Five-time International Soca Monarch SuperBlue will perform in position number ten in the semi-final of the 2013 edition of the competition on Sunday at the Arima Velodrome.

Although he was away from the Soca Monarch stage for more than a decade, SuperBlue believes his chances for a place in the finals are good.

Speaking with the media after the drawing for positions, SuperBlue shared his thoughts on soca and where it stands today.

"I think it is beautiful, I see some artistes and how they perform and how they have applied technology to their performance. I see that we are getting there," he said.

SuperBlue's son-in-law, four-time Power Soca Monarch Bunji Garlin, will compete at number 15 in the Groovy category while his wife, Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez , will perform in position 20 in the Power category.

The couple have opted to compete in one category each, while their friend Iwer George will be performing in both, performing in the first position in the Power category and at number 24 in the Groovy category.

The semi-finalists drew for positions yesterday at the IMAX Theatre, One Woodbrook Place, Port of Spain. While some semi-finalists were happy with their position, others had to settle for their second and third choices. Denise Belfon was thrilled to perform in position number five, a number she said was chosen by her daughter. Sean Daniel was the last person to draw the only number left remaining, number one, the position he will sing in the Groovy category.

Public relations consultant at the Caribbean Prestige Foundation Wendy Fitzwilliam announced the cache of prizes for the International Power Soca Monarch, Groovy Soca Monarch and Schools Soca Monarch competitions — will total about $8 million. Fitzwilliam noted that this year the level of competition is very high and she was glad she would not be one of the judges who will have the difficult task of selecting who goes through to the finals.

One of the youngest to ever compete, Timel Rivas, also known as "Boy Boy", will perform in position number three in the Power category. Though a newcomer in the senior competition, Rivas is no stranger to the Soca Monarch stage, having performed at the National Schools Soca Monarch and National Junior Calypso Monarch competitions.

Sharing his thoughts on going into the competition, Rivas said, "I feel great that I got into the semi-finals. It gives me a better opportunity to show people how I perform and the great talent that I have."

"I feel normal because I am getting a chance to compete with the elders and they have create in me a better idea when I go out to perform — as well as have provided a platform to show my talent," Rivas added.

All competitors heading into the semi-final round on Sunday were scored in the preliminary round. The person/s who scored the highest out of the preliminary were allowed the opportunity to choose their spot.

The theme of Soca Monarch this year is "The People's Event". The person who submits the most text votes will win a cash prize of $10,000, while the artiste with the most votes will receive a cash prize of $25,000.

This is the order in which contestants will perform in on Sunday:

In each competition, 30 competitors will try to secure their places in the finals on Fantastic Friday.

International Power Soca Monarch 1. Iwer George 2. Tallpree 3. Timel Rivas 4. Prophet Benjamin 5. Shurwayne Winchester 6. MX Prime (formerly Maximus Dan) 7. Fya Empress 8. Nadia Batson 9. Skinny Fabulous 10. SuperBlue 11. Lil Rick 12. Peter Levels 13. Trevor Gore 14. Anslem Douglas 15. Swappi 16. Megan Walrond 17. JW & Blaze 18. Mikee 19. Lil Bitts 20. Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez 21. Olatunji Yearwood 22. Devon Matthews 23. Chris Garcia 24. Benjai 25. I-Stan Scott 26. Destra Garcia 27. Squeezy Rankin 28. Blaxx 29. Erphaan Alves 30. Ronald Wickham International Groovy Soca Monarch 1. Sean Daniel 2. Santeney Rampersad 3. Ravi B 4. Michelle Xavier 5. Denise Belfon 6. Nesta Boxill 7. Farmer Nappy 8. Patrice Roberts 9. K. Rich 10. El Jay 11. Sheldon Bullen 12. Kerwin Du Bois 13. Chucky Gordon 14. Mr Renzo Music 15. Bunji Garlin 16. J Angel 17. 5 Star Akil 18. Drupatee 19. Shurwayne Winchester 20. Nadia Batson 21. Supa Jigga TC 22. Destra Garcia 23. Shal Marshall 24. Iwer George 25. Blaxx 26. Denyse Plummer 27. Benjai 28. Lyrikal 29. Yankey Boy 30. Charli Griffith