Abra song bird joins PH Team at World Championships of Performing Arts 2026

FEATURE

Bangued, Abra – A proud son of Abra is set to represent the voice of the province on the global stage as Mikko Osana Labuguen joins Team Philippines in the upcoming World Championships of Performing Arts 2026 (Vocal Category), which will be held on July 13–21 at the Westgate Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The WCOPA is an annual international competition that gathers talented performers from different countries to compete in various categories including singing, dancing, modeling, acting, and instrumental performance.

Often regarded as the “Olympics of the Performing Arts,” the event provides aspiring artists with a platform to showcase their talents on the world stage.

Labuguen is no stranger to performing, having joined several local and national singing competitions. He was hailed as the grand champion of Bangued Idol 2025 and later competed in GMA’s The Clash and ABS-CBN’s Tawag ng Tanghalan.

Labuguen’s journey in singing

In an interview with Guru Press Cordillera, Mikko shared how his journey in singing began, saying that music became his way of expressing emotions he could not always put into words. He also noted that growing up in a musically inclined family played a significant role in shaping his passion for singing.

“Singing started as something very personal for me. I began singing when I was only 5 years old. It was my way of expressing emotions I couldn’t always put into words. I grew up in a musically inclined family, and my biggest inspirations are both my parents… because of them, music has always been a part of my life,” Labuguen said.

Preparing for the competition

He also shared insights into his preparations for the upcoming competition, highlighting the intense vocal, physical, and mental training he has been undergoing.

“I’ve been putting in a lot of time and effort into my training—vocally, physically, and mentally. I make sure to stay disciplined and focused every day… I’m working on delivering a performance that people can truly feel. You can expect something genuine, something that represents who I am as an artist and as a singer,” he added.

Labuguen’s message to aspiring singers

Drawing from his journey in music, Labuguen encouraged aspiring singers to continue pushing forward, emphasizing that achieving one’s goals requires courage, patience, and consistency.

“To all aspiring singers, I want you to remember that every dream begins with a simple step. Never let fear or doubt stop you. Your voice is unique, your story matters, and your dreams are valid. Keep pushing forward… all your hard work will lead you to places you never imagined,” Labuguen said.