Final Touches Underway Before Talent Search Starts

Writer: Kristele Somera, Telegrafico Researcher: Keisha Neri, Telegrafico

Talent Search 2025 has officially begun. Many contestants, like Arnel Ardade, a first-year BSBA student and singing idol participant, shared how he had been ready since the screening stage. Meanwhile, for others, the road to the stage came with greater hurdles. Dave Les Paul Cervantes, lead guitarist for Up Above, admitted that being a working student made it challenging to balance school, work, and rehearsals.

Meanwhile, Yuri Agraviador, bassist of MMNT’Mori, emphasized how careful preparation erased any anxieties. “Wala naman ngayon kasi, pinaghandaaan talaga namin ngayon,” he confidently said. For them, readiness was not just about avoiding mistakes, but about performing with assurance that every detail had already been worked out.

Even in other highlights of the day, like the Mr. STI, preparation and mental readiness took center stage. For instance, contestant Andrey Tolentino spoke about how he prepared himself not just physically but also mentally. “Sa event need mag refresh at mag review for possible questions. Pag nasa stage, you need to have confidence,” he explained. For Tolentino, confidence and clarity of mind were just as important as appearance or talent.

From performers and pageant contestants to technical teams and organizers, one theme echoed throughout every story shared: talent alone is not enough—true success comes from preparation.