KTV Latino’s final four: who will be the champion?

What began as an audition of raw talent for a one of a kind sing-along show has over the past few weeks transformed itself into a primetime showcase of Latin culture.  With a panel of judges, versed in the technical aspects of music, KTV Latino has wowed a diverse audience that represents our ethnicity.  Behind all the onstage theatrics that have become a staple on Tuesday nights are the contestants, a group of runner-ups whom we know little about.  It’s the last round of competition tonight and News Five’s Isani Cayetano took a peep behind the curtain to get to know who they really are.

[Montage of performers on stage]

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

You have seen them every Tuesday night since January, but few besides family and friends truly know who the performers are behind the curtains. When we got up close and personal, we found that out.  Oneida Shaw, for instance, is a full-time wife and mother who has had to overcome many trials including putting family aside momentarily to get to the final four.

Oneida Shaw, KTV Latino Finalist

“It is hard and I don’t even have time to spend with my husband cause I’m always there “Babe, what do you think?  You think this one sounds good?”  And I would sing it for him and he would comment and tell me if he likes it or not.  That’s the time that I would give him.”

For Ismael Chacon a full day consists of a bike ride to La Cabana where he works as a karaoke DJ. There he carefully strategizes his musical onslaughts.

Ismael Chacon, KTV Latino Finalist

“In a regular day, like this time in the competition I wake up in the morning, I relax my mind a little bit and open it see what kind of song I’m going to pick for the competition and start to practice and that’s my regular day at this time.”

It is no secret that a love for Latin music is the umbilical cord that connects all four singers to their ten thousand dollar dream.  Oneida’s artist of choice is Alejandra Guzman.

Oneida Shaw

“The reason why I like her music is because I think we have the same type of voice and the power in her voice is—she has a lot of emotions and feelings when she brings out her music and that’s what I like about her and that’s what I think I do when I sing my music.”

Strangely enough, Desmond Berry found his love for Mariachi while playing in a local band.

Desmond Berry, KTV Latino Finalist

“I knew nothing about Spanish ‘til I got involved with Magana. I would say age eighteen. Because of the music system how ih go around Belize and the band and thing, you gotta cater for the different audiences, you gotta cater for you Latino audience and Creole audience and everything. So I dah mi di only guy weh sing wid ah. He talk Spanish so he wah seh dis dah di song weh we wah do. He call me ‘Negro’ too so he wah seh dis dah di song weh we wah and he gave me di words. But I never understood what the words dehn talk about and he wah seh basically dis dah weh di song di tell yoh. So I wah start sing di song and as I di go long I di try, you know dis dah what ih mean. I neva used to express di music den because I neva understand it.”

Berry’s time with Magana’s Boys taught him the value of teamwork, one that his competitor Natalie Arceo is all too familiar with.

Natalie Arceo, KTV Latino Finalist

“Every person needs a team. If you’re gonna go up there to perform or in anything; if you’re an athlete you need a team behind you because there are things—for example, I’m teaching here so when I need someone to get props or figure out a costume or someone to help me get my music. So it is always good to know, you know what relax let me take care of this pr let me help you with this. So it’s always good to have family behind you and that, at the beginning of the show I realized that you need someone there to be behind you and fortunately I had someone there and now with my family on board, I know that we’re gonna have a lot of fun.”

Isani Cayetano

“Shakespeare said it best “all the world’s a stage” and on this stage tonight these four ordinary men and women will assume extraordinary characters in a bid to be crowned karaoke royalty and this nondescript platform will transform into a festival of sights and sounds.”

[Montage of performers on stage]