Sugarpops: A Local Singing Trio

The Sugarpops: Emma, Kayleigh and Nicole

You give a Filipino a microphone and you won't get it back. We all can sing, whether drinking in a small sari-sari store or on a big arena and we shine like a fireball.  We are born to sing! Here in Canada, Toronto I guess, is the most thickly populated city in Canada where singers sprouted almost every day. So we are kind of 'used to it' that this and that can sing. No big deal.

I was having an informal meeting late last year and this professor from a school in Durham was presenting a draft of an event and when I look at it, there was Sugarpops on the list as a breaker. We then discussed the talent fee and when he blurted a certain amount I tried to tell him about Sugarpops being 'very new' in terms of performances. I thought the TF was a little expensive. 

The prof's argued how good the Sugarpops is, like, they've been guesting on many occasions, he said. He was very convincing, defending Sugarpops like no other. I laughed and told him I knew two of the kids in there and their parents but I am still not convince they are a group that can really deliver an ace performance. He shook his head, "No, they are really good!" I gave up and agreed on the TF that should be given to them on that supposed event which was temporarily cancelled and postponed.

When that meeting was over, I was sitting there and talked to my roommate about his passionate belief on Sugarpops. Because one time when I saw them, they were just like, ordinary kids trying to perform and I honestly don't take any emerging talent seriously especially if the ability fall short to what my standard appeared to be. Because let's face it, unless you standout from the rest, you are just like no other. Who in our community really make it big, other than becoming a champion on competitions? Getting into the mainstream is still like a lousy attempt at climbing Mt. Everest because the world is looking for that Xfactor thing on a performer. Be different. Be bold. Be aggressive or the world will be passing by...swiftly. 

As a community leader, I changed my perspective all the time. You always have that peripheral vision in order not to miss potential talents that can uplift our honor and prestige. Although Filipinos are now one of the fastest growing ethnic group in Canada, sometimes we are construed as, "The ones who are always missing the point." We need to claim our spot in this country. We need to be noticed and heard. One of it is for leaders to give everyone a fair share of proving themselves.

Sugarpops is new and still emerging, so why waste my time writing this blog? Because I believe in giving chances and I believe that one can do progress, improve and morph into something incredible. Where does Sugarpops fit into this principle? Their recent performances proved me wrong and when something and somebody made me wrong I dig, I glance a second time. After all, nobody in our community on this age range ever displayed a remarkable chemistry than Sugarpops based on their  recent performance with Philippines' notorious comic duo- Donita Nose and Tekla where they performed and wowed the audience.

Who are they? Read through and follow them on their growth as our youngest musical group in our community.

Meet EMMA VIOLA TICSAY-

Sugarpops member, Emma Viola Ticsay

Her parents met each other in Canada while they were in high school. Her mom is from Cadapli, Bangar, La Union and speaks Ilocano while Dad hails from Florida Blanca, Pampanga and speaks Kapampangan. Emma is often asked about her ethnicity as her beauty seemed foreign. I mistook her as a product of a mixed race. But she is a hundred percent Filipino. 

Ten y/o Emma Viola Ticsay is not only good at singing. She is also a  child model. She has participated in many modelling events and walked the runway like a pro. Emma was one of my child models last year in Courtice, Ontario wearing native designers' clothes from Mindanao. She led the pack.

A student at St. Jean De Bredeuf Catholic School and loves dancing, singing, painting, reading, swimming and a frequent young patron of YMCA  to keep herself physically fit and healthy.

Meet KAYLEIGH ANGELA CEREZO

Sugarpops member, Kayleigh Angela Cerezo

Kayleigh is eleven y/o who not only loves singing. She also plays guitar and Ukulele. At this tender age, Kayleigh has already written her own song. A young music competitor who has joined many music competitions and recently became 2nd placer to Long & McQuade Music Competition in 2017. Kayleigh has also participated in fashion shows and pageant competitions, a typical platforms for young Filipinos enhancing their confidence. She loves Minecraft games and in fact, creates her own slime.

Kayleigh is a student at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic School in Whitby. Her mom came from Meycauayan, Bulacan and her father is from Mandaluyong City, Manila. I've known this girl many years back having been invited to sing at our yearly Simbang Gabi in Durham Region. Sometimes, Kayleigh is performing solo and recently, she performed for Sheryn Regis in Toronto. 

Meet ALYSSA NICOLE LLAMASARES

Sugarpops member, Alyssa Nicole Llamasares

Eleven y/o Alyssa is a student of St. Martin De Poress Catholic School and loves playing violin, piano, ukulele,  and Steel pan. She also spend her leisure time drawing, reading books, writing and singing. Her parents hails from Quezon City, Philippines.

Sugarpops is being mentored by DK Tijam of DK Talents. They are real life friends. These three wonderful performers are slowly emerging as one we can reckon with as the most prominent from our community. Like many young kids, there are lots of opportunities open to them. From their first performance at Taste of Manila in August 2017, they've proven their chemistry is undeniably powerful. They've performed ten times already from notable community events across Durham Region, Toronto and areas.

On their most recent performance in Toronto at Donita Nose and Tekla event,  I was seated on the front and I was overwhelmed, quite astonished on how good they were in comparison to the first few performances I've seen when they were starting. This a good sign and I hope they will become consistent on their performances. Consistent means, honing their inborn gift of singing and never to depart from it. 

This is our first singing group, aside from Charms,  that is slowly climbing their way to a bigger stage. How about watching their new show, Bahay Kubo Ni Lolo which will soon be launch online? It is a good exposure for this team so we will know them more. It's coming...

You won't regret your part of helping them by patronizing them and including them into your lists of local Filipino-Canadian performers. Trust that they will become a part of our emerging entertainment industry.

The SUGARPOPS