Janine Berdin: The new sound of OPM

The youngest among this year’s finalists, Cebu’s very own Patricia Janine Berdin dominated “It’s Showtime’s” Tawag ng Tanghalan grand finals Saturday at the Aliw Theatre, besting 11 other singers from all over the country.

At 16 years old, Janine was hailed as the newest Tawag ng Tanghalan champion.

Coming into the competition January this year, Janine was introduced as a young singing military trainee. She was christened as “Cadets My Girl ng Cebu,” being a Citizen Army Training (CAT) officer in her school and training with the Air Force Reserve Command (Fifth Air Reserve Center) under the Philippine Air Force.

Five months later, Janine not only has P2 million in cash, she was also granted a vacation package from 2GO, a musical gadgets package from JB Music, a livelihood package from Siomai house, premium television sets from HKTV, a brand new house and lot by Camella Homes, talent management contracts, and a trophy forged by renowned Filipino visual artist Toym Imao.

Janine was the first to enter Saturday’s grand showdown during the weeklong finals. After securing her place in the top three with her version of the 1989 Sampaguita hit “Nosi Ba Lasi,” Janine emerged victorious after earning the highest number of the judge’s scores and text votes combined with 96.11 percent for her Bamboo medley with the songs “Tatsulok,” “Hallelujah” and “Noypi.”

She beat Mindanao’s Ato Arman from Bukidnon, who finished second, and California, USA’s Steven Paysu at third who earned 74.27 percent and 61.80 percent, respectively. Ato received P500,000 while Steven got P250,000.

The second among four siblings, Janine’s small frame and unassuming smile made for a powerful contrast as she rocked out to Yano’s “Banal Na Aso, Santong Kabayo” and Kamikazee’s “Narda” among other Pinoy rock hits during her daily performances and throughout the semifinals.

Her indulging and lingering raspy voice also brought flair, drama and emotion to songs like “Edge of Glory” by Lady Gaga, “With A Smile” by Eraserheads, and Demi Lovato’s “Skyscraper,” to mention a few, often earning standing ovations from the crowd. On separate occasions, she brought judge Ogie Alcasid and host Vice Ganda to tears with her performance.

With a unique voice, Janine was even dubbed by judge and Pop Rock Princess Yeng Constantino as “the new sound of OPM” while gushing her praises for the young lady’s “Nosi Ba Lasi” rendition.

It seems that this greatness was written in the stars from the very beginning as Janine is no stranger to the life of a performer. The teenager, who attends St. Joseph’s School of Mactan, first stepped into the limelight when she became the fourth female semifinalist in the fourth season of “Star Circle Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Superstars.” From there, she was endorsed to ABS-CBN talent management arm Star Magic and has appeared in a number of “Wansapanataym” and “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episodes since.

The ukulele and guitar player also had her share of rejections. Janine had auditioned to compete for “The Voice Kids Philippines,” but no dice. Last year, she also auditioned for Tawag ng Tanghalan, but lady luck wasn’t on her side just yet. Perhaps Janine was being prepared for her own time in the sun, as fellow Visayan Noven Belleza won that year.

Janine, who looks up to Eraserheads and KZ Tandingan, is proof that there is a time and season for everything. With hard work and a lot of nerve, you just might have your dream in the bag.

“Sobrang overwhelmed po ako kasi pangarap ko po ito, passion ko po. Sobrang blessed po ako sa lahat ng sumusuporta tsaka naniniwala sa akin,” Janine said in an ABS-CBN interview.

“Hindi ko po ito maaabot kung wala po kayo kaya maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo.”