Ismael ‘El Buky’ Chacon is the KTV Latino king

Turning to the hottest and most watched Tuesday night television show, what started out as an entirely new concept for a local live production, culminated with a bang on Tuesday night at the Bliss Centre for the Performing Arts. Fourteen persons were selected from as many as seventy who auditioned from around the country late last year. Belizeans soon took to Karaoke Television Latino with a flurry, filling the seats at the Bliss to capacity week after week. For the thousands more who just couldn’t get tickets in time to make the audience, they too were spellbound on Tuesday nights to Channel Five for the two hour finale.  It came down to four finalists based on the text votes from the audience that determined the first KTV Latino champion.  After thirteen weeks, the grand finale was a spectacular show and the remaining four won the hearts of the at home and away audiences.  The singer who turned out to be the favourite is Salvadoran, Ismael Chacon, a humble man who came to Belize in search of a better life and who remained consistent in his performances throughout the competition.  News Five’s Marion Ali reports on the KTV Latino spectacular finale.

[Announcement of winners… ]

Marion Ali, Reporting

As the voting results revealed, Ismael Chacon, a construction worker and karaoke host at La Cabana Club on the Hummingbird Highway, happens to be the crowd favourite for Channel Five’s first KTVL competition.  Chacon, also known as “El Buky”, won in convincing fashion, beating his closest opponent, San Pedro charm and music teacher, twenty-one year old Natalie Arceo.  For the champ, it had to take migrating to Belize to see his dreams become reality.

Ismael Chacon, 1^st place, KTVL (Translated)

ismael chacon

“I will continue singing for my people, that’s my dream, that’s what I’m gonna do.”

Marion Ali

“Will he make that a professional career now – singing?”

Ismael Chacon

“I am very sure about it, this is what I like and now that people know about me I will continue singing for them. And I am very happy of doing this kind of job, so this is what I’m gonna invest in.”

While it was impossible for all four to capture first place, the other finalists said KTVL has created new opportunities for them and that positive sequels are already in the pipeline.

natalie arceo

Natalie Arceo,2^nd place, KTVL

“I’ve been invited to perform at different spots, in Corozal this weekend, in Cayo next weekend I’m helping Mr. Jose Cruz with his fundraiser, so if you have a chance May eighth you can go down there.  I’ve been invited to sing on some projects and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Oneida Shaw, 3^rd place, KTVL

“Carlos said he wanted to do a CD so I’m gonna go into that and see what happens after that, how I feel doing that, and then from there I’m gonna see what’s gonna happen.  I need to enjoy that first and see how I feel, then move on.”

Desmond Berry, 4th place, KTVL

desmond berry

“I’m gonna be working with Carlos.  He has a project that he wants me to work with and hopefully me and Carlos could take off to a different level.”

Speaking of different levels, the results also showed that the margins of victory were not close, and that there were significant gaps between each of the finalists’ total votes – an indication that voters were committed to their favourite contestant.  At the end of the day, however, it all boiled down to one thing and perhaps the most important factor in the objectives of KTVL, that is to embrace the cultural diversity of the Hispanic population. For the contestants it provided an avenue to promote great talent, while at the same time creating life-long friendships, as Natalie and Oneida’s outstanding duet appropriately amplified.

[Natalie and Oneida performing together…]

Chacon’s presentation of “Navidad Sin Ti” seized the audience’s attention.

[Ismael Chacon singing “Navidad Sin Ti”…]

In her unique and appealing style, Natalie was dressed as a Mestizo, to honour her late grandfather, Ernesto Murray Junior who was one of her first mentors.  Her polished performance was dedicated to his memory.

[Natalie Arceo singing…]

oneida shaw

Oneida was also superb with her Spanish rendition of “I Will Survive”.

[Oneida Shaw singing “I Will Survive”…]

Not to be outshone, Desmond Berry captivated the audience doing a Mariachi medley with some help.

[Desmond Berry’s mariachi medley…]

Even the judges shared a bit of their talent during the finale.

[Judges’ performances…]

Before the night was over the four local talents offered their fans a treat when they graced the stage together to wow the country and those abroad on streaming video with their rendition of the song “Asi Fue”, a fitting title for the close of an noteworthy event which people all over have now come to embrace.

[Group performance of “Asi Fue…]

Reporting for News Five, Marion Ali.

As his prize, Desmond Berry received one thousand dollars in cash,

Oneida Shaw got three thousand for her third place, while Natalie Arceo earned six thousand in cash.  And for his win, Ismael Chacon, walked away with ten thousand dollars from Channel Five. All the finalists received additional prizes from a number of business houses and sponsors.

Votes:

Ismael Chacon – 15,414

Natalie Arceo – 13,979

Oneida Shaw – 8,922

Desmond Berry – 6,857