Karaoke lands city accountant in the national spotlight

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 14, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

What started as an after-tax-season work party turned into a karaoke competition for a Lethbridge accountant that ultimately landed her on the national stage.
When Shine Landayan-Blanco went out to celebrate the end of their busy season at Ten Ten Pub earlier this year, she was not expecting to come across an opportunity to enter into a singing competition.
“I didn’t even know about this competition and while having some drinks they just randomly announced that there was a competition going on and I thought it was just a local competition, so I went up and joined,” said Landayan-Blanco.
She said she was even more surprised when she found out the competition was part of an even bigger competition, the World Karaoke Championships (WKC).
“I won first place in Lethbridge, second place in provincials and fourth place in the nationals,” said Landayan-Blanco.  
She said she competed against more than 50 people at the national level and about 30 people provincially.
The regional competition took place in the May, the provincial competition e in Calgary at the beginning of July and the nationals were held earlier this month in Calgary, as well.
“The top two of the WKC Nationals are going to Panama for the World Championship. There will be an event on Oct. 1 to raise funds for the Canadian representatives up in Calgary and I will be performing there as well,” said Landayan-Blanco.
Even though the competition itself came as a surprise, Landayan-Blanco is not new to the music scene. She said she had entered previous competitions on a much smaller scale and is also part of a band.
“I am a member of the band called Jam Nuts. We perform at any event including weddings and birthday parties. My bandmates performed at the Raymond Music Festival without me since I was at the WKC Nationals,” said Landayan-Blanco.
She said she had mentioned that she liked to sing to her co-workers at Moriyama Wolsey LLP but they did not know to what expect, so it was a surprise to them when she entered the competition and won.
Landayan-Blanco said her co-workers were very supportive during her competitions with some of them going up to Calgary to watch her and give their support during the provincials and nationals.
“I am very grateful to everyone who continuously supports me in my singing career, including my friends and family, my Moriyama Wolsey LLP co-workers, and the Filipino Canadian Association of Lethbridge, Alberta,” said Landayan-Blanco.
In terms of what is next, Landayan-Blanco said she has applied to a talent competition and is waiting to hear back from them and will provide an update when and if she gets accepted.

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