Philippine Idol finalists
Encyclopedia
The Philippine Idol Finalists consisted of 12 aspiring singers who competed for Philippine Idol
. They were selected after several stages of audition and theater eliminations, and succeeded in earning a spot in the Finals by popular votes from the viewers.
The Final Round started on September 30, 2006, wherein each finalist sang one to three songs under a specified theme and received comments from each of the judges. The viewers voted for their favorites by dialing a toll-free telephone number
or sending an SMS
as many times as possible until 8:30 p.m. the following day, which was shortened to two hours on Finals Week 5. One finalist was eliminated during the Results Show every week. However, there were special circumstances wherein there were no eliminations during the a Results Show, but would eventually eliminate two finalists on the following week.
The 12 Finalists also recorded a compilation album entitled Philippine Idol: The Final 12, consisting of OPM songs they have performed during the first Finals Week.
The remaining 3 contenders—namely Gian Magdangal
, Jan Nieto
, and Mau Marcelo
(in order of performance)--battled it out at the Finale, instead of the usual 2 contestants in most Idol shows, held on December 10, 2006, at the Araneta Coliseum
in Quezon City
.
, from Lucena City
, Quezon Province
. A "veteran" in amateur singing competitions, she sang "Dahil Naroon Ka" (You Were Always There) by Jaya during the Luzon Main Auditions. She was dubbed as the "Soul
Diva" during the competition, and won the title on December 10, 2006
Jan Kurt Anthony Nieto
, from Antipolo City
, Rizal Province
. A former Customer Marketing Manager for Unilever
Philippines, he sang "Limang Dipang Tao" (A Five-Dipa-Long Queue
of People)--a composition of Cayabyab—during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was dubbed as the "Hunky Idol" during the competition, and was one of two runners-up as announced on December 10.
Giancarlo "Gian" Magdangal
, from Parañaque City
, Metro Manila
. A former boy band
member and musical theatre
actor, he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét
during the Visayas Main Auditions. He was dubbed as the "Livewire Idol" during the competition, and was the other runner-up as announced on December 10.
Miguel Mendoza III, from Muntinlupa City
, Metro Manila. A senior high school student of De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School
who tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions, he was the youngest finalist in the competition and was fondly called as "Bunso" (Youngest Child) by his fellow finalists. He was eliminated on November 27. He was declared third runner up in Pinoy Dream Academy 2 on September 14, 2008.
Paula Patricia "Pow" Chavez, from Quezon City
, Metro Manila. An openly-lesbian
band singer, she was mistaken as a boy during the Luzon Main Auditions singing "I Want You Back" by Jackson 5. She was dubbed as the "Power Idol" during the competition, and was eliminated on November 20.
Kenneth "Ken" Dingle, from Baguio City
, Benguet Province
. A former boy band member and hotel
receptionist
in Australia
, he tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on November 13.
Cherry Anne "Apple" Chiu, from Carmona
, Cavite. An interior designer by profession, she rendered an unusual R&B version of the novelty song
"Ispageti Song" by SexBomb Girls
during the Luzon Main Auditions. She was eliminated on November 6.
Armarie Lourdes "Arms" Cruz
, from Zamboanga City
. A band vocalist and daughter of late character actor Mohamad Faezal, she sang "Hiram" (Borrowed Time) by Zsa Zsa Padilla
during the Mindanao Main Auditions. She was the only finalist from outside of Luzon, and was eliminated on October 30.
Jellica Marie "Jelli" Mateo, from Pasig City
, Metro Manila. A lounge singer/ model/ events host by profession, she wooed Idol judge Magalona with her rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me
" by Ray Charles
during the Luzon Main Audition. She was eliminated on October 30, along with Cruz.
Reymond Sajor, from Lucena City, Quezon Province. A singer and theatre actor, he was the Grand Champion of Hamilton Talent Hunt in Ontario
, Canada
, who delivered "This is the Moment" from the musical Jekyll & Hyde
during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on October 15.
Paul Andrae Wilde "Drae" Ybañez, from Quezon City, Metro Manila. A charity
volunteer by profession, he tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on October 8.
Stephanie "Stef" Lazaro Bainbridgge, from Gold Coast
, Australia
. A singer by profession, she tried out in Australian Idol
, but only reached the Theater Eliminations. She returned to the Philippines to try out during the Visayas Main Auditions of Philippine Idol. She was eliminated on October 8, along with Ybañez.
that was held on March 23, 2007 in Araneta Coliseum. Reports said that major sections of the venue were not filled and the concert experienced major sound glitches from faulty microphone
s that shadowed their laudable performances.
Marcelo still remains as the finalist with a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines with the release of her new album entitled On My Own, derived from its carrier track "Try It on My Own
". Weeks after her winning (on December 20, 2006), Marcelo performed in Malacañang Palace for the Christmas party of Office of the President.
Marcelo has also released her first post-Idol full-length album entitled I Shine for You. A remixed version of "I Shine for You" is used as a theme song for local television show Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge, which is being shown on ABC.
On the other hand, runner-up Magdangal signed a non-exclusive contract to GMA Network a month after Philippine Idol and is a regular on Sunday noontime variety show SOP Rules, which he confirmed in his Yahoo! Group
. However, it has been noticeable that he is not mentioning "Philippine Idol" in his appearances on GMA Network. He also won Best Performance by a New Male Artist at the 20th Awit Awards on August 2007 for his song "Himala" that was part of Philippine Idol: The Final 12 Album.
Meanwhile, fellow runner-up Nieto has since resigned from his high-paying job at Unilever
Philippines to fully pursue his singing career. Nine months after Idol, he signed a contract with GMA Network and was introduced in SOP on October 2007 as its newest "Kapuso".
Nieto and Mendoza also appeared on the ABS-CBN variety show ASAP '07
alongside Piolo Pascual
, Sam Milby
, Jay-R Siaboc, and Ronnie Liang. Moreover, Nieto was also interviewed in TV Patrol World
about his appearance on the show. Along with Mateo, Nieto also sang a food condiment jingle that was rearranged by Cayabyab.
Mateo is a co-host in Pilipinas Ngayon Na!, an infotainment program in state-owned National Broadcasting Network
. She also briefly appeared in ABS-CBN's noontime show Wowowee
as one of its co-hosts.
Meanwhile, Drae Ybañez was featured in the February 6, 2007 edition of the ABS-CBN late evening news program Bandila
. Philippine Idol was not explicitly mentioned in the report; rather, it focused on his charity work. He announced during a performance in De La Salle Philippines'
grand reunion that he is taking up Music Production in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
.
