A young Filipino-Canadian singer made waves in Canadian TV show, “The Next Star,” a youth-oriented competition aimed at finding talented singers under 15 years old. Earlier, Espanto beat out thousands of hopefuls that auditioned from all over Canada to make the top 13. His audition song was “Grenade,” a hit by Bruno Mars who is also half-Filipino. In a Calgary Herald report, Espanto explained that he chose the song because “it has a fast beat, it’s an upbeat song. And I like the tune and it’s pretty catchy Though he obviously impressed this year’s set of judges, which included R&B singer Keisha Chante, country diva Tara Oram and music industry executive Mark Spicoluk, Espanto related that the three advised him to “put a little more stage presence” in his next performances. ^[1]

The grand finals came to a close last September 23. He did not win the title but he is the pride of the Filipino community here in Calgary to making it to the Top 6.

Espanto is the first Asian, the first Filipino and the youngest contestant to make it thus far in the contest. Darren’s parents are Filipinos from Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya. The family migrated to Canada in 2006.

Darren Espanto was the grand prize winner of PINOY SINGING SENSATION, a singing contest in Edmonton produced by Mr. Tony Surtida of Le Tigre Engtertainment.

Performers like Darren don’t come along very often. At first, this 11-year-old boy wonder seems polite and timid. But once you shine the spotlight on him he turns into a big-belting, slick-dancing, full-on popstar! You have to see it to believe it, as have many music fans from Calgary, Alberta, who watched him perform (and often win) in his hometown talent shows. The Next Star stage was built for kids like Darren and he’s looking forward to taking full advantage of it so that he can one day perform alongside his favourite artists like Bruno Mars and Beyonce. With no formal training, where did he learn to dance? At home in his living room playing dance-based video games! Seriously!

If you want proof that big things come in small packages, look no further than Darren. He may be the youngest, he may be the smallest, but when he’s on stage you’d never know it.

Congratulations to DARREN ESPANTO! You made the Filipinos in Alberta especially in Calgary proud to have a star in the making!