Ricardo Cadavero, widely known as “Cardong Trumpo,” a 55-year-old traditional spinning top performer from Cavite, has been named the grand champion of “Pilipinas Got Talent Season 7.”

He secured the title during the two-night finale held at The Theater at Solaire on June 21 and 22, captivating both the Power Judges and the viewing public with his unique act, earning an impressive 99.5% combined score. Cadavero, visibly emotional, accepted the grand prize of ₱2 million.

Cardong Trumpo’s journey to victory began with a humble appearance on the “PGT” stage, armed only with his spinning tops, string, and simple props. Introducing himself as a 55-year-old carpenter, he expressed immense joy and a desire to reintroduce a potentially forgotten Filipino tradition to a new generation with a modern twist.

He immediately impressed Power Judges Freddie “FMG” Garcia, Eugene Domingo, Kathryn Bernardo, and Donny Pangilinan. After keeping them guessing about his act, he effortlessly launched his “trumpo,” eliciting immediate “wows” with its smooth, stable spin. He meticulously transferred the spinning top from a platform to his palm, then to the sharpened tip of a pencil, all without breaking its momentum.

His repertoire expanded with tricks involving a stack of playing cards, where he balanced the trumpo on the deck’s corner while removing cards one by one, and a sequence where the top “traveled” along a thin metal rod and spun around the mouth of a small plastic bottle. He concluded his performance by spinning the trumpo on the tip of a needle, earning a standing ovation from all four judges and the enthusiastic audience, who clamored for a Golden Buzzer. While the golden confetti didn’t fall, the admiration was undeniable, with Judge FMG praising his obvious talent and patience.

Beyond his captivating performances, Cadavero works as a carpenter, a skill that inspired him to craft his own spinning tops from construction scraps. He takes great pride in using only self-made trumpo for his acts.

Even before being crowned champion, Cardong Trumpo had already become a trending favorite on X (formerly Twitter). Viewers widely praised his act for celebrating Filipino culture, with one user expressing a popular sentiment: “What a beautiful representation of Filipino culture. I became interested in playing trumpo again instead of just gadgets. I hope Tatay Cardong Trumpo gets a chance to join international competitions! Rooting for you!”