Reymond Sajor won in the Senior Vocalist category in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2007
, which was held in Los Angeles
, USA. Sajor is also recording his debut album with musical direction by Gerard Salonga
.
Armarie Cruz, Ken Dingle, and Apple Chiu formed "AKA", a singing group that performs in Metro Manila's bar and hotel circuits. It was formed by a former Idol writer, with former Mulatto band member Jun Lacanieta as the group's musical director. The group also admits that all the 12 finalists support each other even after the competition.
Pow Chavez announced in her Multiply site that she returned to her band "Joint" and continued to perform around Metro Manila bars.
Miguel Mendoza auditioned for the second season
of Pinoy Dream Academy
. He passed through the elimination rounds and was eventually chosen as one of its finalists. Coincidentally, Cayabyab is now that program's Headmaster.
Apple Chiu is currently one of the singers in the ABS-CBN show, The Singing Bee
.
Mateo and Lazaro competed in Malaysia as a group called 3.5 in a show called Gangstarz.
Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol was the first franchise of Idol series in the Philippines, the 35th country in the world to air a national Idol franchise and the sixth in Asia. The franchise was first awarded by FremantleMedia, 19 Entertainment and CKX, Inc. to Associated Broadcasting Company in 2006 and then to...
. They were selected after several stages of audition and theater eliminations, and succeeded in earning a spot in the Finals by popular votes from the viewers.
The Final Round started on September 30, 2006, wherein each finalist sang one to three songs under a specified theme and received comments from each of the judges. The viewers voted for their favorites by dialing a toll-free telephone number
Toll-free telephone number
A toll-free, Freecall, Freephone, 800, 0800 or 1-800 number is a special telephone number which is free to the calling party, and instead the telephone carrier charges the called party the cost of the call...
or sending an SMS
Short message service
Short Message Service is a text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobile communication systems, using standardized communications protocols that allow the exchange of short text messages between fixed line or mobile phone devices...
as many times as possible until 8:30 p.m. the following day, which was shortened to two hours on Finals Week 5. One finalist was eliminated during the Results Show every week. However, there were special circumstances wherein there were no eliminations during the a Results Show, but would eventually eliminate two finalists on the following week.
The 12 Finalists also recorded a compilation album entitled Philippine Idol: The Final 12, consisting of OPM songs they have performed during the first Finals Week.
The remaining 3 contenders—namely Gian Magdangal
Gian Magdangal
Giancarlo "Gian" Alzate Magdangal , is a Filipino singer, performer, and theater actor currently signed to GMA Network. A former boy band member of 17:28, he rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol in 2006...
, Jan Nieto
Jan Nieto
Jan Kurt Anthony Pasion Nieto, popularly known as Jan Nieto , is a Filipino male singer who rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol in 2006. With the height of 5' 10½" and weighing 165 pounds , he was dubbed as the "Hunky Idol" during the competition...
, and Mau Marcelo
Mau Marcelo
Maureen "Mau" Flores Marcelo is a Filipina Puertorican R&B soul singer who rose to prominence as the first winner of Philippine Idol in 2006. She was dubbed as the "Soul Idol" and "The Black Belter" at the competition for her R&B-style vocals...
(in order of performance)--battled it out at the Finale, instead of the usual 2 contestants in most Idol shows, held on December 10, 2006, at the Araneta Coliseum
Araneta Coliseum
The Smart Araneta Coliseum, known as The Big Dome is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in the Cubao area of Quezon City, Philippines...
in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
.
Finalists
Maureen "Mau" MarceloMau Marcelo
Maureen "Mau" Flores Marcelo is a Filipina Puertorican R&B soul singer who rose to prominence as the first winner of Philippine Idol in 2006. She was dubbed as the "Soul Idol" and "The Black Belter" at the competition for her R&B-style vocals...
, from Lucena City
Lucena City
Metro Lucena has an estimated population of 700,000 which is mostly concentrated in the flat south-central portion of Quezon, which includes the cities of Lucena and Tayabas, Sariaya, Candelaria, Lucban & Pagbilao . The people are often characterized as friendly and hardworking...
, Quezon Province
Quezon
-History:Originally, what now forms Quezon was divided among the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Nueva Ecija. The area was first explored by Juan de Salcedo in 1571-1572, during his expedition from Laguna to Camarines provinces....
. A "veteran" in amateur singing competitions, she sang "Dahil Naroon Ka" (You Were Always There) by Jaya during the Luzon Main Auditions. She was dubbed as the "Soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
Diva" during the competition, and won the title on December 10, 2006
- Semi-finals: "Sweet LoveSweet Love"Sweet Love" is the title of a popular song from 1986 by R&B singer Anita Baker. It was the second single from her critically acclaimed album, Rapture, Baker's second studio album.-Chart performance:...
" (Anita BakerAnita BakerAnita Baker is an American R&B/soul jazz singer-songwriter. To date, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards, and has four platinum albums and two gold albums to her credit....
) - Wildcards: "'Til My Heartaches End" (Ella May SaisonElla May SaisonElla May Saison is a Filipino singer. She is acknowledged as the original Queen of Soul of the Philippines.-Biography:...
) - Qualified for Finals, September 17 - Finals week 1: "Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin" (Ariel RiveraAriel RiveraJose Ariel Jimenez Rivera was born on September 1, 1966 in Manila, Philippines but has since migrated with his family to Canada. Rivera was an architect in Canada before his singing talent was accidentally discovered while vacationing in the Philippines. He has since become a successful...
/Regine VelasquezRegine VelasquezRegina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez , better known as Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer and TV host...
) - Hot Spot, October 1 - Finals week 2: "Crazy in Love" (Beyoncé)
- Finals week 3: "Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi" (Dulce) - Bottom 3, October 15
- Finals week 4: "So Slow" (Freestyle)
- Finals week 5: "I Will Always Love YouI Will Always Love You"I Will Always Love You" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973, who first released the song as a single in 1974.-Dolly Parton version:...
" (Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
) - Finals week 6: "Shy Guy" (Diana KingDiana KingDiana King is a reggae fusion singer-songwriter who specifically performed a mixture and fusion of R&B, reggae, pop and dancehall...
) - Finals week 7: "Mahal Naman Kita" (Jamie RiveraJamie RiveraJamie Rivera is a pop singer from the Philippines. She was born Mary Jane C. Mendoza on August 29. She graduated from University of Santo Tomas.-Singles:*Heal Our Land...
) - Bottom 3, November 13 - Finals week 8: "Diamonds Are Forever" (Shirley BasseyShirley BasseyDame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"...
