Words by Ces Olondriz

I started out my art education in a small school, in a small town, in the middle of the Florida penninsula. While there, I met Nick, a person so genuine and unique in spirit it could easily have been called a once in a lifetime crossing of paths.

Nicks talent is singing. I learned of this at the orientation week of college where the upperclassmen would show a talent to break the ice. He walked up on stage as a tall and boyishly handsome fella with hair fit for any production from Hairspray to Grease. He turned into a YouTube sensation when he submitted a video to a singing contest, which funny enough, didn’t grant him the winning entry but was seen over 3 million times. He posted up a video titled “Me Singing A Whole New World Disney’s Aladdin Nick Pitera (Cover).”

The video has amassed almost 26 and a half million views since 2007. Together, his videos have been seen over 87 million times. His talent sent him straight to the studio of Ellen de Generes where he sang his cover. There isn’t much else I want to say, I’ve flaunted the facts and numbers already and all you have to do is press play. So, without further introduction, I present to you Mr. Nick Pitera.

Here’s to you Nick!

 
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Follow Ces on twitter: @cesolondriz /// The November 2011 issue of Esquire Philippines is out now