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Saipan – Three of Mariana’s own contestants won the top three seats in Marianas Got Talent. Contestants performed with great skills, but only three placed in the top with titles and cash prizes.
Third place winner Bernice Shane Sabino came in third with an $1,100 cash prize.
Coming in second is Donato Santiago, who got in with a last minute notice when his mom signed him up for the contest. That last minute sign up, and great talent eventually led to a $1,300 cash prize. The video shown below is a song Santiago highlighting his vocal ability.
The first place for the 2023 Mariana’s Got Talent goes to Sebastian Tajibmai winning the title and a cash prize of $1,500.
Tajibmai later told Saipan Tribune he is stunned and feels emotional because he had not been expecting to win first place
“Actually I was banking on third place,” he laughed.
Along with the season’s winners, Donovan P. Castro was awarded the People’s Choice Award for having the most activity on his Facebook video at the semifinals.
The finale itself was a grand spectacle, including performances by the 14 finalists and judges Tom Basa and Leo Pangelinan. The venue was not only packed with an estimated 600 people, it was also alive with shrieking cheers and signs of support for the 14 finalists. There were also 189 virtual attendees watching live via Facebook.
Aside from Tajibmai, Sabino, and Santiago, great performances were carried out by the other finalists: Jessel Antonio, Ronilo de Belen, Arriane Antonio, Raniel Santos, Azenith Madelo-Avila, Lorenzy Leo, Zoe Stephanson, Donovan Castro, Dwayne Castro, Dean Borja, and Robby Murillo.
Tajibmai shared that his goal from the start was to encourage other talented people to showcase their skills, and now, with some people—even total strangers—coming up to him and appreciating him is so meaningful. “It let me know that I am making progress and we’re getting somewhere,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to all his supporters and family that had been with him since the start of his MGT journey, and all his fellow contestants and MGT staff. He feels like he had gained family and friends for life. “I appreciate you all. I wouldn’t have the confidence to go on stage without the support of my people, so thank you,” he said.
Although MGT is currently planning which national TV competitions the winners will be going to, wherever that may be, Tajibmai says he plans to remain true and stick to originals, whether doing his own songs or covers with his own twist.
Videos shown were from the Youtube Channel Island Image & Motion CNMI. Videos of the contestants are not their final performance.