I’ve been to Sultan Kudarat and that’s about six hours from Davao City (where I reside) by bus though that far from the economic hub of the island (Davao City) it’s capital the Tacurong City is a progressive one … business is alive … with banks, big stores, there are internet cafes, restaurants and yet a lot of greens around … along the streets you could buy fresh pineapple .. singkamas and other seasoned fruits.

With Laarni to PDA she was a determined person and like her place it is teeming with development.

Gauging at how the scholars relate with each other, at first Laarni was not well received by the group. I hope it’s not because she’s a promdi she was frank in expressing that she hails from the province.

What is good with her she’s consistent of expressing that she’s proud to be from Sultan Kudarat.

Mindanao has more talents to be discovered and with Manny Pacquiao, the world champ in boxing and Laarani now as the new winner for singing, we from Mindanao has a lot of kababayans to be proud of.

Coming from a humble beginning and just like Manny Pacquiao who was determined to reach that dream … and grabbing that opportunity, made good with the fight – the competition, there is no reason not getting the highest spot.

And to Laarni the battle has started and expectations are big for those who follow her inside the Academy. And when success is with her we also expect she remains humble and her two feet on the ground.

Laarni Lozada of Sultan Kudarat was declared the Grand Star Dreamer in the second season of the ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Dream Academy at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City on Sunday night. Bugoy was first runner -up and Miguel the second runner-up.

Lozada garnered 651,696 votes, or 35.21% of the total text votes for the final, edging out first runner up Bugoy Drilon and second runner up Miguel Mendoza.

The PDA final, dubbed the “Grand Dream Night,” was held for two consecutive nights beginning Saturday. The Saturday show was for the finalists’ performances, while the Sunday telecast was for the announcement of the winners.

Lozada is the second PDA scholar to win the top prize. The first was Yeng Constantino in 2006.