PHILIPPINE IDOL

2010-01-19T00:15:00.000+08:00

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REYMOND is OUT

2006-10-20T18:31:00.000+08:00

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!

2006-10-09T11:46:00.000+08:00

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

2006-09-23T21:19:00.000+08:00

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

2006-09-23T21:13:00.000+08:00

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!

THE FINAL 12

2006-09-20T11:27:00.000+08:00

Armarie Cruz

28 yrs old

Zamboanga City

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Cherry Ann Chiu

22 yrs old

Cavite

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Jellica Mateo

23 yrs old

Pasig City

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Pow Chavez

23 yrs old

Quezon City

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Steph Lazaro

27 yrs old

Australia/Pasig

Current Rank: Wildcard winner

Maureen Marcelo

26 yrs old

Lucena City

Current Rank: Wildcard winner

Drae Ybañez

26 yrs old

Cainta

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Miguel Mendoza

16 yrs old

Muntinlupa

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Reymond Sajor

27 yrs old

Lucena City

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Jan Kurt Nieto

25 yrs old

Manila

Current Rank: Top 4 finalist

Kenneth Dingle

23 yrs old

Baguio City

Current Rank: Wildcard winner

Gian Magdangal

24 yrs old

Manila

Current Rank: Wildcard winner

‘Idol’ judges exceed talent quota in Cebu

2006-07-27T17:33:00.000+08:00

By Marinel Cruz
Inquirer

CEBU CITY—“OUR EXPECTATIONS were met, although I know there are so many good singers here who didn’t audition. They are afraid to risk their jobs,” declared “Philippine Idol” judge Pilita Corrales on the turnout of the major auditions here for the reality talent search on ABC 5.

The two-day tryouts held at the state-of-the-art Big Foot Entertainment compound yielded 36 contestants. A total of 89 had made it to the initial screening held on July 4.

“You will see these people in bars, clubs and hotel lounges here,” said Corrales, who shares judging chores task with composer Ryan Cayabyab and singer-TV host Francis Magalona. “They are afraid to leave their bands or jobs because they are unsure of their chances in the contest. I’m proud of those who made it here.”

More positive
Only 25 contestants each from the Visayas and Mindanao regions were supposed to get the coveted Golden Tickets. But since only 17 were picked from the major auditions in Davao last month, the judges were allowed to give out 33 here.

“We’ve exceeded our quota again,” Cayabyab told Inquirer Entertainment. “I feel more positive about Cebu [than Davao]. Maraming magagaling.”

Cayabyab and Corrales were very vocal about their disappointment over the low Davao turnout—only 17 were picked out of 75 who auditioned.

“I’m truly excited about the second level auditions in Manila,” said Cayabyab. “’Yun ang bakbakan (That will be the real slugfest).”

The 36 contestants will compete in the theater auditions set Aug. 1-3 at the CCP Main Theater in Pasay City.

Cayabyab said the judges found a lot of “really remarkable” contestants here but the question is whether or not they can compete with the others on the next level.”

Cayabyab cited contestant Kenneth Paul Alonzo, 21, who “looked and sounded very female” during the auditions. “He has a good singing voice. We were drawn to him. If he wins, the Philippines will be the first in the world to have an ‘Idol’ like that.”

Too good …
Magalona singled out Monette Rica Lim, a radiology technician, whom he found to be “too good to be true.” “She has the face, the height, nice hair, a good smile and a great voice,” said Magalona. “I was dumbfounded when I heard her. Mamita (Corrales’ nickname) jokingly said she didn’t want to pick a contestant prettier than [herself].”

According to “Idol” host Ryan Agoncillo, male contestants who failed the auditions have taken the rejection far worse than the females did.

“One guy didn’t want to speak at all,” Ryan noted. “He just stood by the door. I didn’t know whether he was ashamed to face the camera or he was praying to disappear. I left him alone. You just have to respect that. The girls were more composed.”

Weird moments
As expected, there were weird moments, too. One contestant sauntered in doing her do-re-mi; another mimicking drumbeats.

One guy said he was there because his friends said he could sing. Cayabyab told him his friends had lied.

PRIMETIME BLITZ

2006-07-27T16:25:00.000+08:00

The wait is over! The "Philippine Idol" will start airing this July 30, Sunday, at 8 P.M. The "Philippine Idol" judges exceeded their talent quota of 100, giving 126 hopeful contestants the chance to outshine the rest on its second level of audition.

'Idol' producers made RP their last stop, says Pilita

2006-06-19T09:19:00.000+08:00

Pilita Corrales says the producers of "Pop Idol" made the Philippines their "last stop" because "they knew they were going to have a difficult time here."

