Fil-Belgian, partner win 'Belgium's Got Talent'

ANTWERP – An emotional roller-coaster.

This was how Filipino-Belgian Ian Lodens and his friend, Natashca Van Es, described their journey before and after winning the 2018 edition of "Belgium's Got Talent."

The duo bested 11 other acts with their acrobatic dance routine, and won a cash prize of 50,000 euro.

Watch their winning routine here:


Lodens, 19, was emotional after they were announced as winners, and later praised their competitors as excellent performers and deserving of their spot in the finals.

"I am happy to be a three-time world jujitsu champion, but winning 'Belgium's Got Talent' with Natascha is just fantastic," he said. "I never expected this, and it feels so great."

"With the prize, I would visit the Philippines with my mum, use some of it with the family, and the rest, I'll save it for my future," he added.

Van Es, on the other hand, believes her years of training in acrobatics seasoned her for the competition. She added that they connected well with the audience.

"It was a strong line-up in the finals, with 11 other great acts," said Van Es. "So it really came unexpected."

"We gave everything on that stage for the last time, and I think we managed to make the audience emotionally involved, that we just made this tiny chance to win," she added.


Loden's Filipina mother was still shocked at the result, noting how stiff the competition was. However, she did not forget those who supported the duo in their "BGT" journey.

"Salamat po sa lahat ng mga Belgian at mga kababayan kong Pinoy na sumuporta kina Ian at Natascha. Napakalaking tulong po ang nagawa nyo para sila ay manalo," she said.

What's next for the pair? Aside from TV and radio interviews, Lodens and Van Es will also be busy preparing for their school exams in June.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Pinoy 'Gangnam' dancer a finalist at Belgium's Got Talent

MANILA – Remember the cute little boy who charmed the judges and audience in a talent search in Belgium? Well, he made it, at least to the finals.

Tristan Pangilinan, the boy who danced to Korean sensation's Psy's Gangnam Style, was a finalist at Belgium's Got Talent last year.

Although the five-year old was the only finalist who garnered the highest text votes, the title went to another contestant.

"Disappointed kami na si Tristan ay hindi nanalo sa Belgium Got Talent pero proud pa rin kaming mga Pilipino na siya ay nakapasok sa finals," said the boy's supporter Merchy Nocal Vancauteren.

Nevertheless, he and his family are still happy with what he had achieved on the show. They are likewise thankful to all those who supported the boy during the show.

The boy said he will use his talent to the Philippines.

"Gusto kong tumulong sa Pilipinas," he said.

In fact, before the talent show's finals, Pangilinan and another talented Pinay named Maria, who is among the semi-finalists of The Voice Belgium, raised more than 25,000 euros or half a million pesos, during a benefit gig for victims of super typhoon Yolanda. Report from Raquel Bernal-Crisostomo, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com