'This is my life': Nino Hernandez sings anthem at Roughriders game
Hernandez immigrated from the Philippines to Porcupine Plain, Sask., several years ago
Most Saskatchewan football fans remember their first Roughrider game, but Nino Hernandez will surely never forget his first visit to Mosaic Stadium.
Hernandez immigrated from the Philippines to Porcupine Plain, Sask., several years ago. While he left his home country for Saskatchewan, Hernandez brought his love of singing with him.
He quickly became the national anthem singer for the local hockey rink, and on Sunday, he got his big break.
Before the Roughriders and Argonauts hit the turf, Hernandez stood in the middle of the field in front of 31,000 fans to sing the national anthem.
"Oh, it was overwhelming," he said. "I was really, really nervous but I made it."
Hernandez was one of the finalists in the Rider's Anthem Contest.
"This is my passion, this is my life — music."
Hernandez said being selected in the contest wasn't something he celebrated alone.
"I went home right away and I told my wife that I won," he said. "I told the whole town of Porcupine through my Facebook account that I made it. This is not only for me. This is for my family. This is for Porcupine Plain."
Hernandez also recorded an album in May.