MANILA - A 30-year-old choir singer is moving to the semifinals of "Tawag ng Tanghalan" after earning his fifth straight win in the singing contest with his rendition of Gary Valenciano's hit ballad "Narito."

Baclaran-born Rufino Robles Jr. got an average score of 95.2 percent, beating daily winner Alvin Pitero by a clear nine points. Pitero sang Regine Velasquez's "You Are My Song."

Robles is the first to make it to the third semifinals of "Tawag ng Tanghalan." He will return to the "It's Showtime" stage on Friday in a bid to notch up his sixth win.