, from Diamonds Are ForeverDiamonds Are Forever (film)Diamonds Are Forever is the seventh spy film in the Eon Productions James Bond series, and the sixth and final Eon Productions film to star Sean Connery as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond. The film is based on Ian Fleming's 1956 novel of the same name, and is the second of four James Bond films...
) - Finals week 8: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not GoingAnd I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" is a torch song from the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, with lyrics by Tom Eyen and music by Henry Krieger...
" (Jennifer HollidayJennifer HollidayJennifer-Yvette Holliday is an African-American singer and Tony Award-winning actress. She started her career on Broadway in musicals such as Dreamgirls, and later became a successful recording artist...
, from Dreamgirls) - Finals week 9: "My Funny ValentineMy Funny Valentine"My Funny Valentine" is a show tune from the 1937 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart musical Babes in Arms in which it was introduced by former child star Mitzi Green...
" (Diane Reeves) - Finals week 9: "Waray Waray" (Eartha KittEartha KittEartha Mae Kitt was an American singer, actress, and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit recordings of "C'est Si Bon" and the enduring Christmas novelty smash "Santa Baby." Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the...
) - Hot Spot, November 27 - Finals week 11: "Love Takes TimeLove Takes Time"Love Takes Time" is a song written by Mariah Carey and Ben Margulies, and produced by Walter Afanasieff for Carey's debut album, Mariah Carey . It was released as the album's second single in the third quarter of 1990...
" (Mariah CareyMariah CareyMariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
) - Finals week 11: "Balut" (New Minstrels)
- Finals week 11: "Try It on My OwnTry It on My Own"Try It on My Own" is a 2003 single released by American R&B/pop singer Whitney Houston. The song is about overcoming doubts or fears so a person can reach the point in their life where they can "try it on their own"...
" (Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
) - Winner, December 10
Jan Kurt Anthony Nieto
Jan Nieto
Jan Kurt Anthony Pasion Nieto, popularly known as Jan Nieto , is a Filipino male singer who rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol in 2006. With the height of 5' 10½" and weighing 165 pounds , he was dubbed as the "Hunky Idol" during the competition...
, from Antipolo City
Antipolo City
Antipolo is a city in the Philippines located in the province of Rizal; about 25 kilometers east of Manila. It is the largest city in the Calabarzon Region in terms of population...
, Rizal Province
Rizal
Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...
. A former Customer Marketing Manager for Unilever
Unilever
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational corporation that owns many of the world's consumer product brands in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products....
Philippines, he sang "Limang Dipang Tao" (A Five-Dipa-Long Queue
Queue area
Queue areas are places in which people queue for goods or services. Examples include checking out groceries or other goods that have been collected in a self service shop, in a shop without self service, at an ATM, at a ticket desk, a city bus, or in a taxi stand.Queueing is a phenomenon in a...
of People)--a composition of Cayabyab—during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was dubbed as the "Hunky Idol" during the competition, and was one of two runners-up as announced on December 10.
- Semi-finals: "Bridge Over Troubled WaterBridge over Troubled Water (song)"Bridge Over Troubled Water" is the title song of Simon & Garfunkel's album of the same name. The single was released on January 26, 1970, though it also appears on the live album Live 1969, released in 2008. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on February 28, 1970, and stayed at...
" (Simon and GarfunkelSimon and GarfunkelSimon & Garfunkel are an American duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They formed the group Tom & Jerry in 1957 and had their first success with the minor hit "Hey, Schoolgirl". As Simon & Garfunkel, the duo rose to fame in 1965, largely on the strength of the...
) - Qualified for Finals, September 3 - Finals week 1: "Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka" (Basil ValdezBasil ValdezBasil Valdez is a Filipino balladeer.He has received several Tinig Awards and the 1991 Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University-Biography:...
) - Finals week 2: "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" (The SpinnersThe Spinners (U.S. band)The Spinners is a soul music vocal group, active for over 50 years, and with a long run of pop and R&B hits especially during the 1970s. The group, originating from Detroit, still tours regularly ....
) - Finals week 3: "Umagang Kay Ganda" (New Minstrels)
- Finals week 4: "Tuloy Pa Rin" (NeocoloursNeocoloursNeocolours was formed 1988, out of the remnants of a mid 1980s vocal group, in Manila, Philippines. Founding members were: Jimmy Antiporda , Ito Rapadas , Marvin Querido , Josel Jimenez , Paku Herrera and Nino Regalado . At that time the pop music genre in the Philippines was dominated by solo...
) - Finals week 5: "Kailangan Kita" (Ogie AlcasidOgie AlcasidHerminio Jhay Alcasid, Jr., more popularly known as Ogie "Eric Ordoñez" Alcasid , is a Filipino singer, songwriter, composer, television presenter, comedian, parodist, actor, and entrepreneur.-Recording career:...
) - Finals week 6: "Livin' la Vida LocaLivin' la Vida Loca"Livin' la Vida Loca" is a song by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin. It was released on March 23, 1999 from Martin's self-titled debut English album. The song was composed by Desmond Child and Draco Rosa and topped the charts during 1999...
" (Ricky MartinRicky MartinEnrique "Ricky" Martín Morales , better known as Ricky Martin, is a Puerto Rican and Spanish pop singer and actor who achieved prominence, first as a member of the Latin boy band Menudo, then as a solo artist since 1991.During his career he has sold more than 60 million album copies worldwide...
) - Finals week 7: "You Are My Song" (Martin NieveraMartin NieveraMartin Ramon Razon Nievera is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the main hosts of musical variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN-Early life:...
) - Bottom 3, November 13 - Finals week 8: "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?" (Ogie AlcasidOgie AlcasidHerminio Jhay Alcasid, Jr., more popularly known as Ogie "Eric Ordoñez" Alcasid , is a Filipino singer, songwriter, composer, television presenter, comedian, parodist, actor, and entrepreneur.-Recording career:...
, from Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?) - Finals week 8: "Corner of the Sky" (John RubinsteinJohn RubinsteinJohn Arthur Rubinstein is an American film, Broadway, and television actor, a composer of film and theatre music, and a director in theatre and television.-Early life:...
/Paul JonesPaul Jones (singer)Paul Jones is an English singer, actor, harmonica player, and radio personality and television presenter.-Career:As P. P...
, from PippinPippin (musical)Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto...
) - Bottom 3, November 20 - Finals week 9: "Beyond the SeaBeyond the Sea (song)"Beyond the Sea" is a 1946 contemporary pop song with music taken from the song "La Mer" by Charles Trenet and lyrics by Jack Lawrence.Trenet had composed "La Mer" with French lyrics totally different and unrelated to the English language version that Lawrence composed...
" (Bobby DarinBobby DarinBobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country...
