Almost half of the crowd was in a standing ovation action who cheered hysterically with their salvo and boisterous whistling. It took them for almost twenty minutes before they were seated quietly.

This was in a covered court where a singing contest was held as one of the activities to celebrate Valentines Day. The venue was accessible to those who wanted to witness and enjoy listening to the voices of the contestants.

That evening was the semi- final round that only ten contestants were left to show case their singing performance. From thirty five competitors, only ten made it to semi-final.

The standing ovation that took the audience to calm down from cheering was the sixth singer among the ten. These singing contestants were designed for teenage boys only. Their ages range from fourteen years old to seventeen years of age.

The tenth to compete was a boy. By just looking at him even from afar, his looks was conspicuous. His outfit was really suitable to a teenager like him. He could have even conquered the world of fashion and knocked out some actors when it comes to his appearance.... his looks and the way he dressed up.

When it came to his study, his intelligence quotient belonged to high average but when it came to emotional quotient, he belonged to superior as he was well-bred by his very strict but loving grandparents.

Thereby, he himself could not believe that God had given him such gifts. He was so grateful that he never had forgotten to pray and attend Mass during Holy obligation days. This contest would have proved that God really loved him so much just like those chosen people God has favoured.

The master of ceremony announced. "Ladies and gentlemen, let's listen to the voice of our tenth semi-finalist, no other than Kenneth Allen Lacandula."

Everybody was in silence with each eyes following the movement of Kenneth Allen toward the microphone placed at the middle front part of the spacious stage

Their silence was broken when the minus one started to play. The song he had chosen had a quite long instrumental intro before the lyrics would be started to be sung.

The stillness of the crowd

remained. They were not almost breathing as each of them has different anticipations. Some anticipated an outstanding performance, others expected him to be eliminated from being one of the grand finalists.

The introductory notes ended for him to start singing Steelhart's song.

She's gone

Out of my life

I was wrong

I'm to blame

I was so untrue

I can't live without her love

His fans was touched of his style in singing, as his voice, facial expression, and body movement was pleading imploringly. His melancholic singing voice echoed not only in that venue but in the whole vicinity of the three barangays nearby. He sang it as though he was a broken hearted.

In my life

There's just an empty space

All my dreams are lost

I'm wasting away

Forgive me, girl

Everybody was astounded as his voice reverberated at the lyrics of the last line of the second stanza. His falsetto had never dislodged to eliminate him from the last level of the competition.

His critiques were quite persuaded, yet, they were still skeptical because they were expecting him to embarrass himself to the highest note of the song that needed his shrilling whistling voice.

Lady, won't you save me?

My heart belongs to you

Lady, can you forgive me?

For all I've done to you

Lady, oh, lady

She's gone

Out of my life

Oh, she's gone

I find it so hard to go on

I really miss that girl, my love

Come back 

Into my arms

I'm so alone

I'm begging you

I'm down on my knees

Forgive me, girl

Lady, won't you save me?

My heart belongs to you

Lady, can you…

Source: LyricFind

Not one among the crowd was able to freak out when he was done singing. He really sang to his heart's content that he imitated how Steelhart bent his body backward. Just like him (it's original singer), he likewise bent his knees singing but the only difference was he was stretching his left arm to his audience as though the lady love mentioned in the song who caused his shattered heart was in front of him.

Speaking of a lady, despite his concentration in his singing performance, his keen eye sight has spotted a very pretty girl whom he estimated to be of his age. She has that demure angelic face that emitted purity and modesty. It was the first time that he saw this rare beauty in his grandparents' birth town. What a dazzling face that could have launched even a million ship unlike Helen of Troy's only thousand ships.

Unknown to his audience, his sudden glimpse to that loveliest maiden whose looks stood out from all of them, inspired him more in his performance. His throbbing heart like that speedy galloping horses hooves dictated his heart to pursue her. His choosy heart was able to meet a girl that it liked.

"I must give all my effort to this performance so she would notice me."

What he wished was granted as not only his crush at first sight was impressed. All those who were present listened and watched him, mouth agape in awe including that bewitching girl in her midi floral dress. In fact, there was a five-minute speechlessness, so quiet that only the rustling of the Dancalan trees' leaves around the auditorium can be heard.

After that moment of silence, not one among his onlookers was left seated. They stood up simultaneously producing a defeaning sound of their clapping hands.

Alas! He failed his bashers that his performance was not trivial. All those who were present to witness that competition including the board of judges gave him standing ovation. He was one of the three grand finalists.

The chairman of the Organizer made a surprise announcement that whoever the champion, would be Ms. Valentines 2018's date that should be started with a serenade after the crowning rite.

The master of ceremony requested for the presence of Ms. Valentines. When she went up stage, he was stupefied but overjoyed that his crush at first glance was the one to be dated by the champion.

When he went down the stage, he was too shy to approach his crush. Instead, he quickly joined his grandparents and requested to get a singing coach for him.

He and his grandparents went home happily. They rejoiced discreetly as they did not like to be members of the braggarts association. Upon their arrival at their home they knelt down and prayed in front of their little altar to express their sense of gratitude.

Tomorrow was another day for the grand final level of the Valentines Day Singing Competition. It was no longer the cash prize and trophy that mattered most to Kenneth Allen but most of all a date to the most glamorous young lady in their hometown who would be crowned Ms Valentines, the next night after the announcement of the champion in the singing contest.

He was secretly praying for him to be the champion as he would be given a chance to sing a serenade to his secret crush during the coronation night.

After the coronation ceremony, she would be his first dance. Gosh! By just thinking of it thrilled him so much.

If it was just healthy not to sleep overnight for him to practice his contest piece for tomorrow evening's grand final, then he would have done it. But since it was unhealthy, his alternative decision was to appeal from his teachers to be excused from his classes during the day.

The next day had become so hectic on his part for his rigid training from the singing coach that his grandparents hired.

The song that he was practicing was a song by Whitney Houston. It was another song that required high notes. His coach had to give him a voice lesson in vocalization and various pitch levels in singing such as countertenor, tenor, baritone, and bass.

Had it not for his crush, he would have backed out. But the excitement and enthusiasm to be with her in a subtle way had prevailed. He was too shy to reveal that his heart was knocked out by her looks when he fortuitously gazed at her.

He found it more difficult to practice with a coach. Unlike when he was alone practicing, no restrictions should be followed. His coach made it really very hard for him to practice. However, he learned several techniques and skills to develop his voice to the fullest.

His coach advised him sternly:

"You have to drink a lukewarm ginger tea. You are not allowed to drink any cold beverages. Citrus fruits are allowed in your everyday food and liquid intake."

Listening and watching their coaching session made their grandparents to permanently hire his coach to train him.

Then he asked his coach:" Do you think I would be judged the champion?"

He replied, "Once you heed my advise and my coaching which I taught you, there would be a hundred percent possibility."