It’s been two weeks since I last participated as a live audience inside the Philippine Idol Studio and I missed the energy of being in the live audience. So where was I? I was out of town the past 2 weeks. Disclosure: I am not connected to ABC-5, or Freemantle, the producer of Philippine Idol. My husband and I are quests of a friend connected to Mobile2win , the official wireless aggregator for the ‘Philippine Idol’
The theme for the night is “Song of My Life”. Idol finalists choose a song that convey a special message from them to someone important or has an important meaning in their lves. Today, two will be eliminated. (View Top 9 Philippine Idol Photo Gallery)
This is my top 7 Philippine Idol finalists ( by order)
1. Mau Marcelo (Maureen Marcelo) who sang I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Her dramatic costume act did not detract us from her powerful rendition. I like this woman. She is warm and receptive to her fans. After every show, I try to take photos of the Idol finalists and Mau is very charming to her fans. A Philippine Idol should not only be an excellent singer and performer onstage but also a charming person to their fans. I know it is hard for them as they are tired from the show but it’s the fan base that does the voting.
Listen to Mau’s hair-rising performance.
2. Gian Carlo Magdangal - Superstar by Luther Vandross
When I saw Gian sing beside the Oboe player, you can feel his passion as he portrays the meaning to his past love. He is also warm to his fans even to someone like me who is a total stranger to him.
3. Pow Chavez (Paula “Pow” Patricia Chavez) - For Once In My Life by Spiral Staircase
Pow generated so much energy from the audience. With the fast pacing of the song, it brought fun and cheer among the audience. Pow is another Idol finalist who has charisma towards her fans. Below is a photo of Pow and my daughter after the show. My daughter complimented Pow over her wonderful voice and Pow beamed a sweet smile that can truly warm her fans.
4. Miguel Mendoza - Sandra by Barry Manilow
As a mother, I felt so touched with Miguel’s dedication to his mom. I caught sight of his mom (see photo below) who is probably filled with pride . I know I would.
5. Apple Chiu - Someone to Watch Over Me by Linda Ronstadt
I’m quite satisfied that Apple is more flexible with her vocal tones, and even her stage presence. Her new hairstyle added to the mystery of her voice. Apple has excellent tastes in her clothes. I never catch Apple after the show so I never got to steal shots of her.
6 .Arms Cruz - If I Believe by Patti Austin.
Arms is a pretty lady with a strong voice as Mau. She has her own style and has been improving in her performance and fashion style. The thing is I don’t warm up to her so much as I do to Mau or Pow.
7 . Jan Nieto chose Kailangan Kita by Ogie Alcasid
Jan’s performance was so luckluster. The ending note was so flat that he even noticed it. Despite the bad notes, Jan should still stay only because his past performances have really been great. Jan should also be more accomodating to his fans who are still strangers to him. After the show, he rans off to his family and friends which is alright I guess but he should take time to meet and greet his fans.
Who should be out?
8. Jeli Mateo - You Don’t Know Me by Ray Charles
I just can’t connect to this girl. When I saw her many weeks ago during the Top 12 male idol performance . The girls were all clapping and cheering the guys but she just stood there without moving her body. She seems cold to me and her performance have just been pure seductive glory that ’s suitable for hotel entertainment.
9. Ken Dingle - Get Here by Oleta Adams
Ken performed a notch higher than his previous songs. He was told that he had gone from bad to worse. I still believe he should be eliminated because there are better singers than him.
In this performance, I noticed a few changes with the format.
1. Most of the singers had some special musical accompaniment.
Apple Chui had the grand piano .
Jan Nieto had the violin
Miguel playing with the Grand Piano
Gian and the Cello Player
2. A dance number with the song is really out of place. It is so distracting.
Like these ballet number in Ken Dingle’s song
and jazz dancers in Pow’s number
and though Jeli didn’t have dancers, she had a couch to compliment her lounge act.
Mau had her dramatic drop of her topcoat after her acapella stint
Only Arms didn’t resort to props or additional musical instruments to spice up her singing act.
Lastly, the most surprising revelation was the change in text voting rules.
Instead of the 24 hour text voting which usually lasts till 8:30PM the next day, it will only be two hours after Ryan Agoncillo gives the go signal.
This is an excellent move, a partial solution to “massive text voting” which can prove to be very detrimental to deserving Idol finalists. Besides , this has been done by American Idol and it has worked well for them. The question is isn’t this new rule quite unfair to those that were previously eliminated? Anyway, let’s hope the truly undeserving Idol finalists get eliminated tonight.