Pilita is one of the judges of the country's version of the reality talent search that originated in England in 2001 (and whose most popular version is the wildly popular "American Idol"). The two other judges are master composer Ryan Cayabyab and singer-TV host Francis Magalona.

"That's what the judges are experiencing now. It's really tough to say no to so many talented youths," Pilita told Inquirer Entertainment. "In 'Philippine Idol', we're not looking for just any singer -- there are other contests for that. What we're looking for is a singer with plus and plus."

The first phase of the auditions that began on June 8 at the PICC in Pasay City yielded 240 contestants from Luzon.

SCREENINGS

Another 25 are expected to be picked from the Mindanao auditions on June 23 at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao City. Still another 25 will come from the Visayas region via the auditions in Cebu City on July 4.

ABC 5 acquired the "Idol" franchise from the UK-based Freemantle Media. The "Idol" franchise is now in 35 countries.

"Freemantle has had Indonesian, Singaporean and Malaysian Idol shows, but their expectations with the show here is really high. They know how much talent we have here," explained Pilita.

The most difficult part of being a judge, she said, was being firm before applicants who beg, cry and drop to their knees when rejected.

"If we could only say yes to everybody," she sighed. "But the applicants are told, 'You have only one chance [to sing].Make sure it's the right song.' I know it's nerve-wracking for them. But usually, after hearing the first four or five lines of the song, we already know whether the applicant will make the grade or not."

According to ABC 5 Creative and Entertainment Production head Perci Intalan, the three judges will eventually whittle down to 100 the number of contestants. Of these only 24 -- 12 girls and 12 boys -- will then be chosen as semi-finalists during the theater elimination at the CCP Main Theater in August.

REGISTRATION DESK

Intalan said a special registration desk will be put up in SM Davao for fast-track screenings. He added that his team is currently discussing with Big Foot Entertainment, a Hollywood production company based in Cebu, the possible use of a portion of the 8,200-sq. m. facility for the auditions there.

"I guess it's also because this is the search for the first 'Philippine Idol' that so many want to join," Pilita said. "Even the professional singers and recording artists have turned up; they're not embarrassed. But not much has come out of this, so far. We don't even have a final date for the start of the show."

by Marinel R. Cruz
Philippine Daily Inquirer

DAVAO: 'Philippine Idol' auditions next stop

2006-06-19T09:16:00.000+08:00

Philippine Idol took eight days to audition the thousands who came from all over Luzon. As the Luzon main auditions ended, 116 talented contestants were given the much-coveted "Golden Ticket" to go to the next round -- the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) theater eliminations.

But before it goes to the CCP theater elimination, Philippine Idol will still have to go to Cebu and Davao for the Visayas and Mindanao main auditions.

Philippine Idol Fast Tracks in Mindanao, organized by ABC radio partner for VisMin Radio Mindanao Network (RMN), is already in full swing.

The first two legs were held in SM Zamboanga last June 3 and in SM Cagayan de Oro last June 10.

The final Fast Tracks before the main auditions were held last June 17 at SM Davao.

"We're very proud and excited to be the official partner for the first Philippine Idol and we're giving our all-out support," said Vince Jaen, network operations director for iFM.

"We're one in this search. We really want to be part of this project," he added.

The main auditions for the Mindanao will start on June 23 at 7 AM and will be held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in Davao.

There will also be a special registration on the same day at 10 AM in SM Davao for those who are near the vicinity.

Fast Tracks for Visayas was held last June 17 in RTR Plaza, Tacloban, SM Iloilo last June 18, and in SM Cebu on June 24.

The main auditions for Cebu will be on July 4 (venue to be announced later).

Philippine Idol will air this July on ABC-5.

source People's Journal Tonight

First Audition Day - June 8, 2006

2006-06-14T01:00:00.000+08:00

According to Mr. Ryan Cayabyab, judging the Philippine Idol is a tough job. He says their first day with the aspirants was filled with pleadings and weepings. The second was marked by "intense reactions" that gave him a sleepless night.

Latests Scoops:
Some of the scenes at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City during the judging for the first season of the reality talent search on ABC 5.

The mother of an aspirant was rushed to the hospital when her daughter failed the audition.

Two contestants had fever on Thursday, so they were instructed by judges Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corales and Francis Magalona to come back the next day. Both were sent through to the next round.

A grandson of comedy king Dolphy, a former Star Records artist, and two finalists on "Star in a Million" - a talent search on Channel 2 - all brought home highly coveted Golden Tickets on Frifay.

