PHILIPPINE IDOL: 8th ELIMINATION
(UPDATED AFTER THE RESULTS SHOW)
Ryan Cayabyab:
“I’m tongue tied, I don’t have anything to say, nothing…”
One visitor posted a question here last night after the show. She was asking me if I was one of those inside the Philippine Idol theatre who cried after the elimination of Pow Chavez.
The answer’s no.
Why? Because I was angry, more than sad.
When I got home after the show, I watched the tape, dun, duon ako naiyak, in the privacy of my bedroom.
Why?
Because of this emotional valedictory from Pow:
Pow Chavez: (before the announcement)
“Gusto ko lang magpasalamat sa lahat ng taong tumanggap sa akin, ah, iyun pong dalhin nyo ako sa stage na ito malaki na pong karangalan sa akin!”Pow Chavez: (teary goodbye)
“Baka hindi na ako makakanta (pause) di ako umiiyak (pause) ah gusto ko lang pong magpasalamat sa (pause MR C hands her a hanky) mula po sa puso ko (pause) nagpapasalamat po ako tinanggap ninyo ako at nakarating ako ganito kalayo (pause) di po ako sumasali sa mga singing contest kasi natatakot ako na baka hindi nyo ko tanggapin, isang taong kagaya ko, pero kaya po ako narito kasi po gusto ko kumanta….”
(As you have seen on TV, people were crying and weeping as the event unfolded. It was sort of a group weep. This is definitely a first in Philippine Idol history. Ito na ang pinaka malungkot na results show ng first season ng PI)(www.starmometer.com, please please file this moment in your youtube account, please?)
Ryan Agoncillo:
“Pow, we look forward to a lot of things from you…Pow Chavez!!!”
Then a fitting exit. After the tears, a bouncy number that made everyone, especially the judges (Lea, Mamita, FM and Mr C) stand, dance and clap.
A great transition from Idol hopeful to a true blue Idol.
The kind we admire so much because her only drive is to sing for us.
A few minutes later, Pow went live for Sentro, ABC5’s late night newscast. I was there to coach for our reporter assigned to cover the event.
She told Sentro that even before the results show, she already had the feeling she’s the one getting the boot. That her time in the PI competition ends tonight. She said she readily accepted her fate. But she still cried on stage because she said she’s touched by the support of the people who accepted her for who she is.
Pow Chavez on Sentro:
“Para sa akin gusto ko maging tutoo sa sarili ko ayoko magkunwari!”
Immediately after the interview, I hugged Pow.
She’s my Idol!
I have to admit, from the start, Pow’s my sentimental choice, as the first ever Philippine Idol. I followed her storyline since the time her audition for PI was shown. I loved her more because of her rendition of the song “Questions”, and I remember my first conversation with her via the celfone of my officemate, because of that song. When the Top 12 was chosen, I made sure that I’ll be present on the first round of the finals, to have my picture taken with Pow. That was weeks ago, and I never faltered in giving her my support ever since.
You may have lost, Pow, but come to think of it, the votes cast for you were true blue votes of confidence. A lot has been said about the inconsistency of your voters to pour support. But that phenomenon in itself is a tribute to your talent, people were really voting for you and the way they voted depended on how you fared on a given competition night. This kind of votes is far better than the bogus bloc votes that some other finalists automatically churn out week after week after week.
That’s you edge. A fan base that respects your music. Too bad your fan base is not as capable as the others.
Okay na rin last night, even if Mau was the clear winner performance wise, your star still shined bright in many other ways. Last night you were memorable in the solo spots in Seasons of Love, and most importantly, that night, you got your validation about not wearing skirts or gowns. About being comfortable for what you really are.
You may not know it Pow, but you “pushed a very important social envelope”, while you were in PI. You said you joined PI to simply sing. Sure you mesmerized us with your gift of song, but “like many others” before you, you also opened up, some more, the mind of pinoys about choices, acceptance and diversity.
Way.To.Go!
I love you, Pow!
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Ryan Agoncillo:
“Miguel for the past two weeks you’ve been scratching your head after results night kinakabahan ka lagi especially last night, it struck me when you said -I’m ready to go-. Gusto mo pa ba mag continue sa competition na ito, Miguel?”
Miguel Mendoza:
“Oo, if there are people who will still vote for me, okay lang, okay lang din hindi”
(people will kill to be in this contest! I can’t believe this blasé reply and how it was said at this stage of the contest!)
This portion of the show, I’ve been told by at least three sources, “means a lot” (that there is a big — as in a huge tidbit about this issue before the show). A text message even implied that a pull out of support by a very able supporter of a hopeful is in the offing. Too bad we had to say goodbye to Pow before this “issue” will go full blown.
