CEU grad wins Pinoy K-pop Star contest

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MANILA — Jean Kiley Manguera won in the recently concluded Pinoy K-pop Star Contest organized by the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC). She will represent the country in the 2014 K-pop World Festival in Changwon, South Korea in October.

Manguera bested nine other contestants. She did her own version of “Ice Flower” which was originally sung by K-pop star Ailee. She was supposed to represent the country last year, but it did not push through.

“Sobrang saya po. Second chance ko na po ito to go to Korea,” said Manguera.

Manguera is a mass communication graduate from the Centro Escolar University (CEU) in Manila. She is a performing arts major. Her love for singing started when she was 10 years old. At the young age of 14, she is already performing in malls and bars. Currently, she is a regular performer at the Heritage Hotel and at the Mall of Asia Veranda.

She is a fan of local singers Sarah Geronimo, Toni Gonzaga, and Gary Valenciano. For foreign singers, Manguera idolizes Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera, and Korea’s Ailee and 2NE1.

Aside from Manguera, Team AMMA made up of Andrea and Melissa Camba and Jennifer Cedeno, Kathleen Abilo and Marietel Martinez of Team Armonia won first and second place, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the dance category, Se-Eon will represent the Philippines.

The yearly K-pop festival in Incheon is spearheaded by the Visit Korea community. It is done in association with Incheon Asian Games. The event aims to raise awareness and encourage tourists to visit South Korea.