Philippine Idol
Ryan Cayabyab (musical composer),
Pilita Corrales (singer, known as Asia's Queen of Songs) and
Francis Magalona (rapper and producer) are the judges of the show.
[ (No online version)] |
Philippine Idol host Ryan Agoncillo with official judges Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales and Francis Magalona. Posted from Manila Times Internet Edition from an ABC-5 press kit. (http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/july/29/yehey/images/life.jpg) |
Auditions for the first season were held in
Manila on June 3,
Davao on June 23 and in
Cebu on July 4. Fast-track screenings were also held at satellite venues in
SM Supermalls located in key cities such as
Baguio City,
Lucena City,
Batangas City,
Iloilo City, and
Cagayan de Oro City on May and June. Several fast-track auditions were also done in cities without an SM Mall such as
Dagupan City,
Ilagan, Isabela,
Tacloban City, and
Zamboanga City. Applicants will be asked to fill up necessary forms and perform two songs before a set of judges, usually from the local radio and music indutries.
Successful applicants of the Fast-Tracks will each be given a pass for the audition proper. ABC-5 and its media partners
Radio Mindanao Network and
Manila Broadcasting Corpation provided free transportation, food and lodging to those who will pass the main auditions.
A total of 169 aspirants have received the Gold Pass from the three main judges. One-hundred nineteen (119) are from Luzon and Metro Manila, while 17 and 33 are from Davao and Cebu respectively. However, according to an article in Philippine Daily Inquirer, three Gold Passers have backed out before the Theater Rounds. The reasons for backing out range from family problems to accepting an overseas job offer.
[Idol begins today, INQ7.net, July 30, 2006 issue] The remaining contenders battled each other out during the Theater Eliminations that were held in Cultural Center of the Philippines from August 1 to 3. They were billeted at
Bayview Park Hotel, where the provincial Gold Passers arrived via first-class in
Super Ferry while the Luzon contenders were picked-up in selected SM Malls. It is from the Theater Eliminations that the "Top 24" finalists were selected. Their names will be aired later.
Initially, the program is scheduled to begin on July 29, 2006, but ABC-5 moved it to July 30, 2006 (a Sunday) to strengthen their Sunday line-up, when other local stations have talk shows and game shows on that day.
Auditions
The auditions were held at the
Philippine International Convention Center in
Manila, Bigfoot Entertainment's International Academy of Film and Television in
Cebu City, and at
Davao City (venue to be announced).
This is a list of notable contestants who failed at the auditions:
*
Ann Margarette Betia - Cayabyab questioned her performance of "Fallin'" as too much of
Alicia Keys. She walks out crying, saying to the camera that if she won't become the Philippine Idol, she will become the
American Idol. Auditioned in Manila.
*
Christopher Lumbab - he danced as he enters the audition room. After singing his piece, his happy face suddenly shed tears, lamenting about how he lost his job because he skipped a day just to audition. Although the judges did not made him through the next round, he tried to lift his spirits by dancing as he exited the room. Auditioned in Cebu.
*
Janrie Saplad - he tried to
breakdance while singing
The Calling's "Wherever You Will Go". Cayabyab asked who his choreographer was so he could kill him. Auditioned in Cebu.
*
Jawomar "Charlie" Maligayo - in his interview he "want(s) to dedicated" his audition to Holly,
Hillary Duff,
Cueshe, and the whole
Cavite State University. Upon audition, he gave letters to the judges and refused to talk until he is instructed to sing. His rendition of
Selena's "Dreaming Of You" did not get the judges' nod. Auditioned in Manila.
*
John Paul Padillo - performed an off-tune rendition of
N'Sync's "Pop." His sister Lenebelle was luckier (see below). Auditioned in Cebu.
*
Jonard Moneva - a truck driver who is also an aspiring songwriter. He sang one of his
novelty compositions about
heartache and
suicide for the judges, but Corrales adviced him to pursue a career in Cebuano songwriting instead. Auditioned in Cebu.
*
Josemaria Seno - works as a production assistant for
International Academy for Film and Television which is the venue for the Cebu Auditions. His snap-happy rendition of "The Way You Look Tonight" prompted Cayabyab to stand up and instructed him to stand still as he sang. There it was realized that his voice had flat notes. After ejection, he claimed that it is "inebitabol" for him to be famous.
*
Justice Regondola - credited as the first ever person to audition on the show as evinced by his number 00001. Auditioned in Manila.
*
Kyrley Sumagaysay - came from far-flung
Zamboanga del Sur province with nothing more than
P1,300 (around US$25). Although her voice has potential, the judges decided that she is not an Idol material. The dramatic shots of her interview (such as staring at the sunset, or wind blowing on her face as she exits the venue) became a highlight. Auditioned in Cebu.
*
Leonard Ocampo - wore his "lucky" trench coat, but ended up pleading to the judges for another chance. Auditioned in Manila.
*
Michelle Ortuoste - this
Sultan Kudarat native tried to impress the judges by singing an operatic
do-re-mi as she entered the audition room of Cebu. She gave an opera rendition of
The Lord's Prayer, but failed to impress the judges. Auditioned in Cebu.
*
Rolando Lim - messed up the lyrics of
Gloria Estefan's "Conga", prompting Magalona to sing "No Way, No Way" to the tune of Conga. Auditioned in Manila.
*
Win John Dacay - his already bad audition was masked by his sudden dance moves and frequent
splits. Auditioned in Cebu.