60 Golden Tickets were handled out fro Luzon, which exceeded the alloted 50 slots.
25 to Visayas and 25 to Mindanao.

Bearers of Golden Tickets will take part in the elimination round on Aug 1 at the CCP Main Theater, where 24 finalists willbe picked, said the program producer Emily Carlos Roque.

On June 7, 40 contestants from Luzon were chosen during the fast-track eliminations at the Star Theater in Pasay City. The fast-track audition judges are Eugene Villaluz and Roselle Nava. Luzon fast-track screenings were organized by Manila Broadcasting Corp., media partner of ABC 5. For Visayas and Mindanao, screenings will be facilitated by Radio Mindanao Network.

Hundreds turn out for 1st ‘Idol’ tryout

2006-06-14T00:56:00.000+08:00

THOUSANDS TURNED OUT ON SATURDAY AT THE first major “Philippine Idol” auditions at the PICC in Pasay City, but only 80 went home with the highly coveted Blue Form.

“Blue means you’re in,” said ABC 5 executive Jim Libiran, half of an all-important duo in charge of the casting for the first season of the reality talent search on ABC 5. Carmela M. Buhain, supervising professor in music at the Philippine Normal University, helped Libiran pick the 80.

Only a total of 100 Blue Forms are supposed to be given out. But major auditions in Mindanao (Davao City) and the Visayas (Cebu City) are yet to be held on June 23 and July 4, respectively. The organizers said they will decide later whether or not to increase the quota.

On Saturday, contestants began lining up at the PICC Gate 2 at 6 a.m. They were asked to fill up application forms and were each given a number.

Read more at INQ7.NET

Philippine Idol judges panel complete

2006-06-14T00:45:00.000+08:00

JUDGES: Francis Magalona, Pilita Corales, Ryan Cayabyab

In addition to Cayabyab, the other two judges for Philippine Idol are Asia’s Queen of Song Pilita Corrales and rapper/producer Francis Magalona, more popular known as Francis M.

The names of all three Philippine Idol judges - Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales, and Francis M - were announced by Perci Intalan, ABC-5’s head of Creative and Entertainment Production. The Fremantle Media and 19 Entertainment-owned American Idol franchise, of which Philippine Idol is a part, calls for three Philippine Idol judges. While Cayabyab was a hand-picked Philippine Idol judge from the beginning, both Francis Magalona and Pilita Corrales submitted to Philippine Idol judge auditions and screen tests, and it was only after UK-based Fremantle Media reviewed the Philippine Idol audition tapes of both Corrales and Magalona that a go-signal was given for all three Philippine Idol judge candidates came together in workshops that allowed them to interact with each other to gauge their chemistry.

Intalan said that Cayabyab, Corrales, and Magalona’s “Filipino”-ness, their passion for music, and their genuine concern for the contestants played major roles in their selection as Philippine Idol judges. ABC-5 made it clear that the selection of Philippine Idol judges was not to look for clones of American Idol judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell.

Philippine Idol VS PBB

2006-06-14T00:39:00.001+08:00

EVEN the most uninterested viewers caught the implication: the next incarnation of ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” dubbed “Pinoy Dream Academy,” is going head to head against ABC 5’s “Philippine Idol.”
“Dream Academy” premieres in August; “RP Idol” in July.

Both are reality singing contests in which unknowns are housed together and undergo training and/or a makeover in front of the camera.

Both are foreign franchises. “Academy” is from the same Dutch company behind “PBB”; “RP Idol” is from FremantleMedia, based in the United Kingdom.

According to “PBB” director Lauren Dyogi, Endemol’s show is called “Fame Academy” in the UK; “Star Academy” in France; “La Academia” in Italy and Spain.

“The housemates will be called students and they’ll still live in the same house [on Mother Ignacia Avenue, Quezon City], but we’ll modify it to include workshop and rehearsal areas, a recording studio, principal’s office and teachers’ lounge,” Dyogi told Inquirer in a phone interview.

He added that “Dream Academy” will be aired nightly. “If ‘Philippine Idol’ is anything like ‘American Idol’ it will air only twice a week.”Perci Intalan, ABC 5’s head of Creative and Entertainment Production, corrected Dyogi: “‘Philippine Idol’ is also a nightly, prime time show.

Philippine Idol soon on ABC 5

2006-06-14T00:03:00.000+08:00

Who will be the first PHILIPPINE IDOL ?

IT'S CONFIRMED.

ABC 5 has acquired the franchise for the world-famous talent search "American Idol" (AI) from the show's producer, FremantleMedia.

