It was like yesterday, just like yesterday, I was on top of that stage. The big spot light hits my face while my feet are crumbling as I stand in front of thousand different faces and races. And there I was, a Palaweño standing in front of them, just some Palaweño wearing the Philippine Jacket, wearing the Filipino skin.
Last July 6-15, 2018, I gathered several awards in the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Long Beach, California, USA. I got Gold Medal award for vocal solo country category, silver awards for Vocal Solo latin and contemporary, and Bronze Medal award for Formal Modelling. I also gathered the award for national costume champion and World Division winner.
But behind all that gold, the Arjay infront of that stage competing with the world is just like any other guy you’ll see in Palawan. I am Arjay Espartero a WCOPA medalist and I came from coal to goal.
HARDSHIPS FOR BREAKFAST
I am a native Palaweño, 33 years old and a “Batang Princes Urduja, Narra Palawan.” I grew up with six siblings. A small farm and coal were what fed us for so many years. Growing up in our farm, paucity held my head up high. I was always tell myself “Hindi pwedeng ganito lang ako lagi.”
So when I was in High School, I strived hard. It was when and where it all started. My Ate is a singer in our school then, so my classmates always tell me to try singing because she sings well. And so I tried, and there, I got out of my shell.
Thereafter, my singing enthusiasm grew. I joined singing competitions and performed intermission numbers.
When college came, the bridge of battle became longer for me to cross. Due to paucity, it was impossible for me to go to college. My mother and my father had that very narrow budget for me to pursue my studies. I was decided to go to college, however. I was determined to get that diploma, to hold that degree and get a job in the future.
Everything seemed so hopeless. I was hopeless. But I got myself up to catch a bus to Puerto Princes because I know I really have to go to college.
When in Puerto, I looked for daytime job so I could have night classes. Sadly, the University does not offer night shifts. I walked back and forth in every company in Puerto just to get a partime job but I was rejected. In a flick, I gave up. I turned and went back to farming.
Two days after, my shoulders felt heavy. I was carrying an axe and chopping off pieces of wood. My feet were heavy. My head was preoccupied with sadness and regrets that I felt so empty. So, I held the axe away and told myself, “Hindi pwedeng hanggang dito ka na lang parati, Arjay.”
I ran off and told my Mother, “Mag-aaral ako sa Puerto, Ma.”
When I was in Puerto, a blessing smiled at me. I got a job, a night time job. I was so happy. I worked as a crew on a fast food chain in the City and on weekends, I went to church to sing.
But hardships seem to always follow me. The battle between college life, work and finances is so hard that it made me cry every single night. But I had to fight. So, I worked hard and studied harder. I have to go home late after a tiring fastfood chain work and sleeps for only two hours everyday and wakes up early to prepare for school and do house chores. I thought I was strong enough. I thought I had a body like Iron Man. I forgot I was human.
One morning, I was struggling to get up due to so much tiredness. My mind is widely awake but I can not move my body. I prayed so hard that time, but I have to get up and fight for each day to come.
Four years later, I smelled the newly printed diploma handed to me. The soft silky fabric of toga embracing my body that has been tired of working all night and studying all day. And I knew then, this is it.
After graduating, I worked abroad to support my family. While Abroad, I still sang. Years after, I went back to Philippines and this time the comeback has also been the greater one for my career in singing. I joined many auditions back then, until one of my friends introduced me to WCOPA Philippines. “Rakets” came after.
Until the biggest break came for me, however, but another hardship has come. But I never thought I couldn’t beat the battle that would come, for I, Arjay Espartero eats hardship for breakfast.
STRUCK BY THE SPOT LIGHT
Thousand and thousand of countries showing skills, and thousand and thousand of skills are shown off that time. I was scared and excited, scared but motivated.
I joined the WCOPA auditions on September 17, 2017, for the competition in Long Beach, Californina. The audition was never easy, it is never easy. I have fought so many battles to get through it. First, the battle with yourself, the battle with your own fear. It is like telling yourself ‘you can do it’ for mIllion times. It’s about self-confidence and positive thinking.
So I looked up and prayed before I sing. I opened my mouth and sang the melody of my self trust, faith and motivation, and there, I passed the audition. The next chapter of my battle is the WCOPA in Long Beach, California and if this is called “The haunt for Coin.”
To register for the WCOPA 2018 in California, the organization needs $5,000. And that costs almost P300,000. I actually didn’t have that amount and would not even possibly have even close to that amount. But if there’s a will, there is a way.
I always tell myself, “Never ko inisip na hindi ko kaya”. I dont say no when i want it, i always know that I can make it.
I solicited from agencies, politicians, LGUs and many more. The word ‘shy’ was temporarily erased from my vocabulary at that time, and I also earned money. I know this is a risk. Imagine putting together P300,000 just for one competition. You may think that its a waste of time, money and effort but for me, it’s not. The title, the experience and the pride i will bring for Palawan and my country are more than priceless.
It was July 6, 2018, the day has finally come. I was struck by the spotlight. 63 other countries were after the title. The whole world was watching me. I heard different languages murmuring, different races, different audiences waving their flags, and I am one of the 87 lucky Filipinos to belong in the WCOPA 2018.
I was nervous, proud, scared, happy. I don’t know what to feel that moment. My heart is trembling with mixed emotion. I was proud carrying the name of the country. I am proud that I am the only Palaweño on that very moment. I know I have to win this game to make Palawan proud of me.
BRINGING HOME THE GOLD
To wear the jacket with the Philippine flag is more than an honor, bringing the pride for Palawan is one of the greatest thing I could ever have as a human. For me, my life is like the rhythm of the music that goes with the flow of life- of hardships, of joy. I pray for many Palaweños to shine with their talents, with the majesty of their voice, let the world know your talent, your God Given talent, for the world’s eye is always open to see the talent within you. But for me, the real key to be discovered by the world is to persevere, have faith, prayers and keeping your feet always on the ground. Always remember, “hindi hadlang ang kahirapan kahirapan para abutin ang iyong pangarap.”
Sing, pray and repeat, from there, you’ll turn coal into goal.