| Aziz Idris |
MUHAMMAD Auf bin Haji Ismail emerged as winner of the reality singing contest Akulah Juara at Jerudong Park Amphitheatre on Saturday.
The 30-year-old wedding planner received a BND3,000 cash prize for his One Moment in Time and Lagu Untuk Mu performances. He also won BND1,000 for Best Performance.
Syafiqah binti Rosli, 18, a recent graduate won BND2,000 with her rendition of Zapin Melayu while Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam employee Pengiran Omarali Saifuddien bin Pengiran Haji Tengah, 34, won third place and received BND1,000 for his Andainya Takdir performance.
Top winners also received trophies and prizes from sponsors.
Five other participants received consolation prizes worth BND700 each, in a singing competition organised by Radio Television Brunei (RTB) through its TV Programme Division.
The singing contest aimed at discovering amateur singers in Brunei and help them reach their full potential to become real vocalists and stage performers.
The prizes were presented by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin in his capacity as the guest of honour.
Also present was Permanent Secretary (Media and Cabinet) at the Prime Minister’s Office Mohamed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohamed Yunos along with the Director of RTB Haji Muhammad Suffian bin Haji Bungsu.
Akulah Juara began in July with over 170 auditions from members of the public and 30 shortlisted participants were chosen to compete in the quarterfinals. Twenty participants advanced to the semi-finals and subsequently eight proceeded to the finals.
The panel of judges for Akulah Juara were Hajah Dewi Hairani, Pengiran Haji Mohd Khairul Amilin and Lily Chiam.
The event was aired live on RTB Aneka, RTB Sukmaindera and Pelangi FM.