Angelle De Leon
Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 1 semi-finalist Joel Amper a.k.a. Big Mouth or BM shared how the reality talent show changed his life completely.
BM began to gain public attention in 2010 after he performed on PGT the song “Banal Na Aso,” mimicking a horse in some parts.
In an interview with DailyPedia, BM said he felt like a winner with the flood of offers he received after being seen on the PGT.
He said he has received international offers to appear on television shows in the United Kingdom (UK), Russia, Germany, and Taiwan and to perform in Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia.
“Because of PGT nakilala ako worldwide kahit semi-finalist lang ako. Akala ko nga tapos na ‘yun at hanggang doon na lang. Pero one day, I received a call from UK sa BBC TV kung saan they featured me to sing at sa isang TV show na ‘Mad Mad World‘ hosted by Paddy McGuinness. ‘Di pa ako nakakauwi ng Pinas dumating na invitation ko for First TV Moscow Russia and then sa ‘Das Super Talent’ in Bremen, Germany pati na rin sa ‘Super Star’ in Taiwan,” BM narrated.
“Nag-ikot na ako sa Europe for my tour. Nag-concert tour na rin ako for 2 consecutive years sa Canada and then may kumuha sa akin doon na mag-perform for 1 year sa isang bar sa Calgary, Alberta. Pagkatapos nito ay balik Pinas. Then, I performed naman twice sa Hong Kong and Taiwan for OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers). Last year, nag-concert naman ako sa Australia. Napakagandang experience bilang isang performer dahil enjoy ka na, libre pa lahat,” he added.
His life changed when a talent scout got in touch with him, asking if he could join the audition for the ABS-CBN reality talent competition show.
“Actually, napanood lang ako ng isang talent scout sa ABS-CBN. Nag-offer sila na baka puwede ako mag-join sa isang contest na first time in the Philippines,” BM shared.
“‘Di na nila ako pinag-audition at pinapila. Ini-schedule na lang nila ako ng isang VTR. Ayun, natanggap naman ako agad,” he added.
BM said he was already a stand-up comedian performing for about 5 years when he joined the PGT.
Before he became a stand-up comedian/performer in 2005, BM recalled that he used to loiter at a small videoke bar so he could sing.
He said he asked P5 coins from the customers so he could put into a coin-operated karaoke machine to play it and then he would sing.
“Tambay lang ako doon. I have a gay friend there na waitress so binibisita ko siya. Kapag may costumer humihingi ako ng 5-peso coin para makakanta,” BM shared.
“Then one night, kumakanta ako ng may isang babae na napansin ako. Siya si Ate Baby. She told me na puwede raw ako mag-comedy bar. She’s now in Malaysia. Doon siya kumakanta. Before kasi isa siyang comedienne,” he added.
BM said it was “Baby” who encouraged and helped him to audition at Funline, the first comedy bar that gave him the opportunity to perform in front of an audience.
“Sabi n’ya (Baby) mag-audition ako sa Funline along Roxas Blvd. Isang malaking comedy bar in Pasay. Sarado na ito ngayon. Pinapunta niya ako doon para mag-audition at ipakilala sa manager,” he narrated.
“Nanghiram pa ako ng outfit at nagpa-makeup sa friend ko. Tapos nagpasama ako sa friend ko kasi wala ako pamasahe that time. Kumanta ako ng 3 songs. Natanggap naman ako at nabigyan ng schedule na once a week. Then, nagbigay ako ng goal sa sarili ko na dapat sumikat ako at makapag-TV after 3 years at nangyari naman,” he added.
BM noted that he also got to perform in other local bars aside from Funline before he became a contestant of PGT.
“Ang dami-dami kong pinasukan na bars. Naikot ko ang Las Piñas, Parañaque, Cavite, Batangas, Malate (in Manila), and Quezon City,” he said.
BM proudly admitted that he is now 15 years into stand-up performances.
He noted that he continues to do out of town shows and do concerts abroad until now.
He added that he’s still performing at Zirkoh comedy bar in Tomas Morato and still doing gigs with his band Divalicious that is based in Angeles City.
When asked about his future plans, BM said he would like to put up a small business before he retires.
“Aside from owning a business, I hope I can still do gigs during that time,” he added.
