While most 13-year-olds are blowing out candles at home, one young Papua New Guinean is stepping onto an international stage.
Nathaniel Aposol Kandakasi, a Year 7 student at Paradise College, celebrated his 13th birthday this weekend route to Germany, where he will represent PNG in the 2025 International Festival of Language and Culture (IFLC) Grand Final.
Nathaniel is one of two students selected nationwide, alongside Ristarlis Basse Heni of Ward Strip Primary, to fly the PNG flag at the global event that brings together talented young performers from across the world.
Born into a family of five children, Nathaniel is the second-born to parents from Laiagam in Enga Province and Koroba in Hela Province.
His love for music began early. According to his parents, they first noticed his talent when he was just four years old.
He would sing along to popular songs and mimic artists with surprising accuracy for his age. As he grew, so did his creative gifts, he also developed a unique style of drawing and caricature, a talent that continues to evolve alongside his music.
Since joining Paradise College in 2022, Nathaniel has thrived in an environment that encourages the arts.
From songwriting and choir practices to inter-school competitions, he has continued to polish his raw talent. His teachers and classmates often describe him as humble, focused, and driven.
His path to the IFLC stage began with school-level competitions before advancing to the national round.
Standing out for his distinct voice, discipline, and stage presence, Nathaniel earned his place among the top two young singers representing PNG at the festival in Germany.
鈥淗e鈥檚 worked incredibly hard to get here,鈥 said his vocal coach and mentor, Mr. Arnel, who is travelling with Nathaniel to support him throughout the competition. 鈥淗e鈥檚 got something special, not just a voice, but a deep passion for performance.鈥
In preparation for the event, Nathaniel has undergone vocal training, stage performance drills, and sessions on international etiquette. His family and school have played a central role in keeping him focused and grounded.
鈥淲e鈥檙e proud and emotional at the same time,鈥 said his father. 鈥淔or him to carry the flag of PNG on such a platform is something we never imagined, but always hoped for. He鈥檚 done this with heart and hard work.鈥
And Nathaniel鈥檚 journey doesn鈥檛 stop there. His talents in both writing and music have also secured him a spot at the prestigious Genius Olympiad in the United States next year, where he will represent PNG once again, this time on an academic and creative arts stage.
Despite the growing spotlight, Nathaniel remains modest. Through his growing fan base on social media, especially on Facebook and TikTok, he regularly shares performance videos and covers that have won hearts far beyond his school gates.
One of his most watched performances, a declamation of 鈥淭he Orphan,鈥 attracted 2.7 million views on Facebook earlier this year.
In addition to his IFLC participation, some highlights of Nathaniel鈥檚 journey so far include:
Gold Medalist 鈥 2024 Speech Declamation, with viral performance of 鈥淭he Orphan鈥
Filipino Cultural Day 2025 鈥 Sang 鈥淚n Case You Didn鈥檛 Know鈥 by City Sivarai
Social Media Sensation 鈥 Gained strong following on Facebook and TikTok
Multi-award winner 鈥 Recognised in school music, speech, and art competitions
At just 13, Nathaniel has already become a powerful voice for young people across the country. His parents say they hope his journey inspires others in PNG to pursue their dreams, no matter where they come from.
鈥淥ur hope is that Nathaniel continues to grow, not just in talent, but in character,鈥 his father added. 鈥淲hether he wins or not, this experience will shape him. And we know he will use his voice to inspire other young Papua New Guineans.鈥
Nathaniel鈥檚 story is one of potential, purpose, and quiet determination. As he prepares to perform in Germany and later compete in the U.S., he carries not only his music but also the spirit of a nation that believes in him.
The Kandakasi family invites the public to follow Nathaniel鈥檚 journey online, share messages of encouragement, and keep both Nathaniel and Ristarlis in their thoughts and prayers as they represent PNG on the world stage.