Idol () is a 2008 Philippine television interactive reality competition show broadcast by GMA Network. Created and developed by FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, the program is a franchise of Pop Idol created by Simon Fuller, the show is the second incarnation of Philippine Idol.
Hosted by Raymond Gutierrez, with Ogie Alcasid (singer, songwriter, and record producer), Jolina Magdangal (singer and actress), and Wyngard Tracy (retired talent manager) as judges, it premiered on April 4, 2008. The show concluded on August 17, 2008, with a total of 37 episodes.
Development ABC 5 had previously announced that they are considering producing a second season of the show. However, many reports claim that ABC management was slowly abandoning that plan. Sources claimed that ABC incurred heavy losses in the previous season, primarily because of the low number of advertisement slots despite being a widely followed show. ABC asserted that it was still under negotiation with FremantleMedia about the second season and had earmarked Asian Idol as its "big launch", although there was a possibility that GMA was negotiating about Idol as well since the network already had local versions of Celebrity Duets and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?—both FremantleMedia franchises.
After several negotiations, FremantleMedia had officially decided to move and to have the second season aired on GMA Network, which premiered on April 5, 2008. FremantleMedia's representative Geraldine Bravo said that it is "very fortunate" to find a new partner, while GMA Network's Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante added that both parties have agreed that the network "has the experience, the resources, and the people to mount talent-search programs".
Overview
Auditions Auditions for Pinoy Idol were held in the following cities: Cagayan de Oro, Batangas City, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Davao City, Pasay, Dagupan, and Angeles City. During the Pasay auditions, Ida Henares, head of the GMA Artist Center, took over Magdangal's seat in the judges' panel as the latter was in the United States at the time. Out of thousands of aspirants, 179 passed through the next round of eliminations.
Theater rounds
The 179 audition passers gathered in Manila for the theater rounds in Cinema 6 of SM City North EDSA. The first round saw the hopefuls divided into groups of 10 and they each performed their pieces in front of the judges. Ninety contestants were chosen for the second round. In the second round, the ninety aspirants formed pairs and each pair had duets to perform together; they were judged separately. Half of the ninety were virtually cut. The final forty-five each performed a song of their choice for a final time in front of the judges. Afterwards, they were divided into three groups of fifteen. One group was eliminated, bringing the number down to thirty.
In April 2008, the judges re-examined the performances of the final thirty survivors, starting from their audition pieces down to their final ones in the theater round. Then, in the GMA Network Center, the judges announced the fates of the thirty. It is from this final group that the Top 24 were chosen.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics song "Ready to Fly" by Amy Pearson was used extensively throughout the audition and theatre phases of the competition.
Semi-finalists
The 24 semi-finalists were announced on May 17, 2008. Some of their names were changed or shortened so it would be easier for viewers to remember. Their names and short biographies were also published the day after the announcement. The semifinals, or "workshop phase," began on May 23, 2008, with the Top 12 male contestants performing first and the Top 12 female contestants performing the next day. Eliminations were on a weekly basis beginning May 25, 2008, until the Top 12 was finalized.
Male semi-finalists Joselindo Pimpino Jr., also known as JJ Jr., is 17 from Bataan. He currently studies in Baguio where his parents live. He also claims to be Pinoy Pop Superstars youngest competitor at age 14. He auditioned in Dagupan. "You to Me Are Everything" (The Real Thing) "King of Wishful Thinking" (Go West) "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (Stevie Wonder) "When I Need You" (Leo Sayer) - Eliminated, June 15, 2008
Walton Zerrudo is 25 from Laguna. He considers standards as his forte and describes his son as his inspiration. He auditioned in Pasay. "She's out of My Life" (Michael Jackson) "Every Breath You Take" (The Police) "Hello" (Lionel Richie) - Eliminated, June 8, 2008
Ryan "Rye" Estrada is 28 from Iloilo. He is a band vocalist and a self-confessed Robbie Williams fan. During the theater rounds, his third performance piece was dedicated to his mother. He auditioned in Iloilo. "Your Love" (Alamid) "Babe" (Styx) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008
Sherwin Bayangan, who goes under the name of Sherwin Marquez, is 26 from Dagupan. He currently lives with his parents in Tuguegarao. He auditioned in Dagupan. "How Do You Heal a Broken Heart" (Chris Walker) "The Old Songs" (Barry Manilow) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008
Paulo Dio Maghari, also known as Dio Paolo, is 24 from Bacolod. He is a call center agent and a son of a receptionist. He has sung in concerts and has even acted in a musical. He auditioned in Iloilo. "Angels Brought Me Here" (Guy Sebastian) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008
Eleuterio "Elliot" Andal is 24 from Batangas. A son of a jeepney driver, he worked as a choral trainer and conductor and has won plums in several choral competitions. He was also a contestant on Pinoy Pop Superstar. He auditioned in Batangas. "Sana Ay Ikaw na Nga" (Basil Valdez) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008
Female semi-finalists Carol (Anne) Leus is 17 from Batangas, currently studying in the College of St. Benilde. In 2004, she joined and topped the Pop Star Search in Dubai, organized by The Filipino Channel. She auditioned in Pasay. "I Believe In You and Me" (Whitney Houston) "It Must Have Been Love" (Roxette) "The Voice Within" (Christina Aguilera) "I Turn to You" (Christina Aguilera) - Eliminated, June 15, 2008
Meryl (Consulta) David is 23 from the Bicol Region. She is the daughter of a former singer and a real estate broker whose achievement is finishing her course in nursing while singing in a band. She auditioned in Angeles. "You Mean The World To Me" (Toni Braxton) "I Feel for You" (Chaka Khan) "Killing Me Softly with His Song" (Roberta Flack) - Eliminated, June 8, 2008
Regene Ong is 20 from Quezon City. She impressed the judges by singing a wide range of songs, and is equally known for her self-made vintage dresses. She auditioned in Pasay. "Fever" (Elvis Presley) "With Or Without You" (U2) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008
Vrenilyn "Vren" Villaflor is 17 from Quezon City. A daughter of a police officer, she joined several singing tilts as a child, including Ang Batang Kampeon and Tuklas Talino. She auditioned in Pasay. "Fame" (Irene Cara) "Wind Beneath My Wings" (Bette Midler) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008
Beverly "Bev" Ejercito is 18 from Davao. She is a daughter of a company driver and is proud of graduating from high school and winning pageants. She also matches her big hair with her big voice. She auditioned in Pasay. "Crazy" (Patsy Cline) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008
Drizzle (Emerald) Muñiz is 28 from Quezon City. She is a professional songwriter who penned one of Sarah Geronimo's songs from the latter's album. She auditioned in Pasay. "My Immortal" (Evanescence) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008
Semifinals weekly song themes Week 1 (May 23 & 24): Own choice of songs Week 2 (May 30 & 31): Hit songs from year of birth Week 3 (June 6 & 7): Greatest musical influences Week 4 (June 13 & 14): Songs for fathers
Top 12 finalists After the eliminating the eleventh and twelfth semi-finalists from the competition, the Final 12 was formally announced on June 15, 2008. The finals, or "gala night" stage, started on June 21, 2008, with eliminations the next night. Like the semi-finals, eliminations during the finals are on a weekly basis for the first seven weeks.
