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The grand final of Asia’s Got Talent airs tomorrow (May 14) from Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, with four finalists from the Philippines: El Gamma Penumbra, a shadow-performing group; Junior New System, a dance group; Gwyneth Dorado, a 10-year-old singer; and Gerphil Flores, a former finalist in Pinoy Got Talent who describes herself as a “crossover artist”. In between rehearsals for their performance tomorrow evening, Flores takes time off to chat with Coconuts Manila:
Who are your musical influences?
My grandfather used to play classical guitar but he did not have any formal music training, he was just self-taught, and I think my grandpa’s passion for music influenced my mom. She was exposed to kundiman songs and other classical guitar pieces during her childhood but they did that chose this is as their profession. They just really love to listen to music.
What kept you busy after Pinoy’s Got Talent and before joining Asia’s Got Talent?
I went to college at the University of the Philippines. I had no formal training when I joined PGT but after that, I took music at UP and from there, I learned more about music.
What made you decide to start singing more accessible songs in addition to arias?
Actually, I went into music as a crossover artist. I do not really go into the hardcore opera scene except when I’m in UP because that is a conversatory and mostly, the songs taught to us in class are songs from the Baroque, Renaissance, Classical and Romantic periods. Outside school, the songs I sing are crossover and I’ve always been a fan of these songs like the one that Josh Groban sang — “Caruso” — which was my audition piece in PGT. However, most of the time, when people hear a foreign song with a classical approach, then often think that it is automatically an aria (a song that came from an opera).
How surprised were you at the positive reception you recieved from AGT?
This is a totally different experience because this time, it’s not just local, but Asia. I was really surprised when the judges gave me a standing ovation as well as the audience. It was like I was just dreaming.
Do you think the Philippines just isn’t ready for your style of singing?
As a classical crossover singer, I believe any Filipino can love classical music. The song in graduation marching ceremonies is classical taken from an opera Aida. The wedding songs are classical, and we appreciate them. We have a rich culture when it comes to music! The spirit of genres like kundiman is still there, we just need to awaken it.
What are the things you have learned so far in AGT?
I’ve learned that Asia’s got talent, indeed.
What are your immediate plans after the contest, win or lose?
I plan on finishing my studies and strive to inspire a lot of aspiring artists out there and to help them achieve their dreams.
Finally, what do you sing when you’re playing karaoke?
My family and I sing karaoke sometimes at home and we would just sing any songs from ballad and jazz to Broadway, pop and country music.
