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.


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