) - Finals week 9: "The Way You Look TonightThe Way You Look Tonight"The Way You Look Tonight" is a song featured in the film Swing Time, originally performed by Fred Astaire. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1936. The song was sung to Ginger Rogers as Penelope "Penny" Carroll by Astaire's character of John "Lucky" Garnett while Penny was busy...
" (Frank SinatraFrank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
) - Hot Spot, November 27 - Finals week 11: "Say That You Love Me" (Martin NieveraMartin NieveraMartin Ramon Razon Nievera is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the main hosts of musical variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN-Early life:...
) - Finals week 11: "Quien Sera (Sway)Sway (song)"Sway" is the English version of "¿Quién será?", a 1953 mambo song by Mexican composer and bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. The most famous version is that of Dean Martin recorded in 1954. English lyrics are by Norman Gimbel...
" (Michael BubléMichael BubléMichael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
) - Finals week 11: "EvergreenEvergreen (Westlife song)"Evergreen" is a pop song, co-written by Jörgen Elofsson, Per Magnusson and David Kreuger, and originally recorded by Westlife. The song appears on their album World of Our Own, and was released as a single, only in the Philippines, where it reached number 3 due to the insistent demand of their fans...
" (WestlifeWestlifeWestlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
) - Runner-up, December 10
Giancarlo "Gian" Magdangal
Gian Magdangal
Giancarlo "Gian" Alzate Magdangal , is a Filipino singer, performer, and theater actor currently signed to GMA Network. A former boy band member of 17:28, he rose to prominence as one of the runners-up of Philippine Idol in 2006...
, from Parañaque City
Parañaque City
The City of Parañaque , or simply Parañaque , is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines....
, Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
. A former boy band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
member and musical theatre
Musical theatre
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...
actor, he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét
Eric Benét
Eric Benét, is an American singer. His duet with Tamia, "Spend My Life With You" was a number one song for three weeks on the US Billboard R&B chart and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000....
during the Visayas Main Auditions. He was dubbed as the "Livewire Idol" during the competition, and was the other runner-up as announced on December 10.
- Semi-finals: "FootlooseFootloose (song)"Footloose" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. It was released in January 1984 as the first of two single by Loggins from the 1984 film of the same name. The song spent three weeks at number one, March 31—April 14, 1984 on the U.S. Billboard...
" (Kenny LogginsKenny LogginsDuring the next decade, Loggins recorded so many successful songs for film soundtracks that he was referred to as, King of the Movie Soundtrack.He began with "I'm Alright" , "Mr. Night", and "Lead the Way" from Caddyshack...
) - Wildcards: "Lately" (Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 17 - Finals week 1: "Himala" (RivermayaRivermayaRivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...
) - Finals week 2: "I Got You (I Feel Good)I Got You (I Feel Good)"I Got You " is a hit song by James Brown. Released as a single in 1965, it was one of Brown's signature songs, and is arguably his most widely-known recording.-Description:...
" (James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
) - Bottom 4, October 8 - Finals week 3: "Give Me a Chance" (Ric SegretoRic SegretoRic Segreto born Richard Vincent Segreto Macaraeg, was a Filipino Italian-American recording artist, singer-songwriter, actor, teacher, journalist and historian who became popular in the Philippines.-Early life:...
) - Bottom 3, October 15 - Finals week 4: "Pare Ko"? My Buddy (The EraserheadsThe EraserheadsEraserheads, or E-Heads was a Filipino rock band of the 90s, formed by Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro. The band is one of the most successful, critically acclaimed, and significant bands in the history of OPM...
) - Finals week 5: "Superstar" (Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
) - Finals week 6: "Rock DJRock DJ (song)"Rock DJ" is a song by English pop singer Robbie Williams from his fourth album, Sing When You're Winning released in the summer of 2000. The song heavily musically samples Barry White's 1977 song "It's Ecstasy When You Lay Down Next to Me" and also contains a sample of "Can I Kick It?" by A Tribe...
" (Robbie WilliamsRobbie WilliamsRobert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
) - Finals week 7: "Bakit Pa Ba?" (Jay-RJay-RGaudencio Sillona III , who performs under the mononym Jay R, is a Filipino singer-songwriter, actor, record producer and model. In 2003, he released his debut album, Gameface, under Universal Records...
) - Finals week 8: "Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga" (Basil ValdezBasil ValdezBasil Valdez is a Filipino balladeer.He has received several Tinig Awards and the 1991 Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University-Biography:...
, from Eto Na Naman) - Finals week 8: "Greased Lightning" (John TravoltaJohn TravoltaJohn Joseph Travolta is an American actor, dancer and singer. Travolta first became known in the 1970s, after appearing on the television series Welcome Back, Kotter and starring in the box office successes Saturday Night Fever and Grease...
, from GreaseGrease (musical)Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
) - Finals week 9: "They Can't Take That Away From MeThey Can't Take That Away from Me"They Can't Take That Away from Me" is a 1937 song written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and introduced by Fred Astaire in the 1937 film Shall We Dance....
" (Fred AstaireFred AstaireFred Astaire was an American film and Broadway stage dancer, choreographer, singer and actor. His stage and subsequent film career spanned a total of 76 years, during which he made 31 musical films. He was named the fifth Greatest Male Star of All Time by the American Film Institute...
) - Finals week 9: "The Very Thought of YouThe Very Thought of You"The Very Thought of You" is a pop standard published in 1934, with music and lyrics by Ray Noble. In addition to Noble's own hit recording of the song with his orchestra, featuring the vocals of Al Bowlly, there was also a popular version recorded that same year by Bing Crosby. A decade later, the...
" (Nat King ColeNat King ColeNathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
) - Finals week 11: "The Impossible Dream" (Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
) - Finals week 11: "VolareVolare (song)"Nel blu dipinto di blu" , popularly known as "Volare" , is Domenico Modugno's signature song....
" (Gypsy Kings) - Finals week 11: "Flying Without WingsFlying Without Wings"Flying Without Wings" is a song released by Irish boyband Westlife from their self-titled debut album.-Background:The song became an instant hit in the United Kingdom and many parts of the world. The song became the group's third UK number 1 single, spending 13 weeks on charts. It is also one of...
" (WestlifeWestlifeWestlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...
) - Runner-up, December 10
Miguel Mendoza III, from Muntinlupa City
Muntinlupa City
The City of Muntinlupa is the southernmost city in Philippine National Capital Region. It is bordered on the north by Taguig City; to the northwest by Parañaque City; by Las Piñas City to the west; to the southwest by the city of Bacoor, Cavite; by the city of San Pedro, Laguna; and by Laguna de...
