Manila, meet Paul Potts

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Manila, meet Paul Potts

MANILA, Philippines - When Paul Potts debuts in Manila Oct. 8 at the PICC with soprano Rachelle Gerodias, he will be judged not so much for his voice but for his determination to pursue the art of singing.

Unlike Pavarotti and Carreras who also sang in the same venue 14 years ago, Potts did not start in a music conservatory and never had a formal opera-house debut-except for a stint in Bath Opera in Somerset, England, where he did some roles as an amateur singer.

But after he bought a cheap CD of Carreras singing a "La Boheme" aria, he took to music like an opera-obsessed convert. He took voice lessons and joined radio and TV contests just to get the prize money for voice lessons

Manila, meet Paul Potts