Pinoy Dream Academy is a Philippine television program similar to Big Brother. The second season began on June 14, 2008 replacing Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus and was replaced by Kahit Isang Saglit. Nikki Gil and Toni Gonzaga reprised their roles as hosts of the show, but Gonzaga now handled the main hosting plum while Gil appeared both on the Probation Nights and Little Dreamers Gala/Expulsion Night. Billy Crawford joined this season as the host of the late afternoon edition Pinoy Dream Academy Überture.
A new logo was introduced on the second season, featuring an old-fashioned microphone and the word "Dream" using a different font than the rest of the title. Also, a new version of the theme song Awit ng Pangarap sung by first season winner Yeng Constantino was used, although the original version was also used, especially during Gala Nights.
Thirty-two potential scholars for the show were introduced with their backgrounds documented in a primer segment aired as part of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition Plus. They were also interviewed on the radio segment Pinoy Dream Academy Dream Minute on WRR 101.9. These thirty-two went through a primary elimination selection from which the final roster of scholars was chosen. These eliminations were aired as a series of episodes called The Dream BIGins from June 9 to 13, 2008.
New to this season was a "Little Dreamers" competition for children aged 6 to 10. On July 6, 2008, twelve children were chosen to become the academy's resident Little Scholars.Pinoy Dream Academy Starts in June 14, 2008 including the news of Little Dreamers from ages 6 to 10 years old In this end, a new puppet named Billilit (portmanteau of "Billy" and bulilit or kid) joins the show as semi-host and Billy's sidekick on Übertube as far as any topic regarding this side competition is concerned.
Scholars From the thirty-two potential scholars, the primary eliminations saw the number dwindle to twenty-five. From that number, the faculty re-examined the performances of the scholars to choose the final list of scholars who would enter the academy. The final roster was announced one-by-one on the Grand Opening Night on June 14, 2008. Only fifteen were chosen and entered the academy on that day; the sixteenth chosen scholar, Maria Consuelo Osorio, backed out of the competition and the slot left behind would be occupied by one of four "wait-listers" to be decided by the viewers. The "wait-lister" chosen to be the new sixteenth scholar would enter the academy the next day.
The chosen "wait-lister" was Ranjit "Jet" Singh with 51.70% of the overnight voting. The other three wait-listers Lamberto "Lambert" Reyes (currently known as David Idol), Catherine "Poy" Palma, and Hera "Banig" Redoblado got 20.16%, 17.46%, and 10.68% of the votes respectively.
Palma later entered the academy as an honorary scholar. Her assignment as the honorary scholar was to try to become a Star Scholar in the Gala Performance Nights. In each time she successfully achieved her goal and become the Star Scholar of the week, she would earn P50,000, which would be deducted from the total cash pool reserved for the Top Three Scholars at the end of the season. If she would become the Star Scholar for three weeks (not necessarily consecutive), she had the option of leaving the academy and taking home the P150,000 she would accumulate or stay on as an official scholar, therefore forfeiting her winnings. Eventually, she left the academy without becoming the Star Scholar.
From the Seventh Gala Night onwards, being a Star Scholar entailed having a duet on ASAP with a celebrity a week after. Included dates are the dates when they performed on the said program.
On the last week, three scholars with very awkward-sounding surnames were given stage names by teacher Jose Javier Reyes. Van and Laarni each had several letters of their surnames changed while Bugoy obtained his based on his mother's maiden name.
On the Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 Grand Dream Night, the Awards Night, Laarni Lozada was awarded the title Grand Star Dreamer. Bugoy Drilon was the 2nd Star Dreamer while Miguel Mendoza became the 3rd Star Dreamer. Liezel Garcia, Van Roxas and Cris Pastor were the Top 4, 5 and 6 Finalists of the academy, respectively.