, Metro Manila. A senior high school student of De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School
De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School
The De La Salle–Santiago Zobel School is a Catholic institution for boys and girls located in Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila, the Philippines...
who tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions, he was the youngest finalist in the competition and was fondly called as "Bunso" (Youngest Child) by his fellow finalists. He was eliminated on November 27. He was declared third runner up in Pinoy Dream Academy 2 on September 14, 2008.
- Semi-finals: "Highways of My Life" (The Isley BrothersThe Isley BrothersThe Isley Brothers are a highly influential, successful and long-running American music group consisting of different line-ups of six brothers, and a brother-in-law, Chris Jasper...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 3 - Finals week 1: "Next in Line" (After ImageAfterimage (band)Afterimage was a Filipino Alternative Rock / pop rock band who was active in the 1990s. The group disbanded after 11 years and made three studio albums. After disbanding, Wency Cornejo, the band vocalist, pursued a solo career...
) - Finals week 2: "Let's Stay TogetherLet's Stay Together (song)"Let's Stay Together" is a song by Al Green on his 1972 album of the same name. Released as a single in 1971, the song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and remained on the chart for 16 weeks and also topped Billboards R&B chart for nine weeks. It was ranked the 60th greatest song of all time...
" (Al GreenAl GreenAlbert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
) - Finals week 3: "Swerte-Swerte Lang" (Joel Navarro)
- Finals week 4: "Harana" (Parokya ni EdgarParokya ni EdgarParokya ni Edgar is a Filipino band that was formed in 1993 by a group of college students. The band is famous and most lauded for its original rock novelty songs and often satirical covers of popular songs...
) - Finals week 5: "Sandra" (Barry ManilowBarry ManilowBarry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
) - Finals week 6: "Make It With You" (The PasadenasThe PasadenasThe Pasadenas were a R&B / pop group from the United Kingdom, best known for their hit songs, "Tribute " and "I'm Doing Fine Now".-Career:...
) - Finals week 7: "Hanggang" (Wency Cornejo)
- Finals week 8: "Growing Up" (Gary ValencianoGary ValencianoEdgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
, from Bagets) - Finals week 8: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" (Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
, from The Lion KingThe Lion King (musical)The Lion King is a musical based on the 1994 Disney animated film of the same name with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice along with the musical score created by Hans Zimmer with choral arrangements by Lebo M. Directed by Julie Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well...
) - Bottom 3, November 20 - Finals week 9: "True" (Spandau BalletSpandau BalletSpandau Ballet are a British band formed in London in the late 1970s. Initially inspired by, and an integral part of, the New Romantic fashion, their music has featured a mixture of funk, jazz, soul and synthpop. They were one of the most successful bands of the 1980s, achieving ten Top Ten singles...
) - Finals week 9: "I've Got You Under My SkinI've Got You Under My Skin (song)"I've Got You Under My Skin" is a song written by Cole Porter. It became a signature song for Frank Sinatra and, in 1966, became a top 10 hit for The Four Seasons...
" (Frank SinatraFrank SinatraFrancis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
) — Eliminated, November 27
Paula Patricia "Pow" Chavez, from Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, Metro Manila. An openly-lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
band singer, she was mistaken as a boy during the Luzon Main Auditions singing "I Want You Back" by Jackson 5. She was dubbed as the "Power Idol" during the competition, and was eliminated on November 20.
- Semi-finals: "Ikaw Lamang" (Janno GibbsJanno GibbsJanno Ronaldo Gibbs is a Filipino singer and actor–comedian. He is a regular host of GMA Network television shows SOP Rules , Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga, Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?, and Power of 10 . He played as Geron Agular in Codename: Asero...
/Zsa Zsa PadillaZsa Zsa PadillaZsa Zsa Padilla is a Filipina singer and actress. She is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actresses.-Biography:Padilla was born as Esperanza Padilla in 1964, the daughter of actor and sportsman Carlos “Sonny” Padilla, Jr. who served as the referee in the Ali-Frazier world heavyweight boxing...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 10 - Finals week 1: "Nakapagtataka" (Hajji AlejandroHajji AlejandroAngelito Toledo "Hajji" Alejandro is a Filipino singer and actor, who was a major pop star in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the father of singer Rachel Alejandro, and Delara drummer Ali Alejandro...
/Rachel AlejandroRachel Alejandro-Early life:Rachel's mother and father separated when she was 4. Her mother remarried and moved to the US. Together with dad Hajji and his new partner, the late Rio Diaz, Rachel and her sister Barni spent time in Manila and the U.S.Her theater experience began with The Sound of Music at 8 years...
) - Finals week 2: "You Got It Bad" (UsherUsher (entertainer)Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
) - Bottom 4, October 8 - Finals week 3: "Till I Met You" (Kuh LedesmaKuh LedesmaKuh Ledesma is a popular Filipino pop and jazz singer. She is known in the Philippines as the "Pop Diva". Kuh Ledesma has been performing for 25 years in the music industry which encompasses more than 300 concerts, numerous awards in the Philippines, and 18 albums in the Philippine recording...
) - Finals week 4: "Forevermore" (Side ASide A (band)Side A is a Filipino pop show band formed in 1985 who gained recognition in the Filipino music scene in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, best known for their hit single "Forevermore".-Origins and early years:...
) - Bottom 4, October 30 - Finals week 5: "For Once in My LifeFor Once in My Life"For Once in My Life" is a pop song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records' Jobete publishing company in 1967 . The composition was originally recorded by Jean DuShon, while other artists, such as Tony Bennett and The Temptations, recorded slow ballad versions of the song...
" (Spiral StarecaseSpiral StarecaseThe Spiral Starecase was an American band, best known as a one-hit wonder for their 1969 single "More Today Than Yesterday".The band, from Sacramento, California, was a popular 1960s group, recognizable for its horns and lead singer/guitarist Pat Upton's distinctive voice...
) - Bottom 3, November 6 - Finals week 6: "Got To Be RealGot To Be Real"Got to Be Real" is a 1978 disco song by Cheryl Lynn from her self-titled album. The song, which was Lynn's debut single, was penned by David Paich, David Foster, and Lynn, and has since been called one of the defining moments in disco. Along with the tracks, "Star Love" and "You Saved My Day",...
" (Cheryl LynnCheryl LynnLynda Cheryl Smith , known better by her professional name Cheryl Lynn, is a female African-American disco, R&B and soul singer known best for her 1978 disco song, "Got to Be Real".-Early career:...
) - Finals week 7: "Love Moves (in Mysterious Ways)" (Julia FordhamJulia FordhamJulia Fordham is a British singer-songwriter based in California. Her professional career started in the early 1980s, under the name "Jules Fordham", as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and Kim Wilde.-Career:...
