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REYMOND is OUT

Our ten finalists reaped a lot of good reviews from our judges on Saturday’s performance night. For tonight’s results show, they give us a reprise of their “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika” production number. Ryan Agoncillo acknowledges Mel Villena and the Idol Band for their wonderful accompaniment to the finalists as well as the special participation of the San Miguel Philharmonic orchestra.

After refreshing the judges’ comments on their performances of the previous evening, Ryan asks those seated on the front row, namely, Pow, Jan, Miguel, Apple and Ken how they felt about their own performances. Most of them gave a reluctant “OK” reply, obviously nervous about the night’s voting verdict. Well, they needn’t have worried because their fans and supporters came through for them and they were all safe from being voted out this weekend.

Those in the back row, Arms, Jeli, Mau, Gian and Reymond were up next to be grilled. Ryan A. gave each one of them a rundown of how they did yesterday. Arms got both positive and negative comments. Her efforts at celebrating fiesta Pilar with her fellow Zamboanguenos paid off because Ryan said she was safe from being voted out. Jeli was next and she too was safe. Mau, Gian and Reymond are the bottom 3.

Ryan asked how the three of them felt and Mau said that she has grown used to this situation and gave a sad smile. The smile turned to genuine relief when Ryan declared that she was safe and should go and take her seat.

It was Gian and reymond left on centerstage. The judges were shocked. Particularly Mr. C who declared that he was shocked with a long “o.” He added that next week he was really going to be tough. So far he and his fellow judges were being the typical Filipino by giving their comments politely and he said that the voters were obviously not listening to their comments. If every week the best performers keep on getting voted off then were they just going to be left with singing nursery ryhmes? Mr. C was obviously getting frustrated with the results and we don’t envy his position at the moment. Mamita was more understanding and reiterated that each and every one of them were stars in their own right but since the competition began the contestants have become part of their family and it is always a painful exercise for them to say goodbye. Mamita added that Gian and Reymond’s journey to become stars will continue even after their Philippine Idol experience. Guest judge Hajji has only been with the contestants for the past week. He revealed that from Saturday’s performance his top 4 included Gian and Reymond who are now on the bottom 2. But he told both guys that they can hold their head up high that they made it up to the top 10 of the competition.

Giving the night’s verdict, Ryan says that Gian is safe and Reymond is out. The girls in the background are crying but Reymond is a good sport and accepts the verdict with a sad smile. We recall the highlights of Reymond’s performance as he bids his dream of becoming the first Philippine Idol farewell. He thanks the Lord, his family and his supporters for being with him every step of the way and assured them that this was not the end of his journey. Reymond sings “Be My Lady” on centerstage and the spotlight is on him for one last time.

STEF AND DRAE OUT!

Philippine Idol fans were busy over the weekend calling in and texting in their votes for their favorite Philippine Idol contestant. They had to make sure that they sent in enough votes to keep their idol in the running. Last week’s votes are also going to be tallied in tonight’s counting. For tonight’s results show, the bottom 2 will have to say goodbye and end their idol journey.

After a recap of Saturday night’s R n B themed performances host Ryan Agoncillo clarified there was actually no bottom 3 the previous week because of the technical difficulties experienced by everyone in the wake of the Milenyo Storm. This week, however, there is really going to be a bottom 4 and from that the 2 who will give their last performances on the idol centerstage.

Gian Magdangal was the first to be called out. On OPM night, Mamita said that he could be following the footsteps of Gary V. But yesterday night, after singing an engaging performance of James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” Mr. C told him that this was his worst performance in the competition. Gian is the first of four who is in the bottom 4.

Next to be called out was Jan Nieto. Jan has shown a big improvement with his performances and this was well appreciated by the voters because he garnered enough votes to be part of the top 10.

On OPM night the judges said that he had the vocal technique. Reymond Sajor still has the chance to show more of his singing talent as he also got enough votes to be in the remaining 10.
Lounge singer Jeli Mateo redeemed herself on OPM night but had another off performance with Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” this Saturday. Despite this, Jelimisers came through for their Jeli Idol and gave her enough votes stay in the competition.

Stef Lazaro and Arms Cruz were then called by Ryan Agoncillo. Both gave solid performances during the past two weeks but only Arms was safe and Stef joined Gian in the hotspot.

At this stage of the competition our three mainstay judges, Kiko, Mamita and Mr.C can only offer guidance and their comments on the performances of each contestant. Whether a contestant moves on in the competition is up to the voting idol fans. And according to the voters Gian still has another chance next week and Stef is in the bottom 2. Stef’s idol journey ends tonight but she will continue her singing and says that she will miss performing with her idol family. Her being part of the top 12 is already a major achievement for her and she sings “Proud Mary” for the second time on the Philippine Idol centerstage.

