As this year’s Star Search came back in the comforts of the Ateneo campus to rejoice in the talents and look back into the roots of every Atenean, Accountancy Cluster’s Rovelyn Marquesa emerged as the champion in the search for SADYA Star 2022.

Marquesa, a two-time Star Search contestant, shared her experience participating in the Star Search 2022. 

“Actually, konti lang talaga [preparation] kasi medyo nahati ang time ko for academics since magprelims na. So far ang ginagawa ko lang talaga is magising ng maaga then vocalize, warm up then pasada konti ng songs,” Marquesa told Atenews.

The Star Search champion also said that it was her first time competing in a singing contest onsite after the pandemic forced everyone to stay at home for two years. 

Nevertheless, she expressed that performing while enjoying was the key to capture the heart, and to serenade the souls of the audiences and the judges.

“Actually like nag enjoy lang ako sa stage because dugay nako [wala] nakaperform onstage with live audience. During the performance, enjoy the moment. Reminisce the moment during the pandemic na naga perform pud ko.”

This year’s Star Search overall theme was anchored into the true essence and heart of fiesta – singing Original Pinoy Music (OPM) songs until daylight.

The competition was divided into three rounds, showcasing three different genres. The first and second round was the elimination round allocated for hyped music and OPM ballad, while the third round was the determining round for the winner where the top three contestants sang the same song entitled “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.”

Marquesa also noted that despite the challenging system of the competition and the pressure it brought, the familiarity of joining competitions since she was a child helped her in performing well in the competition.

“Ever since nung bata ako when I joined competitions nasanay na ako na every competition maraming round siguro nasanay na ako sa ganitong moment na after ng isang song, magchange ng damit, after ng ganitong song, isa na naman ang genre. Nakapag adjust na rin,” she shared.

The Star Search 2022 was held onsite on August 11 at the new Bapa Benny Tudtud Hall.