Swirtty Mae Nibley is better known by her screen name Sophia Montecarlo. She used to be a contestant on the reality television show Born Diva. She represented Philippines and won several gold and silver medals for the World Championship of Performing Arts in 2010. Winner of Kumoricon Idol in November 2019. Due to pandemic she holds the title of Kumoricon Idol title for 2 years in a row.
Sophia Montecarlo | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Swirtty Mae Nibley |
| Also known as | Sophia, Swirtty, Trinity's Songbird, The Dazzling Diva |
| Born | March 1, 1986 Malate, Manila, Philippines |
| Genres | Pop, Latin, Alternative |
| Occupations |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | Star Records (2004–2005) Vocal Sync (2011–2012) |
| Website | sophiamontecarlo |
Early life
editSwirtty was born in Echelon Tower Malate, Manila to Aladino and Melinda Nibley and lived most of her life in Quezon City.[1] Nibley is the only child of Aladino and Melinda. She has a very diverse background, her family hails from a multiracial clan, she's half Filipino, part Japanese, Vietnamese, Scottish, Spanish, and White American. Her grandfather is Scottish-American and her grandmother is Filipino, Spanish and Vietnamese. She was raised as a Roman Catholic. Her father was such a big fan of Vilma Santos that he named his only child after the star mayor's son Luis Manzano (also known as Lucky Manzano); she was baptized Swirtty Mae Nibley. Her father must have been totally star-struck as he trained his daughter to sing, starting at age 3. Swirtty's parents separated when she was three, however, they remained on good terms, after which she was raised by her father and grandfather.
During her childhood, Swirtty performed at Manila Hotel, Manila Pavilion and Holiday Inn Manila. While at Trinity High School, she was a Rotary Club member. When Nibley was in high school, she and her father Aladino traveled to Tutuban Center every Tuesday and Thursday. She was cast in CU@E ETV39. She joined the television series until its cancellation in 2001. She graduated from Trinity High School in 2003.
The youngest and the 6th grand finalist of the Born Diva TV series,[2] said she could sing as many as 20 songs every day when she reached her teens. She pursued her college at Trinity University of Asia and finish Mass Communication major in Broadcast Journalism. While studying she also worked part-time at Trinity as a student assistant.
Personal life and career
editPersonal life
- She started singing at the age of 3.
- She joined and won several contests. Her first television debut on Eat Bulaga!, a hit noontime variety show in Philippines, happened when she was just eleven.
- She has a whistle register (only heard in rare recordings and outtakes).
- She auditioned for Star Circle Quest, Star in a Million and The X Factor Philippines.
- She was voted off in Born Diva on the third round even she got the highest votes through text and internet.
- 3 days Champion in Magandang Tanghali Bayan Bidaoke
- Goddaughter of Jograd Dela Torre and Aga Muhlach
- Sophia, Kontin Roque and Ahron Villena attended and graduated from the same school in March 2010 Trinity University of Asia School in Quezon City, a middle competency university, with fellow actors Megan Young, Alfred Navarro, Che Tolentino, Charles Christianson, Bryan Termulo, Kris Bernal. Sugar Mercado, Erich Gonzales, Alvin Aragon, Eslove Briones, Shey Bustamante, Joe Vargas and Marco Aytona.
Senator Manny Pacquiao, Hon. Banal, Jorge "Bolet, Hon. Belmonte, Feliciano Jr. R. and other Congressmen recognize and congratulate Swirtty in The Sandiganbayan; a special appellate collegial court in the Philippines. On occasion when she brought home awards from WCOPA.
Born Diva performances
edit- Audition – September 21, 2004. Sophia sang "Love Takes Time" by Mariah Carey, and "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" by Lani Misalucha.
- Born Diva's group performance – Zsa Zsa Padilla sang with Sophia Montecarlo and Leila Vargas and they chose the song "Luha" by Aegis.
- Sophia Montecarlo and Zsa Zsa Padilla's duet – Unleashed the Diva
- Born Diva's group performances – Point of No Return, Bring Me to Life, Waiting for Tonight, Le Freak.
| Week # | Song choice | Original artist | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 16 | "Halik" | Aegis | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 8 | "Reason to go on" | Sophia Montecarlo | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 7 | "Love Takes Time" | Mariah Carey | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 6 | "Objection (Tango)" | Shakira | Eliminated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand Final | "The Journey" | Lea Salonga | Guest |
Discography
editAlbum
edit- Born Diva
- Reason To Go On by: Vehnee Saturno
- Released: December 20, 2005 (U.S.)
Single release
edit"Find Me"
- Find Me by: Jonbudz Rocio
- Released:
June 1, 2011 (U.S.)