Laarni Losala a. k. a. Laarni Lozada (23, working student from Sultan Kudarat)
In Your Eyes – Regine Velasquez As If We Never Said Goodbye – Barbra Streisand Fighter – Christina Aguilera Kung Ako Na Lang Sana – Bituin Escalante, duet with Iñaki (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman – Aretha Franklin Let's Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire, trio with Apple & Miguel Too Much Heaven – The Bee Gees, a cappella trio with Apple & Miguel ‘Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin – April Boy Regino, face-off with Zhel Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen On The Wings of Love – Regine Velasquez, counterpoint with Bugoy The Prayer – Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion, duet with Jed Madela I Am Blessed – Eternal Waray Waray – Lani Misalucha Manalig Ka – Laarni Losala – Winner – September 14, 2008 Boogie Wonderland – Earth Wind and Fire – Winner – September 14, 2008 Face-Off Performances And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going – Jennifer Holliday, face-off and duet with Poy ASAP Performances Hiram - Zsazsa Padilla, duet with Zsazsa Padilla – Star Scholar – August 24, 2008 Starting Over Again – Natalie Cole, duet with Sheryn Regis – Top 3 Scholar – August 31, 2008
Jay Drilon Bogayan a. k. a. Bugoy Drilon (19, canteen janitor and farm hand from Camarines Sur)
You'll Never Walk Alone – Frank Sinatra Can't Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli Forevermore – Side A If I Ain't Got You – Alicia Keys, duet with Zhel I'll Make Love To You – Boyz II Men Yesterday – The Beatles, a cappella trio with Sen & Van Tearin' Up My Heart – *NSYNC, trio with Sen & Van Nakapagtataka – Sponge Cola, face-off with Apple As – George Michael & Mary J. Blige Back At One – Brian McKnight, counterpoint with Laarni Muli – Gary Valenciano & Regine Velasquez, duet with Vina Morales Can't Stop A River – Guy Sebastian All I Need Is You – Guy Sebastian Climb Ev'ry Mountain – The Sound of Music – 1st Runner-up – September 14, 2008 Ligaya - The Eraserheads – 1st Runner-up – September 14, 2008 Face-Off Performances Magkasuyo Buong Gabi – Janno Gibbs & Regine Velasquez, face-off and duet with Poy ASAP Performances No Air – Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, duet with Yeng Constantino – Star Scholar – August 17, 2008 'Di Bale na Lang – Gary Valenciano, duet with Gary Valenciano – Top 3 Scholar – August 31, 2008
Miguel Mendoza (19, former Philippine Idol finalist from Muntinlupa)
A House Is Not A Home – Luther Vandross Farewell – Raymond Lauchengco Hahanapin Ko – Anthony Castelo Araw-Gabi – Regine Velasquez, duet with Bea You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' – The Righteous Brothers Let's Groove – Earth, Wind & Fire, trio with Laarni & Apple Too Much Heaven – The Bee Gees, a cappella trio with Laarni & Apple When Doves Cry – Prince, face-off with Iñaki What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? – Sarah Vaughan Stay Awake – Ronnie Laws, counterpoint with Zhel Never Ever Say Goodbye – Nonoy Zuñiga, duet with Sheryn Regis Sandra – Barry Manilow Rock DJ – Robbie Williams Love Is On The Way – Celine Dion – 2nd Runner-up – September 14, 2008 Man In The Mirror – Michael Jackson – 2nd Runner-up – September 14, 2008 ASAP Performance Himala – Rivermaya, with Yeng Constantino, Cris and Van – Finalist – September 7, 2008
Maria Liezel "Zhel" Garcia (23, OFW from Dubai, United Arab Emirates)
