Dubai song contest winner forgot his words and won on charm

Oriel Padura won the Singing Sensation contest with his rendition of Usher's DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love.

Oriel Padura's performance impressed the judges of the Singing Sensation competition, so much so that he walked away with first prize and Dh25,000 in prize money. Sammy Dallal / The National

DUBAI // He did not know all the words, so he tried to win over the judges with a bold stage presence.

The trick paid off for Oriel Padura, who on Friday was named the winner of the Singing Sensation talent competition, taking home the top prize of Dh25,000.

The 29-year-old Filipino, an Emirates Airline reservations officer, took the stage for a rendition of Usher's chart-topping DJ Got Us Fallin' In Love.

His performance, capped with dance moves, was enough to have him crowned the winner of the competition, hosted at the Kitakits restaurant in the Marco Polo hotel in Deira, a favourite hangout for Philippine nationals.

After his performance, Mr Padura said: "I was only trying to look confident and didn't even know all of the words to the song. So I put on some dance moves to get it right."

The judging panel included Emil "Loverboy" Barcenilla, an amateur musician, along with Jing Patrick and Amy Liamzon. They said Mr Padura met their requirements: voice, looks, style and the all-important X-factor.

The competition attracted contestants from Korea, Japan, South Africa, Pakistan, India and the Philippines, said the organisers, 321 Events. At Friday's final it was also announced that Mr Padura and the other finalists would perform at a forthcoming concert by Charice, to be staged at Dubai Festival City in October.

Charice Pempengco, 19, is one of the hottest rising Filipina stars and will play in front of a 25,000-strong crowd in Dubai, said Zoha Beig, the chief executive officer of 321 Events.

"Charice's fans can expect an evening of songs never before seen on YouTube or screen, and much of it will be taken from her new album and her favourite songs that made her popular all over the world," said Ms Beig.

The Singing Sensation competition was broadcast live on the Rewind FM online radio station