KATHLEEN JOY GARCIA ESCOBEDO
Bohol’s Shining Little Star
By Fiel Angeli E. Araoarao – Gabin
Seven years ago, as a very charming five (5) -year-old kinder pupil, she caught the audience’s fancy when she was given the “Most Outstanding Performer†award from among all the recitalists, aside from the “Best Performer for Level 1 – A†trophy during the 2nd Recital of Herliz Music Studio (which I emceed) at Metrocenter Hotel. At that moment, Rosemarie Balandra Nini and Phoebe Barajan Brigoli (who recently married Ezra Laurent from St. Croix, Virgin Islands and Miami, Florida), after seeing the little girl’s remarkable talent, committed to be her voice coaches for years.
Every Sunday, during the 6:00 a.m. mass at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Worker, she, her older brother Christian Ace Niño and sister Kristine Jessa, fulfill their weekly devotion of singing with the Youth Franciscans of the Immaculate (YFI) choir. It is such a great joy for their parents to see their children share their talents for the glory of God.
Born on December to 5, 1993 to Rubio Josol Escobedo (Calape) and Georgie Garcia Escobedo (Talibon) who have always been supportive of their children, Kathleen Joy or “Kathy,†a Grade 6 pupil of Bohol Wisdom School, is a familiar face in town. Definitely, she has had her first taste of show business and “stardom†here in Bohol
According to her Mama Georgie, she wants to collect trophies, that is why she always projects confidence in every competition she joins. In the pre-fiesta entertainment treat “Sambunot sa Awitâ€- Bulilit Category Vocal Singing Contest in Tubigon, Bohol (May 12, 2005), she was the grand champion. Believing in the importance of honing their children’s potentials, Kathy’s parents enrolled her in the speech class of the Fil-Canadian Training and Development Center Summer Enhancement 2005 where she got the first place in the declamation contest at BQ Atrium Entertainment Center (May 21, 2005). Another victory was in the way. In September 2005, her powerful voice and impressive performance won for her the championship trophy of the “Quest for the Voice†– Kids Category Vocal Singing Contest held at the Island City Mall Activity Center. Towards the end of 2005, she competed in the “Tuklas Talino – PLDT Search for Singing Idol†-Kids Category conducted at RCBC Plaza in Makati, Metro Manila on December 3, 2005 and came home as grand champion.
When ABS-CBN Channel 3 of Cebu launched the “Little Big Star†singing tilt hosted by Sheryn Regis of the “Star in A Million†fame, she tried her luck in the competition and was seen all over Visayas and Mindanao as regional winner – Star for the month of February 2006, an honor which ushered her to the national finals of “Little Big Star†Contest of ABS-CBN TV Channel 2 in Manila (which enjoy viewership all over the country and around the world through “The Filipino Channel†(TFC) in May 2006 hosted by Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo. Let’s just say the tides were against her that she was not blessed with the victory she aspired for at that time, but she certainly learned valuable lessons out of that experience.
The previous school years had been equally colorful and productive for Kathy as consistently garnering the first honors in both English and Chinese from Kinder until Grade 5, first place in the vocal solo contest sponsored by the IAC – Talent Search Unlimited in July 2001, August 2002 and August 2003, “Most Participative†during the GMRC Week in October 2003, November 2004 and October 2005, First Achiever in Religious Education in the first grading period of 2003 to 2004, first grading period of 2004 to 2005, second grading period of 2004 to 2005, and third grading period of 2005 to 2006, respectively. Her participation in the Search for Miss Intramurals in September 2005 earned for her the second runner-up trophy.
Indeed, this school year 2006-2007 has been very fruitful for her. Her leadership qualities have given her the position of president of the Student Coordinating Body, vice-governor of the Sports Club, mayor of Grade 6 Yakal, press relations officer of both Math and Homemakers Clubs, and member of the English Club in her school. Last August, she was first place winner of the declamation contest during the Filipino Week, also awarded as “Most Responsible†during the Good Manners and Right Conduct (GMRC) Week and was first honor in the first grading period of the Grade 6 Class.
At 12 years old, she has many great things going for her, especially that she has been chosen to play the character of young “Salud,†the lead role in the Cebuanovela “MILYONARYONG MINI,†under ABS-CBN TV Channel 3 Cebu Production Management and Alba Productions aired every Monday to Friday at 5:00 p.m. at Channel 3 and Channel 10 for cable subscribers. What is so interesting about this girl, said her Papa Rubio, is that she manages to budget her time for guesting commitments here and in Cebu, religious involvements, school activities and quality time with her family.
Among her recent public exposures were the “Milyonaryong Mini†mall shows at SM-Cebu Entertainment Center, guest performances in the “Little Big Star - Cebu†Season 3 grand finals and TV guesting at “Jud Morning!†of ABS-CBN Cebu. In spite of her many commitments, Kathy’s life with her family at St. Joseph Village in Dampas District still remains “simple.†She still listens to the music, sings along with her Papa (who makes it a point to guide her in vocalizing), reads books, plays computer games just like other children her age, even if she has to dabble on assignments and reviews for mastery tests.
Kathy is every parent’s wish, the kind of daughter every father and mother would love to have - sweet, good-natured, responsible, intelligent, beautiful and talented (and with star quality)…Bohol’s shining little star still has more to prove to herself, but with the talent, discipline and positive outlook in life that she has, for sure, her star will continue to shine in the future. (FAEAGABIN)
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