Again, if it is true. Si Miguel nga ba and a supporter of his ang tinutukoy?
Again if it is true. We will see.
The wise thing to do? Just keep on voting for your bets.
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The joke inside the Philippine Idol Theatre tonight:
“Sa Araneta Coliseum pa rin ang finals ng Philippine Idol…. Pero sa Clownz Araneta na daw lang gagawin!”
LOL. I’m laughing not just because it’s funny but because at the same time, I’m scared. Nervous laughter kumabaga.
Pero paano nga kung katatawanan ang maiiwan sa top2?
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Shout out: KEN DINGLE! Nice to have finally met you. Thanks Drae for the formal introduction.
A big HI to the UST College of Science people I met after the results show last night. Hello fellow PI fanatics! We may be supporting different bets, but when it comes to the show, pare pareho tayo, addicted. Great seeing you guys and girls! Too bad I wasn’t able to get your names.
Hi Jeli!
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BTW
Lion King opening number: Bravo!
Lea Salonga: Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!
I am too sad to give a long review of these production numbers.
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THEME FOR NEXT WEEK: BIG BAND (with a glamorous, classic Las Vegas type of presentation)
Will get more details about this vague theme from the staffers, alam ko mejo malabo.
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MORE SAD AND ANGRY POSTS ABOUT POW’S OUSTER here:
ABC5 Forums, Philippine Idol, and Technorati (for the latest blogs that touched on PI)
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(THIS PART WAS POSTED AFTER THE PERFORMANCE NIGHT)
Thank goodness I was able to watch the show live!
It’s been getting harder to get tickets for the live shows at the Philippine Idol Theatre, Megamall Cinema 3. Especially this week! What with the theme, the hype, the advanced reviews and Lea Salonga.
Up until 8pm last night, the only sure way I had, for me to be able to get inside the theatre, was the use of my company ID.
Then, umulan ng grasya. Noemi
gave me one ticket. Then the great ladies in lobby handed me my SRO Ticket from Perci Intalan. Then Cris and Manny offered me tickets, too. Suddenly, I had tickets to give my friends who were waiting for my go signal if they will rush to the PI Theatre. Barbie, Adrian, Rey, Jher and Bridget
(almost all of them are bloggers!), but it was past 8pm and hindi na nila kaya tumakbo sa megamall, to make it to the 9pm show. Sayang. Last night’s show was really entertaining. If they were there, they could have cheered until their throats hurt and clapped until their hands got sore.
Last night, for the first time since I’ve started watching Philippine Idol live, I wasn’t a quiet spectator, I was really into the whole shebang. I hooted, I clapped like there was no tomorrow, I even gave one performer “the ovation”. At the start of the show, I was a bit cautious with my reactions because my group was seated at the back of my boss. Pero, with performances like that? Wala na, hindi na kami nagtimpi.
Last night’s “Movies/Musicals” theme, in my opinion delivered the goods, and so much more. A bit more, I told Jackie (my producer and fellow PI addict) that the whole thing was “too busy”, sometimes, my attention was grabbed away from the singing. Sa screen ba ako titingin? Sa dancers? The band? The String section? The judges? I must admit, nawala attention ko sa mga Idol hopefuls in some parts. But still, you have to give everyone in the PI production team for working really hard this week.
I didn’t mind the blocking because movies and musicals are into those aspects most of the time. The precise positioning in a given portion of the performance (so that the fog effect or the dancers or the props are all “swak”) is part and parcel of the theme. Too bad not everyone’s gifted with timing and natural grace. But that’s the way the cookie crumbles. In the past performance nights, some contestants got criticized because the theme wasn’t their genre, tonight, same same. Ganun eh.
But still, tonight was good. Production wise and performances wise. Even the things that the judges said were fairly interesting. Sometimes they were still unfair, but well, generally, okay na rin.
For me, the show got me at hello. I mean during the group number at the beginning. The top 5 gave us an admirable version of “Seasons of Love”. Their blending was okay. And they sounded great in their solos. People were clapping with them in that specific portion near the end. And guess who made birit near the end of the song? Pow, powerful Pow.
And now for the performances.
POW CHAVEZ
“So Far So Good”
Movie Clip: first frame of the clip pa lang, the audience were already cheering and laughing. They were anticipating the “Pretty Woman” transformation scene where Pow donned different dresses. It was a hoot. It was terrible, awkward but funny. Especially when Pow posed on a sofa wearing that polka dot dress. That’s what you asked for, Mamita!
Lea Salonga:
“(asking FM) What’s wrong with Pow being Pow? … First please I don’t ever want to see you in a dress, no no no, because my only thing is kasi kung di ka comfortable sa isusuot mo damit, then you wouldn’t feel comfortable when you sing!”
