2007 Karaoke World Championship Winners Julie Walter-Sgro and Lu Hee Wah
Laugh at the title, but it really is true!
The Karaoke World Championships began in 2003 with 7 countries participating, and as of 2007, it features nearly 30 countries worldwide. There are national trials conducted by each participating country every year, and the winners (one male and one female) are sent to the international finals for the Karaoke World Championships.
The Karaoke World Championships finals were held in Finland from 2003 until 2005, and in 2006, the finals were held aboard the M/S Galaxy while cruising the Baltic sea from Helsinki to Estonia. In 2007, the finals were held in Thailand. In 2008, it returns to Finland.
Last year’s champions were Julie Walter-Sgro (female, Australia) and Lu Hee Wah (male, Malaysia)
The participating countries include USA, UK, Thailand, Malaysia, Russia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Austria, Canada, China, Germany, Finland (of course!), Kuwait, Kenya, South Africa and so much more. BUT! (And a very BIG BUT HERE!) there is no Philippines!!!
Yup, our Southeast Asian neighbors – Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong – are all represented, but there is still no Philippines. Hmmm. Well, not for long.
Enterprising businessman Nino Villongco has taken the initiative of including the Philippines in the 2008 Karaoke World Championships which will be held form October 23rd to October 25th, 2008 in Lahti, Finland. Nino Villongco owns the franchise for the Philippine Karaoke Championships, which will be the official body that will send one male and one female representative to the Karaoke World Championships every year starting 2008.
At present, Nino Villongco is getting things together with sponsors, business partners and media partners in order to hold a series of events between August to September in order to be able to award the Karaoke Philippine champions the privilege to represent the country in the Karaoke World Championships. Think American Idol with an international stage.
Anyway, the Philippines Fun Wall will be announcing the event dates soon, but time is of the essence. Nino Villongco hopes that the elimination events will start soon, so we can get headed to the Karaoke Philippine Grand Finals and come up with the two winners, and also to give these two winners some time to practice before heading to the Karaoke World Championships in Finland.
Nino Villongco envisions this event to be growing annually in participation volume, and also in terms of event revenue. Of course, not to mention the fact that the Philippines can seriously bring home a Gold Medal in Karaoke World Championships.
So who can join? Well, as long as you’re not signed in as a recording artist with any professional recording label, then I guess you’re qualified. I believe you can read more about the requirements in the official site of the Karaoke World Championships.
Meanwhile, keep visiting the Philippines Fun Wall to find out more on the upcoming events. Also, take a peek into a glimpse of the Karaoke World Championship by checking out the video summarizing the events of the 2007 Karaoke World Championships, held in Thailand.
Philippines Fun Wall 