) - Finals week 8: "So Far So Good" (Sheena EastonSheena EastonSheena Easton is a Scottish recording artist. Easton became famous for being the focus of an episode in the British television programme The Big Time, which recorded her attempts to gain a record contract and her eventual signing with EMI Records.Easton rose to fame in the early 1980s with the pop...
, from About Last Night...) - Finals week 8: "I'd Give My Life For You" (Lea SalongaLea SalongaLea Salonga-Chien is a mezzo-soprano singer and actress from the Philippines well known for originating the lead role of Kim in the musical Miss Saigon, for which she won the Olivier, Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics and Theatre World awards.She was the first Asian to play the roles of Éponine and...
, from Miss SaigonMiss SaigonMiss Saigon is a musical by Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, with lyrics by Boublil and Richard Maltby, Jr.. It is based on Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, and similarly tells the tragic tale of a doomed romance involving an Asian woman abandoned by her American lover...
) — Eliminated, November 20
Kenneth "Ken" Dingle, from Baguio City
Baguio City
The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
, Benguet Province
Benguet
Benguet is a landlocked province of the Philippines in the Cordillera Administrative Region in Luzon. Its capital is La Trinidad and borders, clockwise from the south, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and Nueva Vizcaya....
. A former boy band member and hotel
Hotel
A hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
receptionist
Receptionist
A receptionist is an employee taking an office/administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business...
in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, he tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on November 13.
- Semi-finals: "More Today Than Yesterday" (Spiral StarecaseSpiral StarecaseThe Spiral Starecase was an American band, best known as a one-hit wonder for their 1969 single "More Today Than Yesterday".The band, from Sacramento, California, was a popular 1960s group, recognizable for its horns and lead singer/guitarist Pat Upton's distinctive voice...
) - Wildcards: "A House Is Not a HomeA House Is Not a Home (song)"A House Is Not a Home" is a 1964 song recorded by American singer Dionne Warwick. Written by the team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song was a modest hit in the U.S. for Warwick, peaking at #71 on the pop singles chart as the B-side of the top 40 single, "You'll Never Get to Heaven "...
" (Dionne WarwickDionne WarwickDionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health....
/Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 17 - Finals week 1: "Di Na Natuto" (Gary ValencianoGary ValencianoEdgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
) - Finals week 2: "What's Going OnWhat's Going On (song)"What's Going On" is a song written by Renaldo "Obie" Benson, Al Cleveland, and Marvin Gaye. It was the title track of Gaye's groundbreaking 1971 Motown album What's Going On, and it became a crossover hit single that reached #2 on the pop charts and #1 on the R&B charts...
" (Marvin GayeMarvin GayeMarvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
) - Finals week 3: "Magsimula Ka" (Leo Valdez)
- Finals week 4: "Ligaya" (The EraserheadsThe EraserheadsEraserheads, or E-Heads was a Filipino rock band of the 90s, formed by Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala and Marcus Adoro. The band is one of the most successful, critically acclaimed, and significant bands in the history of OPM...
) - Finals week 5: "Get Here" (Oleta AdamsOleta AdamsOleta Adams is an American soul, jazz, and gospel singer and pianist.-Biography:Adams was born the daughter of a preacher and was raised with gospel music. In her youth her family moved to Yakima, Washington, which is sometimes shown as her place of birth.Before gaining her opportunity to perform,...
) - Finals week 6: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm YoursSigned, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" is a soul single by American musician Stevie Wonder, recorded for Motown's Tamla label. Released in June 1970, the song spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart...
" (Stevie WonderStevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
) - Bottom 3, November 6 - Finals week 7: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" I Do It for You" is a power ballad performed by Bryan Adams and co-written with Michael Kamen and Robert John "Mutt" Lange, featured on the soundtrack album from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and on Adams' album Waking Up the Neighbours...
" (Bryan AdamsBryan AdamsBryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
) — Eliminated, November 13
Cherry Anne "Apple" Chiu, from Carmona
Carmona, Cavite
The Municipality of Carmona is a first class urban municipality in the province of Cavite, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 68,135 people in a land area of 30.92 square kilometres....
, Cavite. An interior designer by profession, she rendered an unusual R&B version of the novelty song
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
"Ispageti Song" by SexBomb Girls
SexBomb Girls
The Sexbomb Girls are an all-female singing, dancing, and acting group from the Philippines. They are known for the novelty songs "Spaghetti," "Bakit Papa" and "Bilog na Hugis Itlog" that were certified platinum in the Philippines...
during the Luzon Main Auditions. She was eliminated on November 6.
- Semi-finals: "Rhythm of the Street" (Patti AustinPatti Austin-Life and career:Austin was born in Harlem, New York. She made her debut at the Apollo Theater at age four and had a contract with RCA Records when she was only five. Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington have proclaimed themselves as her godparents....
) — Qualified for Finals, September 10 - Finals week 1: "Ngayon" (Basil ValdezBasil ValdezBasil Valdez is a Filipino balladeer.He has received several Tinig Awards and the 1991 Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University-Biography:...
) - Finals week 2: "Natural Woman" (Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
) - Finals week 3: "Sometimes You Just Know" (Jaya)
- Finals week 4: "Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin" (Kitchie NadalKitchie NadalAnna Katrina Dumilon Nadal , more commonly known as Kitchie Nadal, is a singer and songwriter from Manila, Philippines, formerly the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band, Mojofly. Kitchie's popularity in the female OPM niche grew after she released a self-titled solo album featuring her...
) - Finals week 5: "Someone to Watch Over MeSomeone to Watch over Me (song)"Someone to Watch Over Me" is a song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin from the musical Oh, Kay! , where it was introduced by Gertrude Lawrence...
" (Ella FitzgeraldElla FitzgeraldElla Jane Fitzgerald , also known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Lady Ella," was an American jazz and song vocalist...
/George GershwinGeorge GershwinGeorge Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
) - Bottom 4, October 30 - Finals week 6: "Lady MarmaladeLady Marmalade"Lady Marmalade" was also covered by Italian pop star Sabrina. It was released in 1987 as the album's second single by Baby Records. In some countries, including France and the Netherlands, the song was known as "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi? " and was released in 1988.-Track listings:7" maxi#...
" (Christina AguileraChristina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
, PinkP!nkAlecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
, MýaMya-A person:* Bo Mya , Chief Commander of the Karen National Union* Mýa , American R&B singer-songwriter and actress** Mýa , a 1998 album by Mýa-A code:* Burmese language, ISO 639-3 code is mya* Moruya Airport's IATA code...
