TNT SayaOke unveils 48 Regional finalists, with Lyca Gairanod and Krissha Viaje joining the nationwide singing competition

Aspiring singers from across the Philippines are getting a chance to showcase their talent as TNT and Viva officially introduced the 48 finalists of TNT SayaOke, a nationwide digital singing competition powered by TNT 5G.

The announcement was made during a joint media conference held at Greyhound Cafe in Ayala Triangle, where representatives of the participating brands and featured performers gathered to present the competition and its selected finalists. Joining the launch were singers Lyca Gairanod and Krissha Viaje, who brought added excitement to the event as the program prepared to put emerging vocal talents from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in the spotlight.

Designed to discover and support aspiring Filipino singers, TNT SayaOke allows participants to perform through a digital platform and compete for prizes that include cash rewards, 5G devices, and a recording contract with Viva Music Publishing.

The competition received thousands of entries submitted through the Vivaoke mobile app. From these submissions, 48 finalists were selected to represent the three major island groups: 24 from Luzon, 12 from Visayas, and 12 from Mindanao.

The regional distribution reflects the competition’s nationwide reach and its aim of giving singers from different parts of the country an opportunity to share their abilities with a broader audience.

Powered by TNT 5G, TNT SayaOke combines digital technology and entertainment to create a platform for aspiring performers. Rather than limiting participation to traditional audition venues, the competition uses the Vivaoke mobile app to receive entries from singers across the country.

The selection of the top 48 finalists marks an important stage in the competition, moving the participants from the initial submission process into the live showdown rounds.

The weekly competitions will be broadcast through TikTok Live, allowing viewers to follow the performances online. Through the digital format, TNT SayaOke aims to bring the competition closer to audiences beyond the usual reach of a physical singing contest.

For the finalists, the opportunity goes beyond performing before an online audience. The competition also offers the possibility of winning cash prizes and 5G devices, with a recording contract from Viva Music Publishing among the prizes at stake.

The involvement of Viva adds an entertainment industry dimension to the initiative, particularly for aspiring singers hoping to pursue opportunities in music beyond the competition.

By bringing together entries from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, TNT SayaOke also highlights the range of musical talent found across the country. The 48 selected finalists represent the competition’s effort to provide regional performers with a shared platform where their voices can be heard.

One of the notable personalities at the media conference was Lyca Gairanod, who joined the launch alongside Krissha Viaje.

Gairanod, who rose to national prominence after winning the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines, has recently found renewed attention following the viral resurgence of her song “Puede Nang Mangarap.”

The renewed popularity of the song came as an unexpected development for the singer. During the media conference, she expressed happiness that listeners were connecting with the track and finding inspiration in its message.

“Sobrang happy ko po na nai-inspire sila. Hindi po ako nag-expect talaga. Nagulat na lang din po ako na nagte-trending siya,” Gairanod shared.

Her reaction reflected her surprise at seeing the song gain traction again. While she did not expect the renewed attention, she welcomed the response from listeners, particularly those who found encouragement in its message.

The song’s resurgence also brought attention back to Gairanod and the idea behind its title: the possibility of continuing to dream, regardless of circumstances or timing.

When asked whether it was still possible to pursue one’s dreams, the singer offered an encouraging response.

“Anytime you want… anywhere. Alam mo, ang pag ano sa pangarap, wala namang oras yan eh. Anytime,” she added.

Her answer carried a message of persistence and possibility, emphasizing that pursuing a dream does not have to follow a fixed schedule. The sentiment also resonated with the purpose of TNT SayaOke, which gives aspiring performers an opportunity to take a step toward their musical ambitions.

Beyond the renewed attention surrounding her music, Gairanod also opened up about a personal goal she is working toward: completing her education.

The singer revealed that she has started studying again after taking a break from school. She is now pursuing an accelerated route to Senior High School as she works toward finishing her studies.

“For me kasi nagi-start na ko mag aral. So gusto ko makapagtapos… Stop ako, so nag accelerate ako to Senior High,” she said.

Her decision to return to school adds another dimension to her current journey. Alongside her activities in entertainment, Gairanod is making time to continue her education and work toward a goal she has long wanted to accomplish.

The development also gives another meaning to the renewed attention surrounding “Puede Nang Mangarap.” The song’s message about pursuing dreams is reflected in her own plans, as she works toward completing her studies while continuing her career in music.

Her experience serves as a reminder that personal ambitions can take different forms and that pursuing one goal does not necessarily mean giving up on another.

Krissha Viaje was also part of the media conference and grand launch, joining Gairanod in supporting the introduction of the nationwide singing competition.

Her participation added another familiar name from the local music scene to the event, which centered on providing aspiring singers with a platform to showcase their abilities.

With 48 finalists selected from thousands of submissions, TNT SayaOke now moves into its live competition phase. The weekly TikTok Live showdowns will give the chosen participants an opportunity to perform before an online audience as they compete for the prizes.

The presence of established performers such as Gairanod and Viaje also connected the competition’s search for new talent with the experiences of artists who have pursued careers in music.

TNT SayaOke positions digital technology as a way to make a nationwide singing competition more accessible to aspiring performers. Through the Vivaoke mobile app, singers from different regions were able to submit entries, while the live showdown format will allow audiences to watch the finalists through TikTok Live.

The selection of 24 finalists from Luzon, 12 from Visayas, and 12 from Mindanao gives the competition a regional representation that reflects its nationwide scope.

For the selected participants, the next stage offers an opportunity to demonstrate their vocal abilities and compete for prizes that could support their ambitions in music. The recording contract with Viva Music Publishing also provides a potential pathway toward a professional recording opportunity.

Meanwhile, Gairanod’s appearance brought a personal perspective to the launch, particularly as she discussed the unexpected popularity of “Puede Nang Mangarap” and her decision to return to school. Her message that dreams can be pursued at any time echoed the competition’s objective of giving aspiring singers a chance to take their talents further.

With its 48 finalists preparing for the weekly digital showdowns, TNT SayaOke sets out to bring together emerging voices from across the country and give them a platform to be heard.  (with reports from Lexi Mercader)