Many amazingly talented Filipinos continue to take center stage in The Pop Stage, the biggest online talent competition in the country created and hosted by singer-actor Matteo Guidicelli with the support of Popeyes Philippines in partnership with Viva Artists Agency.

During the first elimination round, seven contestants from the Top 26 competed and got to show more of their talent and originality, including Martin Naling, with his original poem titled, “Kayamanan;” Luigi D’Avola performed his original song, “If This Were a Dream” as well as Sarah Mae Guno who wrote and sang her song titled, “Awit ng Hinagpis.” There’s also Venisse Nicole Siy who performed her rendition of “Tila Luha” by SB19; Harmon Literal sang Orange & Lemons’ hit song, “Hanggang Kailan;” Sophia Geronimo, covered Neocolours’ classic “Tuloy Pa Rin;” and Jobert Te Rentor, who did an amazing interpretative dance to the song “Gitara” by Parokya ni Edgar.

The Pop Stage semifinalists Martin Naling performed his original poem titled, “Kayamanan,” and Luigi D’Avola sang his original song titled “If This Were a Dream”

By the end of the show, Naling, Guno, and D’Avola were declared winners of the round and earned their spots in the Top 12.

Before the first elimination round, a total of 26 contestants were selected and divided into four batches wherein each batch will compete with one another for a spot in the Top 12. Every week, each batch will submit a new performance video showcasing their talent and will be deliberated by Guidicelli, together with singer Jed Madela, G-Force dancer Ritz Beltran, and representatives from Popeyes Philippines. They’ll be judging the videos based on creativity and originality, quality of performance, and entertainment value, and three contestants will move to the next round based on their scores.

Following the elimination rounds, the Top 12 performers will continue to prove that they can be the country’s next big star in the semifinal round of the show. And in the end, only one winner who stood out from the rest will receive the cash prize worth Php 1 million and a one-year contract with Viva Artists Agency.

To stay updated on The Pop Stage, follow their official Facebook page @thepopstage and Popeyes Philippines’ Facebook page @popeyesph and use the hashtag #thepopstage.