(from left) P/Sr Insp Edwin L. Serrano, Sgt Federico P. Andagan Jr., Rex Pili, PO3 Jannet T. Cadayona, AW1C Mylin S. Estojero, PFC Malou P. Villanezo-Eslaga, TSG Wilhelmo S. Celestial, Ensign Melchor N. Sorillano and P/Sr Insp Edwin L. Serrano

MANILA, Philippines — On Feb. 2 at the Music Musem, the best of the nation’s singing cops and soldiers showcase their talents for a cause and compete against one another in the first ever “AMWSLAI AFP-PNP Singing Stars Battle of the Champions.”

Eleven of these musically gifted men and women in uniform will also be raising funds for families and dependents of their comrades who, said Air Materiel Wing Savings and Loan Association (AMWSLAI) Chairman and President Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco, PAF (ret.), “have sacrificed their lives in the pursuit of their noble mission of serving, protecting and defending the Filipinos and the Philippine flag.”

Ticket prices for the cause-worthy show are P5,000, P2,000 and P1,000.

Noted jazz artist Arthur Manuntag directs the two-hour show which will promptly start at 8 p.m. Jericho Rosales will be the guest performer.

Sec. Jesse M. Robredo of the Department of the Interior and Local Government has been invited as guest of honor and speaker.

Presently, AMWSLAI, a non-stock savings and loan association, has about 230,000 members and assets of P26 billion.

“Every year,” Col. Nolasco said, “the competition is so fierce that the judges always have a hard time deciding on the winners. We have an inexhaustible goldmine of exceptional singers in the military.”

Elimination round was held last December while panel of judges includes Dulce and Manuntag selecting 11 to advance to the final showdown.

Four of the finalists represent the Army, three from the National Police, two from the Air Force, and one each from the Navy and the Department of National Defense.

They are: AW1C Mylin S. Estojero (PAF), 31, champion of ABS-CBN’s “Sing Ala Donna Cruz” contest in 1996, third in GMA-7’s Singing Soldier 2000, and third in the 2010 AMWSLAI Search for Singing Star.

AW1C Zarah S. Francisco (PAF), 27, first runner-up in the 2009 AMWSLAI Search for Singing Star.

SGT. Federico P. Andagan (PA),35, AMWSLAI’s singing champion in 2009 and winner of the seventh ID Battle of the Bands in 2010 with his group.

TSG Wilhelmo S. Celestial, 36 (PA), “Eat Bulaga’s” champion singing soldier in 1997 and AMWSLAI’s 2000 titlist.

PFC Efraim B. Rivera, 24 (PA), second runner-up both in the 2010 AMWSLAI Search for Singing Star and in the Search for PAFCFIC Singing Idol.

PFC Malou P. Villanezo-Eslaga (PA), 25, winner of the 2010 AMWSLAI Search For Singing Star.

PO3 Jannet T. Cadayona (PNP), 37, winner of the 2008 AMWSLAI Search for Singing Star.

SPO2 Reynaldo delos Reyes (PNP), 48, second runner-up in the 2007 AMWSLAI Search and winner of the PNP Singing Policemen contest.

P/SR INSP Edwin L. Serrano (PNP), 42, eight-week champion of the now defunct Tanghalan ng Kampeon and 2007 AMWSLAI search champion.

ENSIGN Melchor N. Sorillano (PN), 46, first “Eat Bulaga’s” singing soldier winner, four-week champion of the now defunct Pasikatan sa Trese and seven-week champion of the former Tanghalan ng Kampeon.

Rex Pili (Department of National Defense), 40, second runner-up in the 1995 Panasonic Quest for the Best, first runner-up in the 2000 AMWSLAI Search and first runner-up in the 2004 “Eat Bulaga’s” Birit King.

UP recital set today

Today at 6:30 p.m., baritone Joseph Legaspi will perform “Ouverture de L’ame (Opening To My Soul)” at the Abelardo Hall Auditorium, UP College of Music which is presenting the concert.

The recital, Legaspi’s first at Abelardo Hall since leaving for his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, coincides with the release of his debut CD, “Songs from Home: Art Songs and Folk Songs from the Philippines.”

Legaspi is a 1999 National Competition for Young Artists and 2002 Y’s Men International Classical Singer of the Year winner. He moved to the United States shortly after receiving his Diploma in Voice from UP, where he studied with Prof. Ma. Cecilia Valeña, and is currently working toward a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Indiana University.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 25, go to Lolita Rodriguez, Dra. Vicki Belo, Lito Bermundo, Bimbo Cerrudo, Julio Locsin, Mrs. Anita Cuevas, Eddie David Jr., Pablo Gomez, Merla V. Grupp, Dr. Antonio Jalcon, twins Ben and Alfred Ramos, Efren Chua Yap, Erly Dungo and Rose Salvania of PCSO, Ricardo Liwanag, Edgar Cruz, Tess Gubi of Star Magic, Nyoy Volante and GMA-7 star Yasmien Kurdi… Happy wedding anniversary to former Rep. and Mrs. Dante Liban…