, and Lil' KimLil' KimKimberly Denise Jones , better known by her stage name Lil' Kim, is an American rapper and actress who was a member of the group Junior M.A.F.I.A.....
) — Eliminated, November 6
Armarie Lourdes "Arms" Cruz
Armarie Cruz
Armarie “Arms” Cruz, born Armarie Lourdes Saavedra Cruz on July 30, 1980, is the daughter of the late Muslim actor Mohammad Faizal and wife Maricar Saavedra from a big political clan in Zamboanga...
, from Zamboanga City
Zamboanga City
The City of Zamboanga : is a highly urbanized, independent and a chartered city located in Mindanao, Philippines....
. A band vocalist and daughter of late character actor Mohamad Faezal, she sang "Hiram" (Borrowed Time) by Zsa Zsa Padilla
Zsa Zsa Padilla
Zsa Zsa Padilla is a Filipina singer and actress. She is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actresses.-Biography:Padilla was born as Esperanza Padilla in 1964, the daughter of actor and sportsman Carlos “Sonny” Padilla, Jr. who served as the referee in the Ali-Frazier world heavyweight boxing...
during the Mindanao Main Auditions. She was the only finalist from outside of Luzon, and was eliminated on October 30.
- Semi-finals: "Superwoman" (Karyn WhiteKaryn WhiteKaryn White was a new jack swing singer who became popular during the late 1980s.-Biography:White was born in Los Angeles,to the parentage of Vivian and Clarence White. She is the youngest of five children...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 10 - Finals week 1: "Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi" (Didith ReyesDidith ReyesMaria Helen Bella Avenila Santamaria , better known as Didith Reyes, was a Filipino actress and singer best known for recording a string of hit love ballads in the 1970s...
) - Finals week 2: "RespectRespect (song)"Respect" is a song written and originally released by Stax recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. "Respect" became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few minor changes in the lyrics, the stories told...
" (Aretha FranklinAretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
) - Finals week 3: "Anak"/ The Child (Freddie AguilarFreddie AguilarFerdinand Pascual Aguilar , better known as Freddie Aguilar, is a folk musician from the Philippines. He is best known for his rendition of "Bayan Ko", which became the anthem for the opposition to the Marcos regime during the 1986 People Power Revolution, and for his song "Anak", the best-selling...
) - Finals week 4: "Makita Kang Muli" (SugarfreeSugarfree (band)Sugarfree was a band composed of Ebe Dancel , Jal Taguibao and Kaka Quisimbing who replaced Mitch Singson in 2006...
) - Finals week 5: "If I Believe" (Patti AustinPatti Austin-Life and career:Austin was born in Harlem, New York. She made her debut at the Apollo Theater at age four and had a contract with RCA Records when she was only five. Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington have proclaimed themselves as her godparents....
) — Eliminated, October 30
Jellica Marie "Jelli" Mateo, from Pasig City
Pasig City
The City of Pasig is one of the city municipalities of Metro Manila in the Philippines and was the former capital of the province of Rizal prior to the formation of this grouping of cities designated as the National Capital Region...
, Metro Manila. A lounge singer/ model/ events host by profession, she wooed Idol judge Magalona with her rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me
Someone to Watch over Me (song)
"Someone to Watch Over Me" is a song composed by George Gershwin with lyrics by Ira Gershwin from the musical Oh, Kay! , where it was introduced by Gertrude Lawrence...
" by Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
during the Luzon Main Audition. She was eliminated on October 30, along with Cruz.
- Semi-finals: "Bridges/Travessia" (EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
/ PortuguesePortuguese languagePortuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
/ TagalogTagalog languageTagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
version, Sérgio MendesSergio MendesSérgio Santos Mendes is a Brazilian musician. He has released over thirty-five albums, and plays bossa nova heavily crossed with jazz and funk....
/Kevyn LettauKevyn LettauKevyn Lettau is a Brazilian jazz vocalist. She is also competent on keyboards and saxophone. She scored success in the United States in the early 1990s with her albums Kevyn Lettau Kevyn Lettau (born 1959 in Berlin, Germany) is a Brazilian jazz vocalist. She is also competent on keyboards and...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 10 - Finals week 1: "Iisa Pa Lamang" (Joey AlbertJoey AlbertJoey Albert is a Filipino pop and jazz singer, musician, lyricist and songwriter. An alumna of and , Albert began her professional singing career in 1982, right after winning the Dream Girl Filipina contest in The Party, a television program hosted by Ariel Ureta over Banahaw Broadcasting...
) - Finals week 2: "Always Be My BabyAlways Be My Baby"Always Be My Baby" is a song by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey from her fifth studio album, Daydream. It was released by Columbia Records on March 9, 1996 as the third US single and fourth overall. The song was written by Carey, Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, who also produced the song...
" (Mariah CareyMariah CareyMariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
) - Finals week 3: "Isang Mundo, Isang Awit" (Leah NavarroLeah NavarroLeah Navarro was still in her late teens when she became a major pop-music star in the Philippines in 1970s-80s.Born to a well-off family, Leah's mom is Nelda Navarro, a signer herself who used have her own TV program The Nelda Navarro show...
) - Finals week 4: "Paglisan" (Color It Red)
- Finals week 5: "You Don't Know Me" (Ray CharlesRay CharlesRay Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
) — Eliminated, October 30
Reymond Sajor, from Lucena City, Quezon Province. A singer and theatre actor, he was the Grand Champion of Hamilton Talent Hunt in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, who delivered "This is the Moment" from the musical Jekyll & Hyde
Jekyll & Hyde (musical)
Jekyll & Hyde is a musical based on the novella Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. The original stage conception was by Steve Cuden and Frank Wildhorn. The music is by Wildhorn and the lyrics and book are by Leslie Bricusse.The musical ran on Broadway for 1,543...
during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on October 15.
- Semi-finals: "Tell Her About It" (Billy JoelBilly JoelWilliam Martin "Billy" Joel is an American musician and pianist, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist and the third best-selling solo artist in the United States, according to...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 3 - Finals week 1: "Hindi Magbabago" (Randy SantiagoRandy SantiagoRandy Gerard Legaspi Santiago more commonly known as simply Randy Santiago, is a Filipino actor, television host, singer, songwriter, producer, director and entrepreneur. He is the big brother of Raymart Santiago, Rowell Santiago and Reily Pablo L. Santiago Jr....
) - Finals week 2: "I'd Rather" (Luther VandrossLuther VandrossLuther Ronzoni Vandross was an American singer-songwriter and record producer. During his career, Vandross sold over twenty-five million albums and won eight Grammy Awards including Best Male R&B Vocal Performance four times...
