With their dreams and passion as weapons, 12 Filipino singers are buckling up for combat to become the newest “Tawag ng Tanghalan” champion in the week-long grand finals that kicks off on Wednesday (September 25) and concludes on Saturday (September 28) at the Caloocan Sports Complex, airing live on “It’s Showtime” on ABS-CBN.

The last slot in the “huling tapatan” was filled today (September 21) by Kim Nemenzo, who secured her hold on the seat of power for the entire Final Resbak week, the last leg of the competition before the grand finals.

From an initial 13-grand-finalist roster, the ‘huling tapatan’ will come down to 12 grand finalists after Mariko Ledesma of Luzon backed out from the race.

Going into the battlefield are 12 astounding singers who are fighting for their dreams and families – three of them from Luzon, three from the Visayas, and six from Mindanao – but only one will come out victorious and become appointed as the newest soldier of original Pilipino music (OPM).

The long wait is over for the first “Tawag ng Tanghalan” record holder or a contestant that gains ten consecutive daily wins – Elaine Duran of Agusan del Norte, Ranillo Enriquez of Cebu, and the two JMs – another record holder John Mark Saga of Cavite and John Michael Dela Cerna of Davao, after having warmed up completely for the vocal warfare.

Also keeping their bases covered for victory are Charizze Arnigo of Surigao Del Norte and Jonas Oñate of Samar, as well as Violeta Bayawa of Zamboanga del Norte and Julius Cawaling of Cavite.

Unfazed by their opponents, raging on to war are Shaina Mae Allaga of Zamboanga del Sur and Rafaello Cañedo of Davao, Jermaine Apil of Laguna, and final resbaker Kim, who hails from Negros Occidental.

On the first two days of the ‘huling tapatan,’ (September 23 and 24), the 12 grand finalists will be divided into two groups and will perform their homecoming songs. The two contenders who will obtain the highest combined scores from the madlang people votes and judges’ scores will advance to the Saturday round, while the lowest scorers will be eliminated from the competition.

On both Wednesday and Thursday (September 25 and 26), one finalist will advance to the Saturday round and one will be sent home each day. Fight songs will be sung by the remaining eight finalists on Wednesday, while fast songs will be featured on Thursday.

The remaining four grand finalists on Friday (September 27) will have to go all-out for their “now or never” songs, because again, two of them will qualify for the Saturday round and the two lowest scorers will end their journey in the competition.

At the ‘huling tapatan’ on Saturday, the remaining six grand finalists will need to pull out all the stops as they sing their journey songs in the first round. From the six of them, only three will be named the Final Three, who will perform a medley of songs by an artist in their bid to become the grand champion. Again, the grand finalist who will record the highest combined score from the madlang people votes and judges’ scores will be named the grand champion.

The newest “Tawag ng Tanghalan” grand champion will win a brand new house and lot, a livelihood package, a family vacation package, a management contract with ABS-CBN, a recording contract under TNT Records, and P2 million.

Which warrior will come out the strongest? Whose voice will win over the madlang people and the judges?

Don’t miss the battle of voices and dreams in the week-long “Tawag ng Tanghalan: Ang Huling Tapatan” on “It’s Showtime” from Monday to Saturday (September 23 to 28) on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167). For updates, like www.facebook.com/TawagNgTanghalan and follow @tntabscbn on Twitter. To watch the program’s episode online, just download the iWant app (iOs and Andoid) or register via iwant.ph.