Beginning of A New Journey: Christiana Agarap, Bags Home Medals in WCOPA 2022

by Charlotte Macabuag

Ms. Christiana Agarap – a Grade 10 Divinian – participated in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) competition as a member of Team Philippines held last July 22 to July 30, 2022, in Anaheim, California, USA. She was eligible to partake in the aforementioned event, when she applied to join the team back in 2019.

In October 2019, Agarap auditioned as a vocalist and as a pianist at SM Lipa Activity Center, Lipa City, Batangas. According to her, the scenario had left a lasting impression for all members of her family, since the doctor had told her mother that the fetus inside her womb had its heart stopped beating at the same moment.

Agarap and her co-members were informed about the competition to take place in 2020, but unfortunately, it got postponed because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, WCOPA had the creativity to have a virtual competition in 2021, and with her skills, she brought home three medals! A Bronze medal for Vocal-Gospel; a Silver medal for Vocal Self-Accompaniment in Rhythm and Blues; and another Silver medal for Instrumental-Classical.

Preparing for the competition, she attended numerous boot camps, briefings, and spent a handful of hours practicing piano with her teachers and voice coaches, including the iconic and phenomenal Manong Jed Madela who won in the WCOPA 2007 as a Senior Performer and Senior Vocalist of the World. She also added that as a representative of Team Philippines, she was granted the chance to attend the Blue-Jacket Ceremony.

Despite the joy of being in the land of milk and honey, it was difficult for her since she had to adjust to the foreign climate and the significant time difference. Not to mention that her classes had begun; in addition to participating in competitions during the day, she was also attending lectures and studying in the evening.

Instrumentalist Contemporary, Instrumentalist Classical, Vocal Self-Accompaniment Contemporary, Vocal Self-Accompaniment Contemporary, Vocal Self-Accompaniment Gospel, and Vocal Self-Accompaniment Pop were the five categories she competed in during the preliminary rounds. She was delighted and elated when she made it to the Instrumental Contemporary Semi-Finals because she doubted doing so as a first-timer on the international stage. She later made it to the Grand Finals, where she was the lone representative of the country.

In the abovementioned contest, she garnered six medals and a badge. These are the following: Grand Finalist Gold Medal and Semi-Finals Badge. Three Silver medals for Contemporary Self-accompaniment, Contemporary Instrumental, and Classical Instrumental. And two Bronze medals for Pop Vocal Self-accompaniment and Gospel Vocal Solo-accompaniment.

Further they were offered the opportunity to participate in these so-called "go sees'' during the competition. Team USA, which is primarily composed of Filipinos, invited Agarap to come to New York and apply for scholarships at the prestigious Fiorello H. Laguardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts where Al Pacino, Beyonce, and other children of Hollywood stars attend, she was also invited by the New York Film Academy to study in their esteemed school for college. Filipino communities offered her free accommodation and guidance should she decide to pursue her studies at F.H LaGuardia High School.

On a final note, Ms. Christiana quoted, “Life is full of mysteries, always be curious and always have faith in what you are passionate about. There is always a bump in the road, but sometimes we have to roll over it to pass through.” By entering this competition with the help of her family members, relatives, and her friends who supported her along the way, she claims that this is a fresh beginning for her journey in pursuit of Music.