Aside from 
Bong Austero’s analysis of the Philippine Idol voting results,Business World Weekender (November 24, 2006) reports on the Talent vs. Popularity of singing contests in the Philippines. The singing contests featured Philippine Idol and Pinoy Dream Academy. The report interviewed University of the Philippines Professor Emeritus, and former Department of Anthropology chair Prospero R. Coviar who said “these singing contest seem to choose winners base on popularity , rather than talent.” Here are some highlights of the article:
He said the choice of popularity over ability is best exemplified with how actors and celebrities could easily win in elections despite minimal governance skills. We know popularity mean ‘winnability’ in our elections.
Mr. Coviar said the voting procedure through texting leads less popular contestants to be eliminated. “It’s like pitting Cordillera and Zamboanga against each other on which province could gather enough votes to support their kababayan. …
Mr Covia said audiences could also not be blamed by favoring popular contestants over talented ones.
The audiences are not trained to determine what good singing talent is. So people would have to rely on the contestants’ looks or acting for their vote”
Mr. Coviar does not see an end to the prevalence of popularity over talent in contests such as as Philippine Idol and Pinoy Dream Academy. There is a survival element to this phenomenon. Meaning it remains functional in the context of Philippine culture and behavior. For as long as audiences do not know any better, such situations would persist”, he said
Source : Talent vs. Popularity, Business World, Weekender November 24-25 , 2006 (reported by Jeffery O. Valisno.)
I believe by now Philippine Idol audiences know whom to vote for the title, Philippine Idol. Loyal Philippine Idol fans are well-informed and can identify the talented singers in the competition but there are not that many of them yet. The Philippine Idol show has risen in popularity halfway during the competition. There are more and more Philippine Idol blogs cropping up , a sign that Philippine Idol’s popularity is getting there. Text voting is indeed a quantifiable measure of popularity although it is not perfect. In the final round of only two Philippine Idol finalists, Philippine Idol audiences need to make a stand.
In my opinion, it is a Mau-Gian finale. It could also be a Jan-Gian or Jan-Mau competition. Mau and Gian are the more talented singers even though Jan is slowly getting there even if he is still awkward with his moves.
These are the 3 possible scenarios for the Top 2 Philippine Idol Finalists
Mau-Gian Finale
Gian-Jan Finale
Mau-Jan Finale
Since the unexpected always happens, I would rather see Jan Nieto make it to the top 2 than Miguel Mendoza. I am rooting for a Mau-Gian fight. Let us show that both talent and popularity will shine in the first Philippine Idol.
Please vote wisely, fans.
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