Always displaying a show must go on attitude is Ken Dingle who despite being sick for the past few weeks managed to perform on Philippine Idol. His efforts have paid off because he isn’t part of the bottom 4.

Saturday night, this favorite proved she’s got what it takes when no less than Mr. C reaffirmed that she is a serious contender for the title of Philippine Idol. Apple Chiu also had the voters convinced.

Like a fish in water, is how one judge described Mau Marcelo’s rendition of Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” on R n B Saturday performance night. She was in her element and the idol voters thought so too.

Drae Ybanez is always in a happy mood and he’s been receiving good reviews from the judges the past few weeks. Despite this, however, Drae was in the bottom 4 tonight.

At the young age of 17, Miguel showed a lot of energy during his performances but he’s been plagued by wrong song choices from the very beginning. But the Miguelista league came through for this teener as he still has a chance to realize his singing potentials next week.

Tagged as a modern Kundiman singer because of how her emotions come through in her singing, Pow Chavez has consistently delivered in her performances during the past few weeks. But she joins Drae in the bottom 4.

Ryan Agoncillo signals a break and we await his return for the dreaded announcement on who is going to stay and who will have to go.

The second of the bottom 2 is Drae and he says that Philippine Idol has made him a better person. He believes that he was born to sing and beyond the competition, he will continue celebrating the music in whatever avenue this brings him.

So our first finals elimination results night come to a close with Stef Lazaro and Drae Ybañez having to say goodbye to their dream of becoming the first Philippine Idol. Continuing the Idol Journey are the remaining top 10: Pow Chavez, Miguel Mendoza, Mau Marcelo, Apple Chiu, Ken Dingle, Gian Magdangal, Arms Cruz, Jeli Mateo, Jan Nieto and Reymond Sajor.


www.philippineidol.com

Wildcard Results

Everyone was in a party mood at the Philippine IDOL Theater in SM Megamall. The ten wildcard performers gave a lively opening number and passing on party hats to each other.

Between Onyx, Joseph and Ken the idol voters chose to vote for the guy from Baguio. Surprisingly, Ken had a dismal performance the previous night in the eyes of the judges. This was more than likely caused by his being gravely under the weather. His ‘show must go on’ attitude must have touched the hearts of the voters despite the stellar performances of Onyx’ “Wildflower” and Joseph’s grinding “Maria Maria” of Santana.

Stef’s emotional performance of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was the Stef that Mamita was looking for and this connected well with the audience as they chose her over the classy performance of Ira Marasigan. Stef moves on to the finals while Ira moves on to different things to pursue her love for singing.
Ramirr and Gian have become close buddies these past few weeks as they share the same temperaments and are both the shy and quiet type. Even their experiences in their love life have similarities. But only one can go on to the finals and this time the chance goes to Gian.

Suey and Mau were up next. It was obvious that Mau was feeling the heat and her disappointment was apparent. She did not realize how different Philippine Idol is from other singing competitions where the voters’ decision was what made one a winner. She did not doubt her own talent at singing but what was making it hard for her was the thought that being a good singer was not enough. We all know of her bitter experiences when she was younger about her dark looks but she has grown used to that and is confident about herself. In fact, her motto is “black is beautiful.” So she was just preparing herself for the worst when it was only her and Suey left onstage and she commented that Philippine Idol is a singing competition and not a beauty contest. Suey ended up comforting a teary Mau who really had no cause for disappointment because it was she who was moving on to the finals and not Suey. Only goes to show that Philippine Idol is not predictable and one should always expect the unexpected.

Next week, Philippine Idol goes back to some memorable moments during the first round of auditions. Remember Jeffrey Santos and our green haired Anime girl? Idol fans get to see the highlights of these one of a kind performances once again.

Saturday wildcard live performance

It’s make or break for the ten wildcard performers who get another chance at getting into the Idol finals. They’ve been rehearsing the whole week and are out to show that they have what it takes to be the first Philippine IDOL.

Aussie girl Stef Lazaro started the night on a high note with her top caliber performance of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” which was readily acknowledged by the judges Francis M, Pilita and Ryan Cayabyab. Kiko though, thought that her delivery was too emotional while Mamita suggested that she lose some weight should she get on further into the competition.

Gian Magdanagal, an early favorite to get into the finals, delivered a performance that went beyond what was expected of him when he sang his version of Stevie Wonder’s “Lately.” Kiko said that Gian was born to be a performer and Mamita added that aside from his being a great singer and dancer, Gian also had enough good looks to make a good Philippine Idol. Mr. C meanwhile said that Gian’s performance was the best overall male performance in the competition so far and that he should be in the finals.

Completely “made over” in a sexy red dress, Davaoeña med rep Ting Otero sang “Sana'y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan.” But for all her charm and talent, our lady in red did not quite connect with the judges. She was ready for any comment that would come her way when she said to Ryan Agoncillo, “fire away.” Kiko could not exactly place the reason why but he felt that there was something missing in Ting’s performance. Mamita clarified her position on her being misquoted as saying that there was no talent to be found in Davao and gave an OK for Ting’s performance. Mr. C was able to nail down the missing link when he said that the song should have been delivered with more lyricism and that Ting sang it in too choppy a manner. We wonder if its because Ting has not had that sort of experience in her personal life that she wasn’t able to extract that emotion from the song. The maestro added that there should have been more longing and caress in her voice when she sang the song. Ting gracefully accepted the judges critiques but is still optimistic that her kababayans from the south will pull through and vote for her.

Most improved on the night’s performance was Onyx Culala who has slowly overcome his shyness. The judges very much appreciated his version of “Wildflower” but Mr. C was worried that despite Onyx’ blooming performance it might be too late in the competition. Onyx is just thankful that his efforts are being appreciated and is still hopeful that it is not too late and that idol fans will give him enough votes.

Classy girl Ira Marasigan gave a tearful plea during her vtr before singing that night. The judges appreciated her sexy moves and MR. C added that there’s nothing wrong with being well educated and intelligent and it was something to flaunt. In fact, he said that the Philippine music industry needed more of her type but the other side to this polished look is that the warmth is lost because she is so well studied. She needs to put in more spontaneity in her performance and Mr. C wished that she would be in the top 12. Our idol voters will be the judge of that come results show this Sunday night.

Joseph Astor has risen above the hardships of poverty to reach the semi-finals of Philippine IDOL. He is prepared to do whatever he can to reach his dream of stardom and success. He may seem as if he were a politician on a campaign trail but that only goes to show how earnest this Pampangeno is in achieving his goal. Joseph wants to be known for his own talents and not just be labeled as a Piolo/Sam Milby look a like who sounds like Gary V. During the past week’s rehearsals, Mel Villena, said that Joseph was the only one among the wildcard boys who could pull off a Santana song and Joseph did a very good rendition Saturday night. Joseph’s macho dancing moves was not lost on Mamita and Mr. C said, “mahirap talaga magtrabaho...” referring to Joseph’s grinding dance moves, “...keep it up,” Mr. C added.

Dedication to his craft cannot be denied of Ken Dingle who had to be rushed to the hospital sometime during the week because of his high fever. But tonight Ken was in high spirits. He is just thankful at this second chance to serenade us all. In his vtr we learn that he is the only from his family here in Manila and that he quit his job in Australia to join Philipine Idol. Singing “House is not a Home,” had a very personal meaning for Ken who but despite his efforts, the judges expected more from him. Maybe fellow Baguio boy Ramirr would fare better with them.
Missing for a brief time during rehearsals because he made a visit to his fiancee Faye up north, Ramirr Grepo performed Saturday night determined to prove that he still wanted the idol plum just like any of the other contestants. He chose to stick to what he was good at and gave a smashing performance of the “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing.” But the judges also expected more from this Baguio lad, something “new.” Ramirr should have gone out of his comfort zone of singing rock ballads and showed he can also do well outside of his rocker mold. If he gets into the finals, then he will definitely do just that.

Marawi girl Suey Medina proved that she was more than just a band vocalist with her engaging performance of “Best of My Love" which she dedicated to her late mom. Though Mr. C said that so many others have sang her song Suey got away with it because she was charming and had good projection. Last but not the least to perform that night was Mau Marcelo who sang an exceptional rendition of Ella May Saison’s “Till My Heartaches End.” Like Suey, Mau is singing this for her mom. Mau again came dressed to the nines with a diva black gowny number which suits her. Kiko says that he will be calling Sony BMG to give this gal an album. Mamita is happy about Mau’s elegant transformation. All Mr. C could add was that her performance was “world class.”

Its now the idols fans turn to make things happen for these ten wildcard performers. Will the voters listen to the judges? Or will they go with their personal picks? We can’t wait to find out tonight on Sunday’s results show!