Moms and Dads

What We Know About America’s Got Talent: Roland “Bunot” Abante

by Kevyn Gohu
June 19, 2023

Here’s what we know about America’s GOT contestant Roland “Bunot” Abante.

Music plays a big role in Filipino culture — from the many folksongs sung in the past to memorizing all the classic karaoke favorites during family parties. It’s why Filipinos like Tyson Venegas and Roland “Bunot” Abante have made waves internationally as singers. But who is Roland “Bunot” Abante and where is he from? Here’s what we know!

1. Roland “Bunot” Abante is from Cebu

He was born and lived much of his life in Cebu City. Roland came from humble beginnings. He learned how to sing with his parents’ support, eventually becoming a singer who often had videoke gigs in his neighborhood. He also pays tribute to his homeland when the translator spoke to him in Cebuano as he introduced himself to the judges. Moreover, he spoke Cebuano during his audition.

2. He’s a dad!

Roland Abante is married to Sethland and they have a son, Grake, who is also said to be an exceptional singer, just like his father.

3. He’s a fisherman by day, a delivery man by afternoon, and a singer by heart

Singing is not a career that easily makes money when starting out. As a dad, Roland Abante works as a fisherman in the morning and as a deliveryman in the afternoon.

4. Roland’s had a few other performances before, mostly in the slow jazz genre

Roland Abante also performed on Tawag ng Tanghalan, singing “To Love Somebody.” He performed Chicago’s You’re The Inspiration, Kailangan Kita, and After All, too.

5. He supports another artist group: the D’Sweepers

Even with his career as a singer, Roland offers support to other bands that are just starting out such as D’Sweepers, since he knows what it is like to just start out.

6. His audition got 3.1 M views in one day

Although the man didn’t get the golden buzzer, he earned a standing ovation. Plus, the video of his audition on America’s Got Talent’s YouTube channel gained 3.1 M views in one day. Currently, the video of Roland Abante’s rendition of “When A Man Loves A Woman” is at 3.4 M views.

Music is part of the Filipino soul

Filipinos love to sing, as it expresses feelings that words cannot. They sing when they’re happy, sad, and a lot of times, to express the hugot they’ve dealt with in their lives. But those feelings, when translated into a passion, create singers like Roland Abante who we hope will make it far in America’s Got Talent. Good luck, Roland!