Over 3,600 McDonalds employees from 53 countries participated in the 2008 Voice of McDonalds Global Singing Competition. The 3,600 entries were trimmed down to 35 semi-finalists and five of them are Filipinos! The 35 semi-finalists were being voted upon on the internet and the Top 14 who received the most number of votes advanced to the finals. 3 Filipinos made it to the Top 14. (video after the jump)

All 14 finalists performed live on stage at the at the 2008 McDonalds Worldwide Convention in Orlando, Florida. Three hopefuls advanced to the grand finale: Our very own Mary Margaret Yu from Davao del Sur, Candido Revilles (who is also a Filipino) representing Canada and Natercia Pintor from Portugal.

In the end, Natercia Pintor from Portugal who sang “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” won the grand prize. Mary Margaret Yu took won second place winning US $10,000.00. Candido Revilles took 3rd place and a cash prize of US$5,000.00.

Here’s the video clip of the winner, Natercia Pintor: