As the world fights the invisible COVID-19 enemy causing much devastation in people lives major events, shows, sports and other gatherings of people are cancelled or postponed. However, this does not deter people with passion for what they do to hold events through the use of technology. One of these groups is the DCU [Dublin City University] Eurovision Society. DCU ES conducted the event DCU ES Eurovision : An Online Celebration in Zoom May 2, 2020. Filipino-Australian singer, composer, producer and talent manager Annabelle Regalado Borja won the competition. Wagga-Wagga based Annabelle topped overall total in judges and viewers votes ahead of twenty one other contestants from around the world.
"It was by accident that I joined the competition. I thought it was just a showcase of any singing performance from a casting app I am a member in. But I believe that nothing happens truly by accident. It has a purpose: to share the message of our song “We’ll Live our Dreams Forever” to many especially during this time of anxiety and uncertainty. Many lost their jobs. Many are worried how to sustain their living. Many are at a lost of what to do. The song simply says, Never stop to dream. Hold on and live those dreams. Do not be afraid to stumble, don’t give up... just live your dreams forever. I was supposed to sing Jessica Mauboy’s “We got Love” song during the 2018 Eurovision then the organisers said we can opt to sing original compositions too.
"I would love to sing my own written works so I can relay the message of the song too. I chose an unreleased song I wrote and collaborated with Louie Ocampo for the song’s music. It’s entitled “We’ll Live our Dreams Forever” which we co-wrote in 2006. It was intended as a demo for an ABS-CBN singing reality search which was not used. But I keep all my original songs database and found this song to be fitting. I am also using this song as a piece for my voice students so they get to sing original compositions. Out of courtesy, I messaged Louie O if I can sing it for the Eurovision online singing contest and he said yes."
TAF asked Annabelle what was it like when she saw she won.
She said: "I was teary-eyed. I have to exit the frame of the live zoom broadcast just to wipe my tears. Before the televotes, there were the jury votes. Finland was the first jury country and I got 12 points, the highest point I’ve ever received. The rest were 8, 7,. I landed 4th with all the jury votes who were random people they got from different countries.
"I just prayed in my mind, Lord, Your will be done. When the televotes came in, it was an overwhelming 668 votes. Everyone on zoom shouted, whoa!!!! I was also shocked. I told my husband, Roland, where did those votes come from. I was unsure of my votes because Australia and Filipino friends might still be asleep at the time of the 30 minutes voting time given. But lo and behold, it happened. A sweeping 668 televotes.
"My heart was filled with joy and gratefulness to those who have supported. The family, friends, clients, colleagues, artists, and random people have sent me their screen shot votes and I felt the love and support."
About the Competition
The mechanics of joining the competition as shared by Annabelle are shown below.
"I lodged through the casting app where I am a member for 3 years now. My profile, folio and sample singing works are there for them to audition the applicant. 3 days after I applied to what I thought was only a Eurovision Showcase was an online singing competition.
"We were asked to just do a 3 minute version of our song. The voting process was the exciting part of the competition. There were jury votes (22 juries from different countries whom they got and the the Televotes or the public notes). We, as contestants can’t vote for ourselves. We have to rank from 12 to 1, 12 being the highest. The public will do the same or just pick who they want with the points.
"A digital scoreboard was flashed on screen via zoom and all of us contestants can see while scores are coming in. My heartbeats moved fast and my hands were cold, I don’t know. It was my first time ever to join any international competition online. I’m always used to being the judge, the mentor or the coach for singers joining the contests."
TAF contacted DCU ES through its Facebook page to request the names of the judges and where they are based. Laurence William Brophy who is the Chairperson of DCU Eurovision 2019/20 provided this list: Jason from Ireland Cassandra - France; Morgan - Wales; Louisa and Keith - UK; Beverley - Spain; Anika - the Philippines; Pierpaolo - Italy; Anna - Finland; Jonny Caley - UK; Cassim - Austria; Alfred Cauker - Australia; Shar - UK; Anthony Zaia - Australia; Clint Rhodes - USA; Jaimie Crock - UK; June Anderson - UK; Maria Peterson - UK; Corey - Canada and Maggie Robson - UK.
Laurence also commented: "On the show we had guest acts: Roxorloops ft Jasmin Rose, Magnus Bokn, Naomi Diamond, and Mickey Joe Harte."
Annabelle's Message and Song
TAF asked Annabelle what message she wants to share with our readers.
"THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE AND SUPPORT. To my family, friends and colleagues in the Philippines (who stayed awake from 3am till 6am), in Australia (who set their alarms early and woke up at 5am till 7:30am), in the US (who sneaked time to pause from daytime their chores and works), in Finland (where my sister lives, who stayed up late to watch and vote), and to all who voted for me, Thank you, Maraming salamat, Kiitos, Gracias, Merci. "
We are glad to share below the lyrics of the song that Annabelle sung in the competition.
We’ll Live Our Dreams Forever
Music by : Louie Ocampo
Words by : Annabelle Borja
I dream that someday
I'll be what i want to be
I'll show to the world the passion I longed inside
For years I've honed myself
To be the best I can be
Now I have the chance to prove what i can give.
Chorus :
I'll live my dreams today and believe they shall come true
I'll live my life with faith and I shall make it through
I live to believe that I can shine my own light
and be the person I want to be
I'm not afraid to stumble
I won't give up, I will hold on
I'll live my dreams, I'll live my dreams forever
(Second Person Point of view )
We dream that someday
we'll be what we want to be
We will show to the world
The passions we have longed inside
For years, we've honed ourselves,
To be the best we can be,
Now we have the chance,
to prove what we can give.
Chorus:
We'll live our dreams today and believe they shall come true
We'll live our lives with faith and we shall make them through
We live to believe that we can shine our own light
and be the persons we want to be
We're not afraid to stumble
Won't give up,
We will hold on
We'll live our dreams forever.
It is truly a beautiful song which gives us affirmation and encouragement in this unprecedented crisis in our life. Keep safe and well everybody.