Try GOLD - Free

Second time's a charm for Jong Madaliday

Manila Bulletin

|

September 13, 2025

The stage lights dimmed, and the audience held its breath in anticipation. In an unforgettable moment, Clashbacker and Season 1 runner-up Jong Madaliday was named The Clash 2025 grand champion.

- ROBERT REQUINTINA

Second time's a charm for Jong Madaliday

After months of soaring vocals, heartfelt performances, and nail-biting eliminations, the competition culminated in a finale on Sept. 7 that was nothing short of spectacular, showcasing the power of perseverance and talent.

Outshining fellow contenders, Jong delivered a performance of "Someone You Loved" that was equal parts power and soul, an act that resonated with both The Clash panel and the millions of viewers cheering from home.

The journey to the top was anything but easy. This season's finalists, Arabelle Dela Cruz, Liafer Deloso, and Juary Sabith, also brought outstanding talents of their own, making the battle for the title more intense and inspiring than ever. Their performances added depth, diversity, and heart to the competition, reminding everyone that The Clash is a true celebration of Filipino artistry.

MORE STORIES FROM Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Metrobank earnings reach record ₱37.3B

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. (Metrobank) reported a record ₱37.3 billion in net earnings in the first nine months of the year, a 4.3-percent increase from 2024, driven by strong loan growth, improved margins, and healthy trading income.

time to read

1 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Guarding against complacency

Rain or Shine guns for solo lead vs Phoenix

time to read

1 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Cyberbullies' latest victim

We stand by the family of \"Kuya\" Kim Atienza in this sad moment in their lives following the demise of their daughter Emmanuelle, known by her social media influencer name \"Emman.\" We understand that Emman had passed away at the very young age of 19, an apparent victim of those deadly scourges of modern times - cyberbullying and online harassment.

time to read

3 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

ERC broadens consumer energy choice

The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has approved two key measures to expand consumer choice and advance the country's shift to a smarter, more efficient power grid.

time to read

2 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

A feast of firsts

Michelin Guide leads a star-studded celebration of Filipino culinary excellence

time to read

1 min

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila City Council approves ₱25-B budget for 2026

The 13th City Council of Manila, led by Vice Mayor Chi Atienza, has approved the city's ₱25-billion executive budget for fiscal year 2026, reaffirming its commitment to social services, transparency, and accountable governance.

time to read

2 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Rizal’s bust in Paris missing-DFA

\"The bust was likely removed overnight between the 25th and 26th of October 2025,\" the department added.

time to read

1 min

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

BSP: Economy to stay resilient

The Philippines' domestic-oriented economy is expected to shield the country from the full impact of global slowdowns, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Zeno Ronald R. Abenoja said.

time to read

2 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Only in the Philippines

A couple of columns ago, I wrote about the success of Filipino cuisine on the global stage, as well as the advantages of the entry of diverse global cuisines in the Philippines, both of which have enriched our culture.

time to read

3 mins

November 5, 2025

Manila Bulletin

Make access to Al a human right

We don't mint new human rights lightly. But we should add one now: the right to access capable, safe AI. Around the world, language is the gateway to opportunity; AI is a universal language machine that translates, tutors, summarizes, designs, and reasons across barriers of literacy, disability, and geography. When a technology is this general and transformative, withholding it isn't neutral-it sorts people into those who can participate fully in education, the economy, civic life, and those who can't.

time to read

2 mins

November 5, 2025

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size