Roel got 30.22% of the combined online and text votes, or four points higher than metal ring dancer Frankendal Fabroa (26.07%). MP3 band (17.48%) placed third.
The 13-year-old belter jumped for joy and quickly ran towards his family immediately after his name was read by Kris Aquino as the grand winner. He was awarded with the P2 million grand prize by Big Three judges Kris, Ai Ai Delas Alas, Freddie “FMG” Garcia, and ABS-CBN head of TV Production Laurenti Dyogi.
When asked what he will do with the money, the shy and overwhelmed Roel shortly quipped in Filipino, “I can finally have our house rebuilt.”
Runners up also received a cash prize of P100,000 each while the three remaining grand finalists – D Intensity Breakers, Zilent Overload, and Lateral Drift Productions- didn’t go home empty-handed as they received P50,000 each.
More viewers tuned in for the big announcement after PGT topped the list of most watched programs nationwide last Sunday (June 2), according to Kantar Media, and hit a national TV rating of 30.2%, beating rival “Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho” with 17.8%. PGT also won the ratings game last Saturday (June 1) with 30.6% vs “Celebrity Bluff” with 11.4%.
Roel first created a buzz online when his video singing Whitney Houston’s classic hit “I Will Always Love You” hit more than 2 million views on video-sharing site YouTube. A son of a carpenter and plain housewife, Roel faced a major tragedy in his life when their house was washed out during typhoon Pablo. With Roel’s victory, he plans to rebuild their lives and start anew.
Before the nerve-wrecking announcement, the PGT final results night was opened with an explosive dance number from the and one and only comedy queen Ai Ai.
PGT grand finalists also shared the stage with guest performers namely Zsa Zsa Padilla, Zia Quizon, KZ Tandingan, Jhong Hilario, and the Streetboys.
Past PGT grand winners Jovit Baldivino, Marcelito Pomoy, and the Maasinhon Trio, on the other hand, returned to the PGT stage with powerful song numbers and proudly shared how PGT realized their dreams and changed their lives.
“Pilipinas Got Talent,” hosted by Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford, is a Philippine adaptation of the worldwide hit “Got Talent” franchise, owned by Fremantle Media, that have catapulted talented acts from across the globe to both local and international stardom. The phenomenon of singers winning is not unique to the Philippines. Singers have been winning in other territories as well like the US, Australia, Chile, and Slovenia.
Watch the “Pilipinas Got Talent” grand finalists together with the biggest Kapamilya stars perform in a one-night-only concert “You Got It! Kuwentong Talent Ito” airing this Saturday (June 8) after “MMK” on ABS-CBN. Guest stars include Jovit Baldivino, Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan, Erik Santos, Maasinhon Trio, Angeline Quinto, Marcelito Pomoy, Frenchie Dy, Sam Concepcion, Markki Stroem, Jem Cubil, Buildex, K Brosas, Paul Salas, Ella Cruz, Neilbeth, Rayver Cruz, John Prats, Thou Reyes, Happy Feet, the Azkals, Malditas, Merlito Sabillo, Jayvee Agojo, Venus Raj, Shamcey Supsup, Janine Tugonon, Keana Reeves, Ruben Gonzaga, Slater Young, Myrtle Sarrosa, Ejay Falcon, and Nene Tamayo.
