(CNN Philippines) — Shadow play group El Gamma Penumbra is now — more than ever — under the limelight after winning the grand prize on the first Asia’s Got Talent TV show.
Penumbra members Rowell Amano, Mark Pabia, Dhot Bayer, and Ronell Amano talked to CNN Philippines’ Headline News anchor Amelyn Veloso on Friday (May 22) about their journey.
During the grand finals night of Asia’s Got Talent (AGT), the 13 members on stage were crying tears of joy because of all the hardwork and passion they put into their performance.
“Pinapalakpakan na kami ng mga tao. Iyon na ang trophy namin. Kahit pa hindi na kami manalo, okay na sa amin,” Rowell Amano said.
[Translation: “People were already applauding us. That’s our trophy. Even if we didn’t win, that would have been okay with us.”]
Related: El Gamma Penumbra thanks Filipinos for support
Bayer said that every time they stepped on stage, their goal is to stir a certain emotion from the audience and from the judges.
“Naiiyak kami kapag nararamdaman nila ang ipinararating namin,” he said.
[Translation: “We feel like crying whenever they feel what we’re trying to get across.”
The group revealed that AGT judge David Foster invited them to the U.S. on October 24.
Watch: Charice performs with judge David Foster on AGT stage
Creating social awareness
El Gamma Penumbra got the world’s attention, not only for their talent, but also for the social relevance of their acts.
The 19 members vote for their socially-relevant topic to act out on stage.
“Sobrang importante na bawat performance namin ay may social relevance kasi kailangan naming ipalabas ang mga bagay na nakakalimutan na, katulad ng world peace and environmental awareness,” Pabia said.
For their final act on AGT, El Gamma Penumbra performed a touching tribute to Mother Nature.
Humble beginnings
El Gamma Penumbra shifted from being a hip-hop dance group to a shadow play group to get more attention because of the uniqueness of their acts.
Rowell Amano shared how their shift to shadow play was merely an accident that has now brought them international fame.
The members, who all hail from Tanauan, Batangas, also detailed how hard it was for the group to rehearse their acts when they initially lacked resources and proper training.
The group takes pride on how they made their way up from practicing in a basketball court and only using tarpaulin and halogen lamps.
“From scratch, hanggang sa nag-level-up na kami,” Amano said.
[Translation: “We started from scratch, and we worked until we were able to level up.”]
After all their success, Ronell Amano said they would still continue to give inspiration to everyone who supported them.