Second round
This a list of the contestants that qualified for the second round, divided on the location of their auditions:
Manila
*
Bench Cruz - Came in with a cowboy get-up and admitted admiring
Garth Brooks. He sang
Tom Jones' version of "Kiss".
*
Cherry Ann Chiu - gave a
rhythm and blues inspired-version of "D Ispageti Song" by the
SexBomb Girls.
*
Erika Jill Bautista - sang "Mahiwaga" by
Society of Seven despite having a
hearing impairment. Her mother joined her as her advancement was announced.
*
Freddie Cabael - gave an "original" performance of
Gary Valenciano's "Shout For Joy".
*
Ira Patricia Marasigan - sang "
Route 66"
*
Jeffrey Santos - made a surprising entrance by playing his
trumpet before giving a just performance of "Sugod" (English: "Charge!") by
Sandwich. He should not be confused with the brother of
Judy Ann Santos, who not only has the same name, but is also an actor.
*
Jellica Marie Mateo - a lounge singer and part-time model whose looks alone attracted Francis's attention. She sang "
You Don't Know Me"
*
Jhonalene Sison - a band vocalist who wore an all-green
animé-inspired outfit and sang a pompous version of the
Voltes V theme before giving a song the judges could understand.
*
John Jerrico Perey - gave the judges and host some
hula lessons before he gave his low-toned, yet original performance of
Josh Groban's "Broken Vow".
*
Lalaine Enriquez - wore black while giving an energetic performance of "Babae Po Ako ('Di Ako Bakla)" (English: I'm A Girl, I'm Not Gay) by
Tuesday Vargas.
*
Marcello "Markki" Stroem - gave a flawless rendition of "Anak" (by
Freddie Aguilar) despite being profiled as someone good enough for
American Idol.
*
Michelle Belmonte - she was accompanied by her Austrian boyfriend. She wore black and did some superb dancing with her rendition of "Shy Guy".
*
Paula Patricia Chavez - an openly
lesbian canditate who rendered a
Jackson 5 number ("I Want You Back") wearing baggy clothing and baseball cap.
*
Rowell Quizon - a grandson of veteran comedian
Dolphy who gave a good rendition of "Lately" (by
Stevie Wonder).
Cebu
*
Brian Sombrero - a boxer enrolee who came from
Metro Manila who sang
George Michael's "Careless Whisper".
*
Edwin Lotivio, Jr. - sang
Josh Groban's hit "You're Still You" whom he dedicated to his mother.
*
Fred Abaquita, Jr. - a barber by profession. He promised himself to give Corrales's family free haircuts if he would pass his audition.
*
Giancarlo Magdangal - cousin of singer/actress
Jolina Magdangal. He is a former member of
La Salle singing group
Kundirana and boy band
17:28; serenaded Corrales with the soulful ballad "The Last Time" by
Eric Benet.
*
James Yebes - he auditioned by accident, since he was supposed to enroll at
International Academy For Film and Television which is the audition venue for Visayas leg; sang a soulful rendition of "Superstar".
*
Jefferson Gayo - a
bald-headed contestant who sang a song in
Cebuano.
*
Kenneth Paul Alonzo - a male
transexual who goes by the name "Yova" (derived from "Yobab", which is
baboy or "pig" spelled backwards). He auditioned wearing a purple parachute dress; impressed the judges with his soulful yet controlled rendition of
Whitney Houston's "Why Does It Hurt So Bad".
*
Lenebelle Padillo - brother of John Paul (see above); profiled as an
extreme sports nut. Delivered a flawless rendition of "
I Will Survive."
*
Randolph Libres, M.D. - a medical practitioner who sang a classic Filipino ballad "Ikaw Lamang" (English: Only You). Magalona complemented his clear vocal quality, but Cayabyab noticed that he had pitch problems.
*
Ricardo Sabanal III - gave out his all through one of the songs in the musical
Jesus Christ, Superstar entitled "Gethsemane".
*
Stephanie Lazaro - a former contender of
Australian Idol who tried her luck in her mother's homeland; sang "Out Of Love" by
Anastacia.
*
Zandra Tan - a
dancesport competitor by profession, she belted out an otherwise pop tune "No Ordinary Love" by
Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Davao
*To be announced.
* A fast-track audition that was to be held at SM City Sta. Mesa was cancelled leading to complaints from hopefuls and parents. After several hours of waiting, a representative of ABC-5 arrived and relocated each of the 160 frustrated applicants to other scheduled Fast-Track auditions.
[‘Philippine Idol' organizers no-show at mall audition, INQ7.net, May 28, 2006 issue]* Several Filipinos living in Mindanao reacted negatively to what the Philippine Idol judges said after a low Gold Pass turnout at the Davao Main Auditions, with Corrales (a
Cebuana herself) was quoted as: "Davao is not the place to look for an Idol. All the good ones are in Cebu."
[No 'Idols' Here, INQ7.net, June 28, 2006 issue]* Another controversy came out when ABC 5 confirmed that a contestant was pirated by ABS-CBN's Pinoy Dream Academy. Sources said that some employess of ABS-CBN even approached a judge to "just let (some of) the contestants go."
[ABC-5 Confirms Talent 'Piracy', INQ7.net, August 7, 2006 issue]
*
Philippine Idol Official Website
*
Philippine-Idol fan site (unofficial)