Now about her rendition of So Far So Good, it was “good”. I just a have a feeling that a lot of people were not too crazy about the song choice. Not her fault though, they didn’t pick the songs for tonight. I know I know, it is not about the song but how the song was performed. She performed it well. But in a round that her butt is among those who might get the boot, mejo natatakot ako sa kaniya because hindi gaano popular kinanta niya. Sana mali ako. Sana po. Hindi siya ang deserving mawala sa competition based on last night’s performances.
“I’ll Give My Life For You”
Ryan Agoncillo said it during the intro, this song is always heart wrenching. And Pow surely went for the heart of the viewers by using her heart when she sang this Miss Saigon tune. Of course, Lea’s version is way better. But we have to acknowledge the fact that Pow’s raw and even pained, version of the song was really affecting. Not perfect, but she got me. She did, lagi naman eh.
Francis Magalona:
“You proved your versatility. Pwede!”
Lea Salonga:
“You did it well. Mejo nag preno ka ng konti”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“I had my eyes closed. It was very good most of the time”
Pilita Corales:
“I think I like to see Pow back in her pants… “
Kasi naman.
MIGUEL MENDOZA
“Growing Up”
Movie Clip: featured some of the Philippine Idol Top 24, notably Ken and Apple, hamming it up on cam, Bagets style. It was a fun clip. Something you don’t take seriously. A nice intro to a lightweight production number. Something you don’t take seriously.
Pilita Corales:
“Very nasal … I wasn’t impressed with this one… ”
Lea Salonga:
“(about the shirt) I’m not sure I’m loving’ it…”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“You know how I feel about you, I won’t say it anymore, tonight, I like your smile, that’s it…”
(bravo, Mr.C, that’s a solid statement!)
“Can You Feel The Love Tonight”
A Disney song. Another lightweight song choice that fits the singer’s capability.
Lea Salonga:
“it’s like something you learned from kindergarten”
(Lea, sinabi mo!)
Pilita Corales:
“Your voice tonight is a little tired”
(Mrs. Mendoza, listen to Mamita, your son is already tired)
Ryan Cayabyab:
“Wala na ako masabi Miguel”
But a friend told me thru text, Miguel should have joined another singing contest, the kind that trains young people to sing, act and dance.
Miguel’s song choices were safe. Evidently it was (the show’s production team and) his camp’s strategy. But it backfired, big time. The choice not to up the ante and pick more challenging songs, only made him pale and weak, performance wise, compared to the other four idol hopefuls. Halatang halata na hindi niya kaliga an gang kasabayan niya kagabi.
GIAN MAGDANGAL
“Sana’y Ikaw Na Nga”
Movie Clip: with Drae, Arms, Apple and Justin Cuyugan. It was a no brainer heartbreak clip. But there were loud awwwwws inside the theatre when it was revealed that Apple’s married and Gian was crushed. It seems that a lot of the people in the audience really felt sorry for Gian. Drae, Arms, you were under utilized! Hehehe.
Francis Magalona:
“Slow song, magaling pa rin…”
Pilita Corales:
“Gian can sing anything…”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“I didn’t feel it, Gian you know…sa mga lalaki ikaw pinakamagaling na singer, sa akin naghihintay ako…halukayin mo pa puso ko… di ko nararamdaman… I feel cold”
I don’t understand why you said that Mr. C, ano ba talaga kulang at bakit parang ikaw lang nakulangan? Ilang weeks ka nang “downer” ng mga hopefuls you considered earlier in the contest, as the ones who deserve the title ah?
Buti na lang andun si Lea:
Lea Salonga:
“I knew what you were feeling and I could feel it also, which is effective. You acted it as well as you sang it, di mo lang kinakanta yung mga nota you were actually feeling it…”
“Greased Lightning”
With this performance, Gian is the total package. He’s got the right amount of yabang (confidence) for the song. He got the second longest duration of cheers after singing.
Pilita Corales:
“You stil there to be an idol!”
Lea Salonga:
“It is hard to sing and dance at the same time, you just rolled and rolled and the audience were with you…”
Francis Magalona:
“Your stage is your playground, you are a natural!”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“Mismo na mismo yun, yun yun!”
JAN NIETO
“Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?”
Movie Clip: Forbidden love with Jeli and Jan, Suey. Pwede silang pang teleserye. Lalu ka na Jeli! Iba ang pathos mo sa clip. Jan also has screen presence. It is telling though who your screen idol is: PP, tama? I also realized in the clip that your singing voice is better than your conversational voice. I don’t want to say the word that describes it, kasi it might fuel talks in the forum. But you belong to the acting profession Jan.
