Filipino singer Roland Abante started trending after Tuesday’s America’s Got Talent (AGT) season 18 performance.

When Abante appeared on the stage with his translator, the singer explained what he did. 

He is a fisherman in the morning and a courier and ride-share driver through the rest of the day. He also never learned to sing; he only sang back home during karaoke.

Even on a vast stage and crowd, Abante sang, backed himself, and impressed everyone. With his performance the clip has been trending on YouTube with hundreds-thousands of people watching his performance. 

There were comments about people knowing Abante from Santander, Cebu, where Abante is from. Commenters talked about how much of a humble person Abante is and how proud they are of the Filipinos who reached a huge stage. 

When the judges asked Abante why he joined AGT, the man said, “This is my big dream, to be here,” as tears flowed down his face.

Despite an awkward pause and a hug from one of the judges Heidi Klum, Abante performed “When a Man Loves a Woman,” written by Calvin Lewis and Andrew Wright, and got a standing ovation from all four of the judges along with loud cheering from the crowd that was amazed by his talent. 

“I don’t think you could have done it better,” Heidi Klum complimented. “Mic drop. You left it all on the stage, you were amazing, you should be very proud of yourself.”

Sofia Vergara hinted at a career change for the singer/fisherman, “I have a feeling you’ll going to have to stop fishing because this is where you need to be.”

Simon Cowell stated, “You were so nervous I genuinely thought for one moment you wouldn’t be able to do this. And then that happened, And it made me love this audition even more. I like you. That was a great audition. Really brilliant.”

Watch Roland Abante’s performance here:

– WhatALife!/Zain

Source: (1), (2)

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Also read: LIST: Filipino Talents Who Shined on America’s Got Talent