World Championship of Performing Arts
editIn 2010[3] Sophia was chosen as one of the representatives of the Philippine Team for the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA),[4] where she competed for the senior division. Her awards are as follows:
- SILVER – Female Vocal Contemporary – 18–24
- SILVER – Female Vocal Latin – 18–24
- SILVER – Female Vocal Open – 18–24
- BRONZE – Female Vocal Rock – 18–24
Charity work
editIn December 2011, Nibley performed with De La Salle University students and donated the pledge money they collected to the Benefit of Sendong survivors. She is active in helping with a non-profit organization for seniors and people with disabilities by providing an affordable, personal, volunteer-based grocery shopping.
| Year | Title | Venue | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Bb. Caloocan (Judge) | Caloocan City | |
| Find Me Single Released | DWIZ | ||
| 2012 | Rachell Allen (Guest) with Miguel Mendoza | Quezon City | |
| New You Magazine Special Featured | Metro Manila | ||
| 2014–2017 | FrightTown | Moda Center | |
| 2016 | El Grito De Independencia | Moda Center | |
| 2016 | 82nd Avenue of Roses | Eastport Plaza | |
| 2015–present | Jade International Night Market | Jade District |
Awards
edit- 2000 – Manila News Star Ang Sandigan Ng Bayan : The Outstanding Performer of the Year
- 2004 – Dazzling Diva of ABS-CBN Born Diva
- 2009 – Studio 23 Myx Why Men Love Whisper : Top 3 Best Photo story for the month of April & Top 2 grandfinalist
- 2010 – WCOPA (World Championships of Performing Arts) Medalist
- 2010 – Featured Global Pinoy on The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN
- 2010 – Filipino-American Vocal Arts Online Music : Best Rock Solo Vocalist
- 2010 – Trinity University of Asia – Most Outstanding Student in Cultural and Performing Arts
- 2013 – 50th Founding Anniversary Trinity University of Asia : Special Citation
- 2014 – 10th Anniversary Fright Town : Special Citation
- 2016 – Trio Club : 2nd runner up
- 2019 – Kumoricon Idol : Champion
- 2021 – Store to Door June Volunteer Spotlight
Filmography
editTelevision and Shows
edit| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Birit Baby | Swirtty Mae Nibley | GMA Network |
| 1999–2001 | CU@E ETV 39 | Santina | People's Television Network |
| 2004 | MTV Supahstar | Swirtty Mae Nibley | MTV Philippines |
| 2004 | All Star K! | Swirtty Mae Nibley | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Born Diva | Sophia Montecarlo | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Breakfast (TV series) | Sophia Montecarlo | Studio 23 |
| 2004 | Homeboy (TV show) | Sophia Montecarlo | ABS-CBN |
| 2004 | Magandang Tanghali Bayan | Sophia Montecarlo | ABS-CBN |
| 2005 | Chowtime Na! | Sophia Montecarlo | IBC |
| 2005 | Wowowee | Sophia Montecarlo | ABS-CBN |
| 2004–2005 | ASAP Mania | Sophia Montecarlo | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman | Swirtty Mae Nibley | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Why Men Love Whisper | Swirtty Mae Nibley | MYX |
| 2011 | The Filipino Channel | Swirtty Mae Nibley | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Wil Time Bigtime | Swirtty Mae Nibley | TV5 |
Movies
edit| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Best Fake Friends | Club Girl | Paul Kampf | The first film under the Kampf-Radar partnership is "Homecoming," a dark comedy written by Sarah Hehman and Christi Sperry. |
| 2017 | Zombie Day Apocalypse | Fleeing Citizen | George C. Romero |
Zombie Day Apocalypse, to be held on Labor Day during the 2015 Portland Film Festival, which will take place September 1–7, will attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for most extras in a short film. |
| 2018 | Interconnect | Woman in Bar | Nivi Singh |
Interconnect tells the story of Bela, a garment worker in Bangladesh, while dreaming of an education for her daughter and a better life for her family. On the opposite side of the world, Scott works in American retail fashion industry and travels the globe in search of suppliers. After years of putting pressure on offshore manufacturers while driving company profits higher, Scott finds himself in crisis after tragedy strikes. Based on true events. |
| 2019 | The Quiet Crowd | Art Critic | David Hayden |
Sophie, a PSU art student, has been killed in her apartment, and the crime scene has been staged like a living art piece. All around her are clues of her time in the quiet crowd. |
| 2020 | Inspiration Road | Churchgoer | Rob Nelson |
Coming-of-age road trip buddy story canvassing the great USA. |
References
editNote: All citations to magazine articles lead to a website where scans of these magazines can be viewed
- ^ [1] ManilaBulletin.com Retrieved on October 12, 2004.
- ^ [2] ManilaBulletin.com Retrieved on June 10, 2011.
- ^ [3] Flippish.com Retrieved on August 20, 2010.
- ^ "Artists Spotlight – Filipino-American Vocal Arts". Archived from the original on August 16, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2011. Filipinoamericanvocalarts.com Retrieved on January 14, 2011.