Three Bicolanos in the finals – (from left) Ensign Mel Sorillano (ret.) of Dolorosa, Nabua, Camarines Sur; TSg Willy S. Celestial of Gulang-Gulang, Irosin, Sorsogon; and former National Defense employee Rex Pili of Bato, Camarines Sur

MANILA, Philippines — Soldiers choose a different battleground tonight.

Eleven finalists participate in a sing-off starting at 8 o’clock at the Music Museum during the Air Materiel Wing Savings and Loan Association (AMWSLAI) battle for the grand prize in the AMWSLAI AFP-PNP Battle of the Champions, a benefit songfest for families and dependents of hordes of fallen soldiers and cops.

AMWSLAI President and Board Chairman Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco Jr, PAF (ret.) says AMWSLAI, through the competition, “is joining the Philippine National Police in its celebration on its 21st Foundation Day of the gallantry of its officers and men who died in the line of duty.”

Proceeds of the show will also go to the uniformed men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines who were felled by rebel and terrorist bullets in strife-torn Mindanao.

A known music aficionado, Col. Nolasco is as nervous and tense as the Battle of the Champions contestants.

Col. Nolasco vouched for the exceptional talents of the contestants who are representing the PNP, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and the Department of the National Defense.

“Most of the contestants are not young anymore so they look at the contest as their last shot at fame and, quite possibly, fortune as well. They have been waiting on the wings for so long for the one big break to come their way. ”

The average age of the finalists is 35.5 years, the youngest being PFC Efraim B. Rivera of the Army at 24. SPO2 Reynaldo P. delos Reyes is the oldest at 48. Three more, considered strong title contenders by Battle of the Champions director and jazz artist Arthur Manuntag are at least 40. They are Rex Pili (DND), 40, AMWSLAI SSS 2000 first runner-up, “Eat Bulaga’s” Birit King 2004 runner-up, and Panasonic Quest for the Best 1995 second runner-up; P/Sr Insp. Edwin L. Serrano (PNP), 42, AMWSLAI SSS 2001 winner; and retired Ensign Melchor N. Sorillano (Navy), 46, “Eat Bulaga” Singing Soldier 1986 titlist, four-week champion of Pasikatan sa Trese, and seven-week champion of Tanghalan ng Kampeon.

The other contenders are PO3 Jannett Cadayona, Sgt. Federico P. Andagan Jr., PFC Malou V. Eslaga, AW1C Zarah S. Francisco, AW1C Mylin S. Estojero, and TSg Willy Celestial.

Col. Nolasco doesn’t envy the job of the panel of judges led by Prof. Raul M. Sunico, dean of the UST Conservatory of Music.

Sitting in the panel with Prof. Sunico are former Pres. Estrada, ex-First Lady Imelda Marcos, US Consul General Mike Schimmel, musician Moy Ortiz of the Company, Central Affirmative Co. President and CEO Joel Cruz, Joseph Calata of the Calata Group of Companies and entertainment editors Ricky Lo of the Philippine Star, Emmie Velarde of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Eugene Asis of People’s Journal, and yours truly.

Faith Plays At The Fiesta Casino

Faith Cuneta returns to the gig scene after seven long years. She is set to perform all Thursday’s of February 2012 at the Thunderbird Resort – Fiesta Casino in Rizal.

Faith will perform song hits: “Di ko Na Kaya,” (“Endless Love 2”), “Pag-ibig Ko’y Pansinin” (“Stairway to Heaven”), “Pangarap Na Bituin” (“Jewel in the Palace”), “Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin” (TV5’s “Babaeng Hampaslupa”), “Hiram” (TV5’s “The Sisters”) and her latest hit “Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin” from TV5’s “Glamorosa.”

She is also expected to perform covers of hits by Air Supply, Patti Austin, Barbra Streisand and OPM artists.

Faith has an album available right now under PolyEast Records called “Twist of Faith,”which includes singles “Dito Sa Puso Ko” and “Paano Kaya.”

Follow Faith on Twitter “faithcunetalive” and like her on Facebook Faith Cuneta.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 2, go to Lloyd Samartino, Jay Aquitania, Ballroom Queen Aida M. Posadas, JC Bonnin, Nello Nayo, Dante Nagtalon, Monette Ejercito, Serafin Buan, Cornelio de Guzman, Ruther Batuigas, Maning Salac, Robert Espinosa, Michelle N. Bello, Engr. Emerson Visaya, US-based beautician Puring Nuguid, Charito Ong, Dr. Candy Capellan of UDMC, Carol Tanjutco of New York and my sister London-based Susan M. Almontero… Happy wedding anniversary to Angel and Jules Lopez…