Jed Madela will become the first Filipino to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), ranking him alongside renowned actress-singer Liza Minnelli.
"Nagulat nga ako when I got the news from World Championships a few weeks ago na ihahanay na nila ako sa Hall of Fame nila as one of the artsits nila na ina-award nila," the 32-year-old singer told ABS-CBN News on Friday.
In 2005, Madela became the first Filipino to win as grand champion in the WCOPA, besting 3,000 other international contestants. He has since released six albums under Universal Records. Currently, he is a contract artist of ABS-CBN's record label Star Records.
"Nalaman ko na I'm the first Filipino and first na contestant ng World Championships na ii-induct nila sa Hall of Fame, at nung nalaman ko 'yung line up ng na-induct na nila doon, mas lalo akong sumaya bigla," he said.
According to Madela, previous WCOPA Hall of Fame inductees and recipients of the organization's Achievement Award include Minnelli; Daniel Marmarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil; and American singer Dionne Warwick.
Madela is the first contestant in the WCOPA to also receive its Achievement Award. "To be inducted sa Hall of Fame, sobrang laking gift for me for this 2013," he said.
The Kapamilya singer said he will return to Los Angeles in July to personally receive the award during the 17th annual WCOPA. According to WCOPA's official website, Madela will also perform during the awarding ceremony on July 19.
Int'l projects
Madela was also recently chosen by Japanese filmmakers to sing the theme song, "Beautiful Light", of the acclaimed Japanese film "The Final Judgment".
The champion balladeer performed on Friday night at the SM Megamall in Ortigas during the red-carpet premiere of the film, which dramatizes regional uncertainties from current territorial disputes in Asia.
Producer Ryuho Okawa and other Japanese filmmakers based their choice of Madela on a YouTube clip. The upbeat song is a refreshing break from his predominantly balladeer musical style in the concert variety program "ASAP".
Calling it a singular honor, Madela said he also hopes that the break will also open new doors for him in Japan.
On Friday, Madela also announced a new recording deal in the United States which will hopefully herald an international career for him. -- Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News
source: abs-cbnnews.com
