By Rusieljs G. Lunasco

Carnaje poses for a photo at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

John Bryan Carnaje, a CPU Master of Business Administration (MBA) student from 2015-2019, bagged three medals during the World Championships of  Performing Arts (WCOPA) last July 12-21, 2019 at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, Long Beach, California, USA.

Carnaje won gold medal as well as champion of the world in the Country and Western Music category and division, respectively, silver medal in the Latin category and bronze for the Original Works category.

“I feel so happy and blessed. It’s truly an honor to represent the Philippines in the world stage,” Carnaje said.

Carnaje, with fellow WCOPA Champion Jed Madela.

Prior to joining the WCOPA, Carnaje worked as a Human Resource Officer at a construction firm and was enrolled in the MBA Program of the CPU School of Graduate Studies.

“I sacrificed a lot for the competition. I had to resign from work and put graduate school on hold. It was really difficult,” Carnaje said.

Aside from preparing for the competition, Carnaje also had to raise funds to cover for his travel expenses and allowance. He said he is “forever grateful” to all his family and friends who supported him.

“I am thankful to everyone who helped me throughout this journey, most especially the CPU community; to Dr. Teodoro Robles and my Graduate School family,” Carnaje said. He also shared that he was able to affirm the “Central Spirit” through the generous hearts of Sir Geoffrey Leysa and the CCINAA (CPU-Capiz Emmanuel Hospital-Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses Alumni Association) who made sure he was well-taken care of during his stay in the US.

“I dedicate my WCOPA win to CPU, to the Ilonggos and all the Filipinos,” Carnaje said.

World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) is an Olympic-style international meet for aspiring singers, musicians, dancers, variety artists, actors and models. Contestants from over 60 countries join the said competition each year.