure na clear ‘yung enunciation ko para mas maintindihan, just like him.”
He also says that Kumu helped him appreciate his unique style. “There [will always be] great singers. Madaming iba-ibang magagaling… never compare yourself kasi ang importante is ‘yung purpose mo, why you joined this competition.” And from hoping to someday be that fan that Michael Bublé invites on to the stage to gunning for more than just the next best thing—a one-on-one coaching session with the man himself—it seems that the stars have truly aligned for Bahaya. “You can count me as one of the people whose lives were changed because of his music.“
These three stars in the making will be battling it out for the title of Grand Champion, as well as a cash prize of $10,000, a one-year record deal with Warner Music Philippines, a mini-concert on Kumu, and a one-on-one coaching session with Michael Bublé himself. The first and second runners-up will receive $4,000 and $2,000 in cash, respectively.
Watch it all unfold alongside both celebrity judges, with a performance from host Shanaia Gomez together with the contestants on April 9. One winner will achieve their dreams—but after that, who knows? Kumu is home to dozens of categories that showcase talents both niche and mainstream, so whatever it is you love, you’ll find a crowd for it.
Experience your brand of stardom on the Kumu app, available for download on the Apple App Store, Huawei Store, and Google Play.
