A FORMER UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe member was hailed as the grand champion of nationwide talent search “Pilipinas Got Talent” (PGT) on April 29 at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
Spiral pole dancer Kristel de Catalina, an interior design graduate, got a score of 99.67 percent out of combined public and judges’ votes, besting ballroom dancing duo Julius Obrero and Rhea Marquez who finished with 84.6 percent.
The 32-year-old single mom wowed judges with her spiral pole dancing routine to Celine Dion’s “All By Myself,” a performance dedicated to her six-year-old son and to all single mothers.
The Antipolo native initially caught attention during the auditions when she danced to Lea Salonga’s version of “I Dreamed A Dream” from the musical “Les Miserables,” receiving the “Golden Buzzer” from comedian and judge Vice Ganda.
The Golden Buzzer propelled Catalina to the finals where she bested nine other acts.
De Catalina received a vacation package and a P2-million cash prize.