Too bad, hindi mo pinakinggan ang mga constructive criticisms about practicing in front of the mirror. You sang the song song well, but your facial expression ruined it for me, and evidently, for the judges too.
Francis Magalona:
“I caught you acting… you were just going through the motion…”
Lea Salonga:
“Note perfect… but parang you were told were to go, where to go and you tried to hit the spot, I’m not about the facial expression…”
Pilita Corales: (in love sya kay Jan, hehehe)
“You really try very hard every week…”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“You look awkward.”
“Corner of the Sky” Miss Conception movie download
Boy, you sang this song well. But the hand gestures during ramble part were really guffaw inducing. They tickled my group endlessly, we got so distracted and we were laughing all the way.
Lea Salonga:
“Awkward, I don’t want to see uncomfortable in a performer. I don’t want to feel sorry for the performer…”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“Of all the contestants here you are the most improved, mukhang nakuha mo na tamang kailangang pagkanta, (but) you look awkward in the poses”
Okay, here’s a parallelism. Nora Aunor. She’s a great actress. But lately, she’s been developing bad acting mannerisms. The kind that impersonators use to the hilt to get laughs. In your case, your mannerisms are as follows: pained face that register as constipation, reaching out arm and hand (always your left arm) that supposedly is your way of connecting to the audience (or to Mamita, most of the time), faraway stare that makes you seem lost in your own world. A pal also texted, “pinangatawanan ni Jan ang Ricky Martin sleaze look.
But Jan, in fairness, when we were not looking, you actually sounded okay, tonight.
MAU MARCELO
“Diamonds Are Forever”
Movie Clip: James Bond slash Charlie’s Angels Drew Barrymore rescue scene. With Stef and Brad. And yes, with Mau in a no speaking part. The funniest damsel in distress character I’ve seen in a long while.
The best performance of the night, of the final stretch! She made me hoot, cheer, clap and stand! My first standing ovation for an idol hopeful. Ang daming tumayo, ang haba ng applause. Ang galing galing mo kagabi Mau!
Pilita Corales:
“Yes, My god! You look beautiful…. Movement ala Pilita Corales”
Francis Magalona:
“You are stunningly beautiful, tonight, vocally, you are the diamond”
Lea Salonga:
“Audience reaction is more telling than what we will say, an incredible performance… (after the five performances) whose gonna win? I think it’s gonna be you…”
Ryan Cayabyab:
“Woooooooooohhhhhhhh!”
“Wow!”
“Great singing Mau, best supporting extra”
“And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going”
FM
“Iba ang palakpak ng pala at palakpak ng tunay na paghanga”
Lea
“I’m still pretty happy”
Pilita
“Ive heard it done better but it is still very good”
Ryan
“Panalo pa rin”
Not as good as her first song. She sang the lyrics “Your gonna love me”, after the show I personally told Mau, “I love you Mau ang galing mo!”
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Mau Marcelo was the star of the night, especially because of her first number.
Gian’s the biggest threat, as always.
Pow and Jan, for me, were on equal footing last night, but because of jan’s distracting mannerisms, Pow gets the third slot.
In a world with justice, I want to see Miguel Mendoza leave tonight.
But knowing how powerful his voting prowess is (as opposed to his weak vocal props), I’m afraid, he’s gonna stay on.
Too bad.
Let me borrow Mo Twister’s line last week, “it will be an injustice for the other contestants” if he will stay on and another good contestant leaves. And yes, when I say this, I mean, including Jan Nieto. Kahit kay Jan, hindi pwedeng ihanay ang present abilidad ni Bunso.
This is the reason why at this point of the contest, I salute MY TOP THREE PHILIPPINE IDOL HOPEFULS.
You three may end up saying goodbye, tonight or in the next rounds, but you each get our respect.
Iba kayo mga IDOL ko!
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I asked Jeli is she’s really joining the Bb. Pilipinas quest.
She denied it.
I told her she should. Sincerely.
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Noticed the silver dog tags that the Idol hopefuls were wearing last night?
All twelve semifinalists have those tags.
This sweet guy gave them the souvenir:
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Shout out to Patty and her sister! Nice to have finally met the two of you, happy blogging! Patty, you looked “orgasmically” (ikaw nagsabi nyan sa blog mo) happy last night, near Gian! Hehehehe. Just joking.
Noemi, thanks again!
I will link later, have to rush, may work pa ako.
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If these people were not voted off, pwede silang first ever Philippine Idol:
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Useful links again:
ABC5 Forums, Philippine Idol, and Technorati (for the latest blogs that touched on PI)
