Filipino Canadian teen gets first-ever platinum ticket from ‘American Idol’

By evangeline valderraMa Inquirer.net

FILIPINO platinum ticket of the American Idol’s 21st season with his soulful rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” all while playing the piano.

Venegas, who was one of the contestants in Season 2 of ABS-CBN’s The Voice Teens, wowed Idol judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan as he confidently hit each riffs and runs, his voice curling and doing slow vibrato.

The performance of this 17-year old native of Vancouver, Canada was so powerful that Richie quipped that he needed to validate if he was indeed just a teenager as he said.

Richie asked Venegas’ mom, Iris, to verify his age. “He’s claiming to be 17-years-old, but he’s performing like a 45-year-old.”

Venegas’ mom told him that one of her son’s first concerts was Richie’s. “He was inspired by you, and that’s when he learned to sing from his heart.” ngayon,” the actor added.

(When I come home from work, we never talk about showbiz. Not even once. We never talk about if a certain celebrity is beautiful or kind. We don’t even talk about the projects that I’m doing at the moment. We talk about normal things. Just problems at home, and what needs to be fixed. It’s because my siblings are with me, my nephews and nieces see me as their father. I may have a grandmother but I’m the head of the family now.)

The “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” star was also asked how he manages to resist temptation in the industry, where he mentioned that his hard work is a reminder to not be involved in entertaining certain desires.

“Mahirap nga po. Ako naman sabi ko nga ang lahat naman ng tao, lalo na bilang lalaki, dadaan at dadaan diyan. Pero sa akin kasi, kapag nagmature na, makikita mo rin ‘yung magiging kapalit, lalo na ngayon. Pag ikaw, gumawa ka ng isang pagkakamali, lahat ng pwedeng pinaghirapan mo, lahat ‘yun malulusaw lang,” he said.

(It’s hard. For me, everyone has a stage where they’re faced with temptation, especially as a man. But for me, when you mature, you eventually realize

Continued on Page 9

‘Iconic’: Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez repeat concert, live at Pechanga Resort Casino March 19

BOWING to numerous requests, Philippine Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez will once again hold a backto-back concert dubbed “Iconic,” on March 19 at 6 p.m., at Pechanga Resort Casino.

Similar successful ‘Iconic’ performances were held in Manila in 2019 and the past year in other key states in America. And again, the Pechanga concert forms part of the duo’s U.S. concert tour for 2023.

Pechanga Resort Casino is well-known for hosting only the best and the brightest Filipino entertainers and performers aimed to provide the ultimate experience especially to its Filipino-American patrons.

Cuneta is not only a multi-awarded actress but her talent spans to singing where most of the ballad songs she rendered made waves in the Filipino movie and song industries.

Velasquez, on the other hand, is a prime performer, and has built a niche for herself, even reaching the consciousness of the United States’ Filipino-American population. Her unparalleled singing talent has inspired local performers to emulate her unique vocals.

Together, these phenomenal icons and singing sensations – Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez – will join forces one more time, to perform on stage at the Pechanga Resort Casino on March 19, 2023. The North America Music Tour 2023 is produced by Louie Ocampo and Raul Mitra.

It’s definitely a date! Don’t miss this magical milestone as Sharon & Regine’s Iconic II Concert duet deliver sentimental songs full of memories that have topped most playlists for decades.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States.

Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering 5,400 of hottest slots, 152 table games, a 1,100 room and suite hotel, dining, luxury spa, and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook and on Twitter @PechangaCasino. (Advertising Supplement)

“We’ve flipped the switch now. I inspired him back then, he just inspired us today. Let me tell you, that performance was spot-on professional,” said Richie.

“You sang notes and runs that I haven’t felt in my body in a long time, and I felt so connected, I feel so alive,” said Perry.

Bryan, for his part, told Venegas: “You are exactly what we look for, what we pray for.”

Platinum ticket

Because of Venegas’ impeccable performance, he was awarded the first ever platinum ticket, which Richie said would mean that he could “coast through one whole week of Hollywood week.”

The exclusive platinum ticket, introduced only last year by American Idol, will be given through the audition round. This is expectedly higher than the golden ticket that is usually given to contestants who are able to advance to the next round after an impressive performance. For Venegas, this means that he need not join the first round of performances during the Hollywood week and be able to watch from the sidelines.