Biography of Laarni Lozada

Laarni Lozada (born Laarni Losala) is a Filipino Pop/Ballad singer. She is the winner [1] Pinoy Dream Academy, Philippine's franchise of Endemol's Star Academy after only a little more than 100,000 votes seperated her from her strongest contender, Bugoy Drillon.

Early life

Laarni was born in [2]Pasig City to [3]William and Nita Losala but later moved to Isulan, Sultan Kudarat. She has two siblings, [4]Richard and Cristina Losala.In elementary and high school, she was a consistent honor student. When she was 15 years old, her Aunt from the US enrolled her at the School of Music of The Philippine Women's University. She decided to shift her course from AB Music to [5]BS Education, Major in English due to her lack of eloquence in the language. Thanks to her talent, she became a University scholar. She also worked as a student assistant of the school.

As a singer, she sang for different functions, singing competitions and other guestings. [6]Before Pinoy Dream Academy, Laarni joined different singing competitions in her hometown and in Manila. She became runner-up in the now-defunct singing competition, Sing Galing of ABC5. She won the Rotary Club Intercollegiate/University singing competition, besting 25 schools in Manila by rendering the patriotic anthem "Dakilang Lahi". She also won the National Grand Finals of the "Campus Idol" search, by delivering "What Kind of Fool Am I?"

Laarni also joined various chorales in Manila. [7]She joined the PWU Church chorale, The Ambassadors of Light, The Malate Church Chorale and the Coro de San Sebastian. Through her extensive chorale background, she was able to sing with the Coro de San sebastian with the Philippine Madrigal Singers in a Madrigal Et Al concert.

[8]Leaving Sultan Kudarat at an early age, she became independent and worked as a wedding singer in different churches, hotels and venues all over the metropolis. One of her jobs was at the [9]Calesa Bar, where she was mentored by Mr. Rudy Francisco, the musical director of the said bar.

Pinoy Dream Academy

Main article: Pinoy Dream Academy (season 2)

In hearing that a new season of Pinoy Dream Academy was coming, Laarni decided to audition with her rendition of Lead Me Lord. A long process of elimination ensued and she became the fifteenth scholar of the academy. In entering, she was last to be picked in the academy organization, One Voice, where she became the center of controversy. She had many disputes with her fellow scholars, which caused emotional tension inside the academy. After One Voice lost one of their org competitions, she was transferred to Pupilars. Laarni went on probation twice and became star scholar on the ninth week garnering her a chance to perform in ASAP.

After 13 weeks in the academy, Laarni was hailed the Grand Star Dreamer on September 14, 2008 at the Cuneta Astrodome, garnering 651,696 votes (35.21% of the total votes), on the shows two-night finale.

Her first single, Manalig Ka, was written by Ryan Cayabyab. It is included in the Top 10 scholar's album, namely Scholar's Sing Cayabyab.

* Official Performances
1. In Your Eyes - Regine Velasquez
2. As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
3. Fighter - Christina Aguilera
4. Kung Ako Na Lang Sana - Bituin Escalante, with Iñaki
5. Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
6. Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire, with Apple & Miguel
7. Too Much Heaven - The Bee Gees, with Apple & Miguel
8. ‘Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin - April Boy Regino
9. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
10. On The Wings of Love / Back at One - Regine Velasquez / Brian McKnight, counterpoint with Bugoy
11. The Prayer - Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion, with Jed Madela
12. I Am Blessed - Eternal
13. Waray Waray - Lani Misalucha
14. Manalig Ka - Laarni Losala
15. Boogie Wonderland - Earth, Wind & Fire
* Face-Off Performances
1. And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holliday, with Poy
* ASAP Performances
1. Hiram - Zsazsa Padilla, with Zsazsa Padilla
2. Starting Over Again - Natalie Cole, with Sheryn Regis

Television

* Sing Galing as Herself
* Pinoy Dream Academy: Season 2 as Herself (2008)
* ASAP '08 as Herself (2008)
* The Singing Bee as Herself (2008)
* Wowowee as Herself (2008)