12-year-old Filipino-Australian Jal Joshua Lebumfacil placed second to the grand prize winner Mark Vincent in Australia’s Got Talent 2009.

“You’re really awesome. I hate opera but you’re really good.” said the pint-sized Jal to Mark right after the announcement of the winner, which drew admiration from the audience.

Jal sang Barry Manilow’s One Voice in the finals night, which earned him praises from the judges:

Dannii Minogue: “The purity of your voice is so, so beautiful. I actually watch the show back again just to see you sing and if there was young talent time, you’ll be on it so we could hear you singing every week”

Grant Denyer: “He continues to blow us ever since. There is no doubt we discovered an incredible young talent with a very broad future ahead. You are an unbelievable talent. Well done. Extraordinary talent. A great discovery.”

Opera singer Mark Vincent on the other hand won the $250,000 first prize.