"It will be called 'Philippine Idol,' " said Perci Intalan, ABC's vice president for Creative and Entertainment Production. He called Inquirer Entertainment from Singapore, where he was meeting with Fremantle Asia execs over the weekend.

The local Idol will be the fifth in Asia, he said. "The others are in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and India. There are over 50 'Idol' productions all over the world." AI was inspired by "Pop Idol," which originated in the United Kingdom in 2001.

ABC 5 is eyeing a July launch.

Terra Daffon, senior vice president for Corporate Affairs, said ABC 5 started negotiating with FremantleMedia two years ago, when Filipino-American Jasmine Trias placed third in AI.

The Sole Host of Philippine Idol

2006-06-13T23:39:00.000+08:00

APART FROM judge Ryan Cayabyab, there’s another Ryan on “Philippine Idol.”“Call me Ryan Seacreature,” joked Ryan Agoncillo, alluding to “American Idol” host and namesake Ryan Seacrest.

Evidently, humor clinched the deal for the TV star who won the first of two slots as hosts of “Philippine Idol,” which premieres on ABC 5 in July.

“Or Ryan Secret,” jested Agoncillo, referring to the shroud of secrecy that enveloped his latest career triumph. After all, it was no mean feat, besting dozens of hopefuls who auditioned for the coveted spots.Agoncillo was the first name to be confirmed; the identities of the remaining two judges and the other host are still being kept under wraps by ABC 5 producers.In fact, Agoncillo wasn’t allowed to divulge the good news to anyone. Not even to his girlfriend, actress Judy Ann Santos?“I haven’t told her yet,” he quipped.He said she’d surely be pleased with it because, “it’s a job… and an exciting one at that.”Inquirer Entertainment knew about it; Agoncillo even gamely recounted the audition process.

“I was very nervous,” he recalled. “I haven’t auditioned for anything in a long time. I went on a dinner break (from the taping of the ABS-CBN soap opera) ‘Bituing Walang Ningning’ and I rushed to the ABC 5 studio in Novaliches. I had to learn my lines as I walked to the studio.”Fortunately, the audition went smoothly… and swiftly. “It was over in three minutes,” Ryan recalled. He was asked to introduce the show and “console a female contestant that had just been bashed by a Simon Cowell-type judge because of her lousy fashion sense.”Agoncillo surmised that his “experience as TV host” gave him the edge over the other wannabes.

Spontaneity“I’ve been doing this for a living for seven years now,” he explained.“Spontaneity,” he believed, was also a factor.“I’m comfortable with ad-libbing,” he pointed out. “It’s easier for me because I get to dictate the tempo. I’m not constrained by a TelePrompter, idiot board or script. I’ve reached a point in my hosting where I now know when and when not to bend and break rules and put them together in one breath.”According to Agoncillo, producers encourage hosts and judges to speak Filipino, English or Taglish. “Whatever we’re comfortable with.”Agoncillo, who won a KBP Golden Dove Award for Best Talk and Magazine Show host in 2005 for “Y Speak,” isn’t aiming to be a Seacrest clone.“The producers were not looking for another Ryan Seacrest,” he said. “For the most part, they want his vibe, but they don’t want a carbon copy.”If there’s one Seacrest trait he would like to emulate, it’s the American host’s ability to elicit candid remarks from the contestants.“Seacrest can really make the contestants open up,” Agoncillo opined. “I also want to have a say in my spiels, in defending contestants when judges get too rough or reining in the contestants when they get too abrasive.”That, in a nutshell, is his job as host.

“More than the jacket, I am just the thread that holds the show together,” he affirmed. The jacket or the real stars of the show are the contestants.“My responsibility as host is to let the contestants shine. I should know when to leave them alone and when to pump them up.”Agoncillo, who follows “AI” (he’s rooting for rocker Chris Daughtry), said that “the local auditions in Manila, Cebu and Davao would definitely be fun.

”He’s all “psyched up” and confident that “Philippine Idol” will succeed because “its concept is something we are all familiar with. It will be very interesting to import something foreign and reinvent it into something genuinely Pinoy. It’s like being served the first hamburger all over again.”Or the first adobo?

Agoncillo himself is now caught up in the “Idol” frenzy. “I am looking forward to seeing the Filipino Idol. I don’t want to see the next Michael Jackson or ’N’ Sync. I want to hear the future of Pinoy sound.”

According to Inquirer Entertainment last Sunday, June 11, 2006, Ryan agoncillo was already announced as the lone host of "Philippine Idol".

