Will she compete with Princess Ariani? This Filipino Contestant Makes AGT Crazy, Gets a Standing Ovation and 4 'YES' Judges

Will she compete with Princess Ariani? This Filipino Contestant Makes AGT Crazy, Gets a Standing Ovation and 4 'YES' Judges

Roland Abante, peserta AGT asal Fil

Roland Abante, AGT participant from the Philippines

 - Roland Abante, a singer and fisherman from the Philippines, made it to the next round on "America's Got Talent" after getting a standing ovation and four "yes" from the judges. 

Abante's performance of Percy Sledge's song "When a Man Loves a Woman" impressed the judges, namely Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Sofia Vergara. 

The performance video can be seen on the talent show's YouTube channel on Wednesday (14/6/2023). 

Prior to the performance, Abante was asked about his work in the Philippines and why he decided to be on "America's Got Talent". 

"In the Philippines, I work as a fisherman in the morning, and in the afternoon, I transport passengers and goods on motorbikes," he said in Bisaya, which was then translated into English quoted on Saturday (17/6/2023). 

"... It's my big dream, to be here," she added through tears. 

The audience gave a standing ovation and stood with the judges after his performance, which moved Abante even more. 

"I think you couldn't do better, I adore you," said Heidi Klum. 

"You should be very proud of yourself," continued the supermodel. 

"I think you should stop fishing because your place should be here," Sofia Vergara told Abante. 

Simon Cowell, on the other hand, admitted that he thought Abante would be nervous and unable to continue with his performance. 

"Actually, that just made me love this audition even more and I really like you," Cowell said as he gave Abante a hug. 

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"That performance was incredible... brilliant," continued Simon Cowel. 

Meanwhile Howie Mandel described Abante's performance as a 'life-changing moment' and stated that they could feel the emotion Abante conveyed through his song. 

Reporting from the Inquirer's page, before participating in "America's Got Talent," Abante also participated in several singing competitions, including "Tawag ng Tanghalan" at the "It's Showtime" event in the Philippines in 2017. 

This made it even more exciting because another participant from Southeast Asia, namely Putri Ariani from Indonesia, also passed the AGT audition. 

Abante himself had to go through several more selection processes to get to the next round. 

Meanwhile, Putri Ariani was able to go straight to the semifinals because she got the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. 

Will these two Southeast Asian singers face off on the same stage and compete to win the AGT 2023? It's worth waiting for the sequel. (*)

Bakal Saingi Putri Ariani? Kontestan Filipina Ini Hebohkan AGT, Dapat Standing Ovation dan 4 'YES' Juri

Roland Abante, peserta AGT asal Filipina

 - Roland Abante, seorang penyanyi dan nelayan asal Filipina, berhasil melaju ke babak selanjutnya di "America's Got Talent" setelah mendapatkan standing ovation dan empat "yes" dari para juri.

Penampilan Abante dengan membawakan lagu "When a Man Loves a Woman" karya Percy Sledge membuat juri-juri, yaitu Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, dan Sofia Vergara, terkesan. 

Video penampilannya dapat dilihat di saluran YouTube acara pencarian bakat ini pada hari Rabu(14/6/2023).

Sebelum tampil, Abante ditanya tentang pekerjaannya di Filipina dan mengapa ia memutuskan untuk mengikuti "America's Got Talent".

"Di Filipina, saya bekerja sebagai seorang nelayan di pagi hari, dan pada sore harinya, saya menjadi pengantar penumpang dan barang dengan sepeda motor," ujarnya dalam bahasa Bisaya yang kemudian diterjemahkan ke dalam bahasa Inggris dikutip Sabtu (17/6/2023).

"... Ini adalah impian besar saya, untuk berada di sini," tambahnya sambil berlinang air mata.

Penonton memberikan tepuk tangan meriah dan berdiri bersama juri-juri setelah penampilannya, yang membuat Abante semakin terharu.

"Saya pikir Anda tidak bisa melakukannya dengan lebih baik, saya kagum padamu," kata Heidi Klum. 

"Anda harus sangat bangga dengan diri sendiri," sambung supermodel tersebut.

"Saya rasa Anda harus berhenti memancing karena tempat Anda seharusnya ada di sini," kata Sofia Vergara kepada Abante.

Simon Cowell, di sisi lain, mengakui bahwa ia berpikir Abante akan gugup dan tidak mampu melanjutkan penampilannya.

"Sebenarnya, hal itu justru membuat saya semakin menyukai audisi ini dan saya sangat menyukai Anda," kata Cowell sambil memberikan pelukan kepada Abante. 

"Penampilan tadi luar biasa... brilian," sambung Simon Cowel.

Sementara Howie Mandel menggambarkan penampilan Abante sebagai 'momen yang mengubah hidup' dan menyatakan bahwa mereka dapat merasakan emosi yang disampaikan Abante melalui lagunya.

Dilansir dari laman Inquirer, sebelum mengikuti "America's Got Talent," Abante juga pernah mengikuti beberapa kompetisi menyanyi, termasuk "Tawag ng Tanghalan" di acara "It's Showtime" di Filipina pada tahun 2017.

Hal ini menambah seru karena peserta lain dari Asia Tenggara, yakni Putri Ariani dari Indonesia juga lolos audisi AGT.

Abante sendiri harus melalui beberapa proses seleksi lagi untuk sampai di babak selanjutnya.

Sementara Putri Ariani dapat langsung ke semifinal karena mendapat Golden Buzzer dari Simon Cowell.

Apakah kedua penyanyi Asia Tenggara ini akan berhadapan dalam satu panggung yang sama dan bersaing menjadi juara AGT 2023? Patut ditunggu kelanjutannya. (*)