Ricardo Cadavero, popularly known as Cardong Trumpo, is undeniably one of the most well-supported Grand Champions in reality show history in recent years. There's no denying that the majority wanted him to win — not just because of his story, but because of his raw talent.
Even his fellow grand finalists in Pilipinas Got Talent Season 7 were rooting for him, a true testament to the respect he has earned not just from the audience, but from his peers as well.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, the spinning top master shared that he never considered his fellow finalists as rivals.
“Sila naman ay hindi ko itinuring na kalaban. Kasi ang gusto ko lang, sabi ng mga nandito, ‘Dito hindi kayo magkakalaban.’ Tama naman, gusto ko maging maganda lang ang palabas. ‘Yun lang naman po ang akin. Sila ay may pangarap din,” he acknowledged.
He also expressed his gratitude to his fellow grand finalists who supported him throughout the competition.
“Para sa kanila, gusto nilang ako ang manalo. Silang lahat na contestant dito, maraming salamat sa kanila,” Cardo expressed.
Meanwhile, Cardo, who lives in Cavite but was born and raised in General Santos, Mindanao, revealed when his love for the classic Filipino game began.
“Laro ko lang ‘to kasi sanay akong mag-isa sa bahay. Kasi ang nanay at tatay ko, naghiwalay. Nanay ko lang nagtaguyod sa amin hanggang sa pumanaw na. Tinandaan ko ang kanyang bilin. Kaya ‘yung trumpo kapag ako'y namumroblema, ito lang, dala-dala ko. ‘Yun lang ang nagpapagaan ng aking kalooban,” he revealed.
As he grew up and became a family man, Cardo shared that he never lost his love for the spinning top.
“Kahit nung ako’y nagkaroon ng pamilya, nagulat din ang maybahay ko bakit may trumpo ko. Hindi ko lang kasi may sabi sa kanya kung bakit. Kasi baka pagtawanan ako. Kasi sa edad ko bakit kailangan pang ganito. Pero hindi. Masaya ko. Naalala ko po noong kabataan ko. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘di bale na. Hindi ko na lang sasabing kung bakit.”
He added how his wife fully supported him from the start.
“Noong lumaban ako sa mga barangay, doon siya umalalay. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa aking maybahay kasi ginabayan niya rin ako kung ano bang dapat namin gawin. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi hindi ko akalain na gusto niya rin ito. Unang laban ko sa barangay sa amin, title agad. Doon ko nabuo na talent na pala siguro ko,” he shared.
From smaller competitions, he went on to wow the nation with his incredible tricks, especially his grand finale featuring a huge spinning top — something he revealed has always been his signature ending.
“Sa barangayan kasi sanay ako sa ganyan. Laging ‘yun ‘yung aking panghuli. Pero wala kasi talagang effects ‘yun. Pero dahil sa malaki, ako lang gumagawa nun. Kaya ako nagawa ‘yun. Dinala ko dito sa PGT para lang sa magiging huli sa kwento ko bilang isang trumpo (master),” he said.
Despite admitting he felt pressured during the finals, Cardo shared how the support of his family and the public motivated him to keep going.
“Iba ang pressure pag nandito. Sa barangayan, hindi ko talaga ‘yan nararamdaman na sa barangay, normal lang. Pero dito, iba ang pressure. Kaya ‘yung mga trumpo ko, parang nakikita ko na sumasayaw. Sabi ko, ito na ‘yun. Kaya nakakita ko na hindi ko inaasahan. Doon ako naglakas loob. Lalo na ‘yung mga taong nagtiwala sa akin. Sobra ang tiwala nila sa akin. Kaya doon ako kumuha ng enerhiya. Salamat sa kanila at sa inyo,” Cardo expressed.