ABC fast tracks search for first Philippine Idol

2006-06-13T23:37:00.000+08:00

ABC, licensee of the “American Idol” format and which will soon produce the country’s version, jump starts the search for the first Philippine Idol, with a series of Fast Tracks for prospective contestants to be held in 28 cities nationwide. For the lucky ones, the Fast Tracks will make the road for the mammoth auditions scheduled in the key cities of Manila (for Metro Manila, North and South Luzon), Davao (for Mindanao), and Cebu (for Visayas) more accessible, faster, and easier.

The Fast Tracks give interested applicants a chance to be pre-screened and to try out for the auditions proper. At the Fast Tracks, their credentials will be validated and they will perform before a set of judges. The ones who will be chosen in the Fast Tracks will be given a special VIP pass to the audition proper. It’s their ticket to the “express lane,” meaning their auditions are already scheduled and they do not have to stand up in long lines with the thousands who will try out only in the audition proper in Manila, Davao or Cebu.

Qualified Fast Trackers also win free transportation and food and lodging when they go to their main audition. The Fast Tracks are sponsored by SM supermalls, Manila Broadcasting Company, and Radio Mindanao Network.

Fast Tracks schedule in May follows: May 12 – SM Fairview (Quezon City), SM Lucena (Lucena City) and Pacific Mall (Laoag, Ilocos Norte); May 14 – CSI Mall (San Fernando, La Union), Mart One (Cagayan), CSI Mall (Dagupan, Pangasinan) and Pacific Mall (Legaspi, Albay); May 15 – SM Megamall and SM Pampanga (San Fernando); May 17 – SM Bacoor (Cavite; May 18 – SM Dasmarinas (Cavite); May 19 – SM Bicutan (Paranaque); May 26 – SM Baguio; May 27 – SM South Mall (Las Pinas and SM Sta. Mesa); May 30 – SM Valenzuela.

June Fast Tracks will be announced over RMN and MBC radio stations.

Applicants should be at least 16 but not more than 28 years old on July 1, 2006. They must not hold any talent or recording contract. They must present a valid ID or birth certificate or both and a 2×2 ID photo. They must be prepared to sing two songs from the official song list in the website philippineidol.com . Registration is from 10:30 a.m. to 12 nn.

FAQs ABOUT PHILIPPINE IDOL FAST TRACKS and AUDITIONS

2006-06-13T23:33:00.000+08:00

1. What is the Philippine Idol Fast Tracks?
Philippine Idol Fast Tracks is a way to get to the Philippine Idol auditions. If you are able to show your superb singing talent to the live audience and impress the judges at the venue, you may win a Fast Tracks pass which will entitle you to a scheduled audition in Manila, Cebu or Davao. It was created to help Philippine Idol aspirants from around the country to have the chance to join the contest, wherever they are. Fast Tracks is sponsored by MBC and RMN radio stations with the help of SM and various malls in the Philippines. Philippine Idol Fast Tracks is limited to 150 qualified registrants.

2. What do I need to join the Philippine Idol Fast Tracks?
You have to be at least 16 years old but not more than 28 on July 1, 2006. You also have to be a certified Filipino citizen or of dual citizenship. Plus, be prepared to sing two (2) songs, one (1) fast, one (1) slow. And please don’t wear clothes with logos. All Fast Tracks will be held at the participating mall. The aspirant has to sing in front of a live audience and 3 judges.

3. What is the difference between the Fast Tracks and the Auditions?
Philippine Idol Fast Tracks is the way to the Philippine Idol Auditions. If you win the Fast Tracks, you will get a Fast Tracks Pass which will entitle you to a scheduled audition. If you pass the Audition, you will officially become a Philippine Idol contender. If you were not able to get a pass at the Fast Tracks, you can still join the Auditions in Manila, Cebu and Davao without the convenience of a specially scheduled audition.

4. When are the Philippine Idol Auditions?
In Manila, it will be held at PICC on June 3. In Davao, on June 23 and in Cebu on July 4. Please wait for announcement of venues in Davao and Cebu.

5. What do I need to join the Philippine Idol Auditions?
You have to be at least 16 but not more than 28 years old on July 1, 2006 and a certified Filipino citizen or of dual citizenship. Complete the application forms available at ABC, RMN, MBC stations or SM malls or at www.philippineidol.com.Prepare two (2) songs, one(1) fast, one(1) slow. Bring one(1) valid ID plus two photos, 1 close up (at least passport size) and 1 full body (at least 3R size). And also don’t forget to bring your original plus two(2) certified copies of your birth certificate.