Dance With My Father – Luther Vandross Count On Me – Whitney Houston So Much In Love – Sheena Easton If I Ain't Got You – Alicia Keys, duet with Bugoy Sa Aking Pag-iisa – Regine Velasquez Stop – Spice Girls, trio with Bunny & Cris The Tide Is High – Atomic Kitten, a cappella trio with Bunny & Cris Listen – Beyoncé, face-off with Laarni Best Of My Love – The Emotions Sometimes A Love Goes Wrong – Carrie Lucas, counterpoint with Miguel Tell Me – Joey Albert, duet with Joey Generoso (of Side A) Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) – Celine Dion Don't Stop The Music – Rihanna I Am Changing - Jennifer Holliday – Top 4 Finalist – September 14, 2008 Respect – Aretha Franklin – Top 4 Finalist – September 14, 2008 Face-Off Performances Got to be Real – Cheryl Lynn, face-off and duet with Poy ASAP Performances Paano Kita Iibigin? – Regine Velasquez & Piolo Pascual, duet with Piolo Pascual – Star Scholar – August 10, 2008 I Don't Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith, duet with Nina – Top 3 Scholar – August 31, 2008
Van Louelle Pojas a. k. a. Van Roxas (18, Physical Therapy student and band vocalist from Cebu)
Can't Fight This Feeling – REO Speedwagon Next In Line – Wency Cornejo Turn Back the Clock – Johnny Hates Jazz Nobody Wants to Be Lonely – Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera, duet with Apple Bed Of Roses – Bon Jovi Yesterday – The Beatles, a cappella trio with Sen & Bugoy Tearin' Up My Heart – *NSYNC, trio with Sen & Bugoy Through The Fire – Chaka Khan, face-off with Sen Tatsulok – Bamboo Maybe – Peabo Bryson, counterpoint with Poy Bulong – Kitchie Nadal, duet with Kitchie Nadal Who Am I? – Casting Crowns True to Your Heart – 98 Degrees & Stevie Wonder Hard Habit to Break – Chicago – Top 5 Finalist – September 14, 2008 Probinsyana – Bamboo – Top 5 Finalist – September 14, 2008 ASAP Performance Himala – Rivermaya, with Yeng Constantino, Cris and Miguel – Finalist – September 7, 2008
Cristina "Cris" Pastor (21, interior designer from Parañaque)
Papa Oom Mow Mow – The Beach Boys Come Together – The Beatles These Dreams – Heart Burn – Tina Arena, duet with Hansen Bleeding Love – Leona Lewis Stop – Spice Girls, trio with Bunny & Zhel The Tide Is High – Atomic Kitten, a cappella trio with Bunny & Zhel It's Raining Men – Geri Halliwell, face-off with Bunny Tattoo – Jordin Sparks Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita – Roselle Nava, counterpoint with Iñaki Kissing A Fool – George Michael, duet with Richard Poon Inseparable – Natalie Cole Sway – Pussycat Dolls Candyman – Christina Aguilera – Top 6 Finalist – September 14, 2008 Out Here On My Own – Irene Cara – Top 6 Finalist – September 14, 2008 ASAP Performance Himala – Rivermaya, with Yeng Constantino, Miguel and Van – Finalist – September 7, 2008
Hansen "Sen" Nichols (24, thyroid cancer survivor from Taguig City)
Kailangan Kita – Piolo Pascual I Believe I Can Fly – R. Kelly Escape – Enrique Iglesias Burn – Tina Arena, duet with Cris My Chérie Amour – Stevie Wonder Yesterday – The Beatles, a cappella trio with Bugoy & Van Tearin' Up My Heart – *NSYNC, trio with Bugoy & Van Bailamos – Enrique Iglesias, face-off with Van Hold On – Side A Say That You Love Me – Martin Nievera, counterpoint with Bunny Can We Just Stop and Talk a While? – Kyla feat. Gary Valenciano, duet with Rachel Alejandro His Eye Is on the Sparrow – Lauryn Hill – Expelled – August 30, 2008
Rafael Ignacio "Iñaki" Salvador-Ting (18, stage performer from Pasig)
Close To You – The Carpenters Superstar – The Carpenters Time After Time – Cyndi Lauper Kung Ako Na Lang Sana – Bituin Escalante, duet with Laarni Kiss – Prince and The Revolution To Where You Are – Josh Groban Panalangin – APO Hiking Society, duet with Christian I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That) – Meat Loaf, face-off with Miguel Spain – Al Jarreau Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin – Jeremiah, counterpoint with Cris Proud Mary – Creedence Clearwater Revival, duet with Bituin Escalante – Expelled – August 23, 2008
Catherine "Poy" Palma (22, Registered Nurse from Zamboanga City; Academy Honorary Scholar)
I Don't Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith Free Your Mind – En Vogue A Piece Of Sky – Barbra Streisand Forever's Not Enough – Sarah Geronimo, counterpoint with Van Livin' on a Prayer – Bon Jovi, duet with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers –Exited – August 23, 2008 Face-Off Performances