Last January 9, 2014, Iloilo PRISAA Tertiary Winners traveled to San Jose, Antique for the Western Visayas Regional PRISAA Meet, which was participated by all the provinces in Region VI, which included Capiz, Kalibo, Antique, and Negros Occidental. Among the group of PRISAA Winners were two Paulinians, Nikki Angelli O. Minsalan and Mary Lord J. Salinas, who won the VOCAL DUET POP last November 2013 while competing with 7 other private colleges in Iloilo. After the victory last November, our two Paulinians once again brought home the bacon, winning as CHAMPIONS against four other provincial representatives.
(From right to left) Mary Lord, Mrs. Ang, and Nikki Angelli took their certificate.
The Vocal Duet competition took place in St. Anthony’s College in San Jose, Antique. Together with Mary Lord and Nikki Angelli were their parents and supportive coaches, Mrs. Ninfa Ang and Mr. Carlo Jaca–both teachers from the College of Arts and Sciences of the University. The duo sang a timeless song, Habang May Buhay, filling the evening with their beautiful rendition, warm blending, and excellent execution.
Mary Lord started singing at the age of two and competed in singing contests at 8. Nikki meanwhile discovered her talent in singing at 6th grade and has been singing in competitions since then. Their paths crossed when they were in Grade 4 in a renowned respectable elementary school in Iloilo City. Since then, Mary Lord and Nikki were inseparable. However, it was in high school when both ventured to singing as duo. Their first performance was singing Skyscraper by Demi Lovato from which they received praise and encouragement to continue singing as a duo. With continuous support from friends, both dreamed to sing as a duo and eventually have an album–their high school dream. With such friendship and talent like theirs, surely that dream is not impossible. The passion of both is apparent in their singing. Heart to heart–their voices move people.
When asked what this victory meant, their coach, Mrs. Ninfa Ang, said, “After all the trials that we underwent, this is the prize of our effort due to patience, perseverance, and support of the SPUI community.” Nikki and Mary Lord meanwhile were thankful for the support of SPUI especially by their two coaches and their numerous friends and supporters like Don King Valdesco, Ailyn Regalado, Shaira Alba, Trista Viray, Kate Capule, and Lou Fandagan. “Without them,” Nikki added, “we wouldn’t have reached this far. Their support and encouragement mean a lot.”
When asked what song best represent them, Mary Lord answered, “I believe I can fly by R. Kelly” and Nikki answered, “If I ain’t got you by Alicia Keys.” When asked what advice they would give to aspiring singers, Nikki answered, “Keep practicing. Chase what you want. Don’t mind what other people tell you because only you can make the choice of making your dream happen.”
Nikki Angelli is currently taking up AB Mass Communication and envisions herself to be a successful newscaster in the future, while Mary Lord took a different road, and is now studying to be a physical therapist. Despite the different roads both have taken, their friendship continues to blossom and their passion for singing has never wavered.
Nikki and Mary Lord, your Paulinian family is so proud of you!