In the eighth week, two finalists were cut from the competition in a single night to accommodate the final three finalists for the finale; that elimination took place on August 10, 2008. The finale shows took place on August 16 and August 17, 2008, at the SMX Convention Center.
Gretchen (Stephanie) Espina is 20 from Biliran. She is the daughter of Rogelio J. Espina, the governor of the said province. She is studying in the University of the Philippines, Diliman where she is a member of the internationally acclaimed University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA). During the competition, she was never in the bottom group. She auditioned in Pasay accompanied by a bodyguard.
"Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Good-bye)" (Gladys Knight & The Pips) "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Michael Jackson) "Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig?" (Jaya) "Try It On My Own" (Whitney Houston) "Respect" (Aretha Franklin) "A House Is Not a Home" (Dionne Warwick) "Follow Your Road" (Pauline Wilson) "Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang" (Regine Velasquez) "You Lift Me Up" (Jaya) "Ikaw Lang Ang Aking Mahal" (Brownman Revival) "Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan" (Basil Valdez) "I'm Here" (Fantasia Barrino) "For Your Eyes Only" (Sheena Easton; Jolina Magdangal's choice) - Winner, August 17, 2008 "Stand Up for Love" (Destiny's Child; Jaya's choice) - Winner, August 17, 2008 "Ngayon" (Basil Valdez; personal choice) - Winner, August 17, 2008 "To You" (winner's performance song) - Winner, August 17, 2008
Jay Ann "Jayann" Bautista is 21 from Pampanga. She studies in the University of the Philippines, Diliman and her parents run their own businesses. She was formerly a talent of VIVA Entertainment and had released two albums (2003: JayAnne, 2006: Call Me JayAnne) under its record label. Like Espina, she was never placed in the bottom group during the competition. She auditioned in Angeles.
"Secret" (Heart) "Kiss" (Prince) "Bleeding Love" (Leona Lewis) "I Am Changing" (Jennifer Hudson) "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin) "Whine Up" (Kat DeLuna) "Better Days" (Dianne Reeves) "Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka" (Regine Velasquez) "Laging Naroon Ka" (Jaya) "Akin Ka Na Lang" (Itchyworms) "You" (Basil Valdez) "Finally" (Fergie) "I'll Never Love This Way Again" (Dionne Warwick; Wyngard Tracy's choice) - Second place, August 17, 2008 "You'll Never Walk Alone" - (Christine Johnson; Regine Velasquez's choice) - Second place, August 17, 2008 "Proud Mary - (Creedence Clearwater Revival; personal choice) - Second place, August 17, 2008 "To You" (winner's performance song) - Second place, August 17, 2008
Ramon "Ram" Chaves III is 25 from Cagayan de Oro. He considers fatherhood as his most cherished accomplishment as his audition in Pasay coincided with his wife giving birth.
"My Hero" (Foo Fighters) "Boys Don't Cry" (The Cure) "Kung Ayaw Mo, 'Wag Mo" (Rivermaya) "My Sacrifice" (Creed) "With Arms Wide Open" (Creed) "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo" (Yano) "Yugyugan Na" (P. O. T.) "Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka" (Regine Velasquez; originally by Basil Valdez) "Honesty" (Jaya; originally by Billy Joel) "Sandalan" (6 Cycle Mind) "Ngayon at Kailanman" (Basil Valdez) "Bahay Yugyugan" (Francis Magalona) "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon & Garfunkel; Ogie Alcasid's choice) - Third place, August 17, 2008 "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith; Jaya's choice) - Third place, August 17, 2008 "Handog" (Florante; personal choice) - Third place, August 17, 2008
Daryl (Jett) Celis is 21 from Rizal. He is a son of an OFW, a bar owner in Japan. He auditioned in Pasay with his grandmother, whom he calls his lucky charm.
"Still with You" (Eric Benét) "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper) "Because of You" (Ne-Yo) "Right Here Waiting" (Richard Marx) "Superstar" (Delaney, Bonnie & Friends) "Basta't Kasama Kita" (Dingdong Avanzado)