RICARDO Cadavero – best known as Cardong Trumpo – the spinning top exhibitionist from Dasmarinas, Cavite, made history on Sunday, June 22, as the very first act in the history of “Pilipinas Got Talent” to receive an almost perfect score in the finale.
Cardo, a construction worker, received a score of 99.5% for his final performance – way ahead of second placer Femme MNL (50.4%) and third placer Carl Quion (47.8%).
According to veteran judge Freddie M. Garcia, Cardo’s feat is “unprecedented.”
“It’s such a unique talent,” he said. “I mean, who would think a trumpo would win this grand final? It brought me back to my childhood days, when I would play trumpo. Ang galing niya, ibang-iba kasi.”
For his achievement, Cardo received the top prize of P2 million, which the champion said he will take care of.
“Ang gusto ko magka-bigas lang ako, tapos bahala na bukas,” he said. “Pero ito, sobra-sobra ito.”
His first order of business after winning is to pay off his debts and take care of his family, Cardo said.
“‘Yung pamilya ko, gusto kong maalis (yung bahay), kasi nasa ilalim kami ng kuryente. Matutupad na siguro ‘yun. Pero unahin ko ‘yung utang ko, sir, ayokong magsinungaling. Araw-araw hindi pwedeng walang utang, sir, eh. Pagpasok ko ng trabaho, ipangungutang ko muna,” he said.
Moreover, Cardo is proud that he can pay his children’s tuition fees.
“May isa akong anak, hindi ko naihabol sa pag-enroll. Problema kasi, wala talagang pera eh. Pero eto na ko ngayon, tulad ng sabi ko, iingatan ko ito. Gagamitin ko sa magandang paraan. Hindi magsisisi ‘yung mga tao na nagbigay sa akin nito,” he assured.
Second placer Femme MNL received P150,000 while magician Carl Quion who placed third, took home P100,000. (ABS-CBN News)
