My list of Philippine Idol Top 24 Contenders

Posted on 2006 under Pinoy Idol (Philippine Idol) with 249 views

Apparently, some Philippine Idol contestants who didn’t make it to Philippine Idol Finals joined ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Dream Academy. The latter has the same format as “Philippine Idol.” “Dream Academy” is a franchise from the same Dutch company behind the Kapamilya network’s “Pinoy Big Brother.”

Meanwhile, the contest’s top 24 contenders were chosen on Thursday after the scheduled three-day theater auditions conducted by judges Pilita Corrales, Ryan Cayabyab and Francis Magalona at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. This signals the beginning of live performances and voting through SMS.

In an interview, Francis said he had picked his “24 favorites” on the very first day of the screening.

Master composer Cayabyab didn’t have fun. “I got headaches,” he said. “Ang daming magaling na kailangang matanggal.” (We have to eliminate even those who were really talented.)

The 166 contestants were whittled down to 84 on the first day. On the second day, the remaining contenders were made to choose from three songs personally picked by “Idol” musical director Mel Villena. They were then assigned to a group with three members.

Contract

The male contestants were asked to chose from hits songs “Shout For Joy,” “Part-time Lover” and “Trapped In A Stairway.” Female contestants picked from “Mambobola,” “I’m So Excited” and “Ain’t Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You.” Only 40 were asked to stay on for the third day.

“Work is more enjoyable now,” said Francis. “When I picked my top 24, I asked myself these questions: Will I want my photo to be taken with these contestants? Will I line up to ask for their autograph?”

The first Philippine Idol will sign a recording contract with Sony BMG Records.

Now that they are done choosing the top 24 contenders, the show will get even more exciting. There is still one more audition episode before they show the eliminations in Manila. Let me guess some of the top 24 based on Manila and Cebu auditions :

1. Ira Marasigan