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MANILA, Philippines – Cardong Trumpo, whose real name is Ricardo Cadavero, captivated the nation and spun his way into history on Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) Season 7.
After a spectacular performance at the two-day Final Showdown, Cardong Trumpo was crowned the grand winner on Sunday, June 22.
The 55-year-old construction worker and loving father from Dasmariñas, Cavite, charmed audiences and judges alike with his unique and breathtaking skill: trumpo (traditional Filipino spinning top) artistry.
Personal story
Cardong Trumpo’s triumphant PGT performance wasn’t his first foray into showcasing his unique talents onscreen. He previously appeared on other Philippine variety shows under monikers like “Trumpo Master,” and “The Legend,” donning ornate costumes of the same historical aesthetic as his finale attire.
Prior televised performances include feats as a Monthly Winner on It’s Showtime’s “PINASikat,” and Grand Finalist on Wowowin’s “Wil to Win.”
His upbringing profoundly shaped his connection to trumpo spinning, the beloved Filipino game played with a pear-shaped wooden top.
He shared the game’s poignant connection to his own childhood at the PGT auditions, stating, “Wala po kaming magulang na naggabay maliban sa isang nanay lang. Ito ang naging daan ko ‘pag malungkot.”
(We did not have parents to guide us, aside from one mother. This was my way of coping when I was sad.)
Cardong Trumpo, whose passion and expertise in his craft often granted him standing ovations, was affectionately described as having a pusong bata (childlike heart) by PGT judge Eugene Domingo.
This childlike wonder is evident in his ingenuity, as he crafts his own intricate trumpo props directly from construction scraps, transforming discarded materials into tools for his mesmerizing performances.
As a loving father, his aspirations have always been centered on his family’s well-being. During the PGT semifinals, he notably expressed his dream of moving his household to a safer home, as their current residence is situated precariously close to high-voltage power lines.
It was with these deeply personal hopes and a lifetime of dedication to his extraordinary art that Cadavero finally stepped onto his greatest stage yet.
Journey on ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’
Trumpo — once a staple of Filipino childhood in the 80s to the early 2000s — is a traditional spinning top game that brought streets to life with skill, play and camaraderie.
For Cardong Trumpo, his journey began as a mission to revive the lost childhood treasure and introduce it for today’s youth.
“Bubuhayin ko, bibigyan ko ng magandang modelo para sa mga kabataan (I will revive it, I will be a good example for the youth),” he shared passionately during his first PGT performance.
What was once a simple childhood game of trumpo was transformed with his jaw dropping skill: balancing it on a pencil tip, spinning it on a stack of cards, gliding it across a metal rod, even orbiting the mouth of an open bottle. He ended his performance with a move no one saw coming — balancing the trumpo on a sewing needle.
PGT judge Kathryn Bernardo called his act a “perfect entry” for Pilipinas Got Talent.
The spinning top showman dreamt of performing on the PGT stage, and he walked off with a nod from all four judges and the hearts of everyone watching.
In the semi-finals, the construction worker by profession stepped up his trumpo game and showed a bolder performance.
He balanced one spinning top directly on the tip of another, stacked the wooden toy atop a single spinning card, and sent one gliding down a metal spiral prop. It fell on the first try but nailed it on the second, earning him cheers from the crowd.
Then came the threads: two adjacent spinning tops danced their way down the first thread, and Cardong closed his second act with a daring attempt of guiding the trumpo across a tight line — mirroring how a man walks past a tightrope.
PGT judge Eugene Domingo watched his entire act with teary eyes, and by the end, she declared, “Ikaw ang mukha ng Pilipino: nagsusumikap, hindi sumusuko, at ginagamit ang talento.” (You are the face of the Filipino: hardworking, resilient, and making the most of your talent.)
It didn’t take long for her words to feel like a prophecy.
For Cardong Trumpo’s final act, a throne stood at the center of the stage. It served a striking message: he wasn’t there to play. The PGT stage had become his kingdom, and he came to reign.
The “Hari ng Trumpo” spun his way to victory, and was crowned the Grand Winner of Pilipinas Got Talent Season 7 with a historic near-perfect score of 99.5%.
His win contains multitudes of milestones for the talent show, as Cardong Trumpo breaks the two-season streak of dancer winners, marks the third consecutive win by a non-singing talent, and is the first non-golden buzzer act to win since the feature was introduced in 2016 with Season 5.
Upon winning the title of the Philippines’ most talented, Cardong Trumpo emotionally proclaimed, “Pangarap ko lang po ‘yung isang kilong bigas magkasya lang sa tatlong beses sa isang araw. Pero sobra-sobra itong binigay ‘nyo sa akin.”
(My only dream was to make a kilo of rice last for three meals a day. But what you have given me is more than enough.)
Now, with the ₱2 million grand prize in hand, the PGT Grand Winner plans to use the money for his child’s tuition fee, underscoring his commitment to his family.
Cardong Trumpo’s victory not only breaks Pilipinas Got Talent records but also showcases how ingenuity and dedication to a unique, traditional skill can lead to monumental success.
In Season 7, the title contenders alongside him included LGBTQ+ hip-hop dance group Femme MNL, who secured second place, and magician Carl Quion, who finished in third.
The trumpo master’s triumph signifies his succession of Kristel de Catalina, the spiral pole dancer who won Season 6. He now stands among a prestigious list of PGT champions, including iconic singers like Season 1 winner, the late Jovit Baldivino, and Season 2’s dual-voiced Marcelito Pomoy. – Rappler.com
Angela Divina is a Rappler intern studying Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at the Ateneo de Manila University.
Blaise Rellata is a Rappler intern from Mapua University.
