The magical run for Team Philippines at the 26th annual World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Anaheim, California, U.S.A. has yielded topnotch results: being crowned the Overall Grand Champion and taking home five individual Grand Champion titles, along with an astonishing 362 medals and awards, stirred pride and celebration for the Filipino talent in singing, dancing, and a variety of performing arts.
This Talent Olympics for performers and entertainers, held from July 28 to August 6, 2023, showcased Filipinos on the global stage in an unforgettable way. The Philippine delegation brought home the first Grand Champion titles in six years, including the Overall Grand Champion for the most medals and awards, the Top Team Rank, and the Top Division Winner Rank.
The 2023 WCOPA awards for Team Philippines also include:
- 5 grand champions
- 86 golds medals
- 91 silver medals
- 59 bronze medals
- 53 division plaques
- 10 finalists medals
- 56 semi-finalist medals
- 7 scholarships from the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
Grand Champion of the World Titles
Team Philippines won the Overall Grand Champion of the World title at WCOPA 2023 after winning the most medals and awards, besting South Africa and Thailand in the top podium spot of the global competition participated by 34 countries this year.
- Nine-year-old Thed Maglocot from Iloilo was hailed with two wins: the Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World and the Junior Grand Champion Vocalist of the World.
- Ballet dancer Simone Tatyana Alyeshka Avisado of Ateneo De Davao University claimed another two World Championship titles: the Junior Grand Champion Dancer of the World and a second gold medal as part of the Junior Group Dancer Category winner.
- En Avant, composed of Avisado and Jhanrill Barcelona, won the title of Junior Grand Champion Dance Group of the World.
- General Santos City delegate Pia Torino took home the Senior Grand Champion Dancer of the World title.
Team Philippines WCOPA Facebook page proudly announced its medal harvest this year:
Team Philippines also honored its officers as the people behind the success of the team.
“Cheers to the TEAM PHILIPPINE OFFICERS for their dedication and passion. It is because of their tireless and selfless efforts that Team Philippines remains a team to reckon with. Take a bow, TP Officers!” posted on their Facebook page, together with a video of the TP Officers.
National Director for Team Philippines and two-time Diamond Awardee Gerry Mercado was visibly proud of the team as they successfully represented the country. “Of course, it is a chance and opportunity for us to promote the Filipino brand, as I always say. What better way to promote the Philippines to the world than to show the world how beautiful and talented the Filipino people are?” ND Mercado said in a video posted on Facebook by Annie Mercado.
Mercado also expressed gratitude to WCOPA Team Philippines, noting that the organization does not only build talent but also build character. He also thanked the 102-strong Filipino delegation and the people who generously supported the team.
Delegates from different schools, cities, and regions also flooded social media with greetings and congratulations to the country’s representatives as they brought honor and pride not only to their respective communities but to the whole country.
Team Philippines’s medal haul at WCOPA editions includes 266 medals in 2022, 390 medals in 2019, and 286 medals in 2018.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Team Philippines WCOPA for their big wins at the 2023 World Championships of Performing Arts!
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