) - Finals week 3: "Be My Lady" (Pedritto Montaire/Martin NieveraMartin NieveraMartin Ramon Razon Nievera is a singer, songwriter, and actor. He is one of the main hosts of musical variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN-Early life:...
) — Eliminated, October 15
Paul Andrae Wilde "Drae" Ybañez, from Quezon City, Metro Manila. A charity
Charity (practice)
The practice of charity means the voluntary giving of help to those in need who are not related to the giver.- Etymology :The word "charity" entered the English language through the Old French word "charité" which was derived from the Latin "caritas".Originally in Latin the word caritas meant...
volunteer by profession, he tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on October 8.
- Semi-finals: "What You Won’t Do for Love" (Bobby CaldwellBobby CaldwellBobby Caldwell is an American singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who, despite a prolific musical output over his 30-year career, is still best known for his 1978 hit single "What You Won't Do for Love". While he has always maintained a devoted fan base in the United States, a legendary...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 3 - Finals week 1: "Hang On" (Gary ValencianoGary ValencianoEdgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
) - Finals week 2: "You're Still a Young Man" (Tower of PowerTower of PowerTower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
) — Eliminated, October 8
Stephanie "Stef" Lazaro Bainbridgge, from Gold Coast
Gold Coast, Queensland
Gold Coast is a coastal city of Australia located in South East Queensland, 94km south of the state capital Brisbane. With a population approximately 540,000 in 2010, it is the second most populous city in the state, the sixth most populous city in the country, and also the most populous...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. A singer by profession, she tried out in Australian Idol
Australian Idol
Australian Idol is a Logie Award-winning Australian singing competition, which began its first season on July 2003 and ended its run in November 2009. As part of the Idol franchise, Australian Idol originated from the reality program Pop Idol, which was created by British entertainment executive...
, but only reached the Theater Eliminations. She returned to the Philippines to try out during the Visayas Main Auditions of Philippine Idol. She was eliminated on October 8, along with Ybañez.
- Semi-finals: "Home" (Diana RossDiana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
) - Wildcards: "Total Eclipse of the HeartTotal Eclipse of the Heart"Total Eclipse of the Heart" is a song written and produced by Jim Steinman and recorded by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler for her fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night...
" (Bonnie TylerBonnie TylerBonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer, most notable for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s including "It's a Heartache", "Holding Out for a Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".-Early life:...
) — Qualified for Finals, September 17 - Finals week 1: "Pangako Sa 'Yo" (Rey ValeraRey ValeraReynaldo Valera Guardiano is a singer, songwriter, music director, film scorer and television host from the Philippines. He wrote and produced songs that were recorded by various singers, most notably Sharon Cuneta. He currently hosts the variety noontime show Pilipinas Win na Win alongside Rico J...
) - Finals week 2: "Proud MaryProud Mary (song)"Proud Mary" is a rock song written by American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist John Fogerty, and recorded by his band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The song was released as a single from the band's second studio album, Bayou Country, both released by Fantasy Records in January 1969...
" (Tina TurnerTina TurnerTina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...
) — Eliminated, October 8
Post-Idol
The Philippine Idol finalists reunited in a special concertConcert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
that was held on March 23, 2007 in Araneta Coliseum. Reports said that major sections of the venue were not filled and the concert experienced major sound glitches from faulty microphone
Microphone
A microphone is an acoustic-to-electric transducer or sensor that converts sound into an electrical signal. In 1877, Emile Berliner invented the first microphone used as a telephone voice transmitter...
s that shadowed their laudable performances.
Marcelo still remains as the finalist with a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines with the release of her new album entitled On My Own, derived from its carrier track "Try It on My Own
Try It on My Own
"Try It on My Own" is a 2003 single released by American R&B/pop singer Whitney Houston. The song is about overcoming doubts or fears so a person can reach the point in their life where they can "try it on their own"...
". Weeks after her winning (on December 20, 2006), Marcelo performed in Malacañang Palace for the Christmas party of Office of the President.
Marcelo has also released her first post-Idol full-length album entitled I Shine for You. A remixed version of "I Shine for You" is used as a theme song for local television show Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge, which is being shown on ABC.
On the other hand, runner-up Magdangal signed a non-exclusive contract to GMA Network a month after Philippine Idol and is a regular on Sunday noontime variety show SOP Rules, which he confirmed in his Yahoo! Group
Yahoo! Groups
Yahoo! Groups is one of the world’s largest collections of online discussion boards. The term Groups refers to Internet communication which is a hybrid between an electronic mailing list and a threaded Internet forum, in other words, Group messages can be read and posted by e-mail or on the Group's...
. However, it has been noticeable that he is not mentioning "Philippine Idol" in his appearances on GMA Network. He also won Best Performance by a New Male Artist at the 20th Awit Awards on August 2007 for his song "Himala" that was part of Philippine Idol: The Final 12 Album.
Meanwhile, fellow runner-up Nieto has since resigned from his high-paying job at Unilever
Unilever
Unilever is a British-Dutch multinational corporation that owns many of the world's consumer product brands in foods, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products....
Philippines to fully pursue his singing career. Nine months after Idol, he signed a contract with GMA Network and was introduced in SOP on October 2007 as its newest "Kapuso".
Nieto and Mendoza also appeared on the ABS-CBN variety show ASAP '07
ASAP (variety show)
ASAP Rocks is a musical variety show in the Philippines broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines. The show is presented by its main hosts Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera. The show first premiered on February 5, 1995, and airs live Sundays...
alongside Piolo Pascual
Piolo Pascual
Piolo Jose Pascual is a Filipino film and television actor, musician, model, and producer.-Biography:...
, Sam Milby
Sam Milby
Samuel Lloyd "Sam" Lacia Milby , is a Filipino-American who joined Pinoy Big Brother as a housemate...
, Jay-R Siaboc, and Ronnie Liang. Moreover, Nieto was also interviewed in TV Patrol World
TV Patrol World
TV Patrol is the flagship national network news broadcast of ABS-CBN in the Philippines. It is aired Monday to Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sundays from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m....
about his appearance on the show. Along with Mateo, Nieto also sang a food condiment jingle that was rearranged by Cayabyab.
Mateo is a co-host in Pilipinas Ngayon Na!, an infotainment program in state-owned National Broadcasting Network
National Broadcasting Network
People's Television is the flagship government television network owned by the Philippine Government through People's Television Network, Inc. . Its head office, studios and transmitter are located at Broadcast Complex, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City .-History:The country's government...
. She also briefly appeared in ABS-CBN's noontime show Wowowee
Wowowee
Wowowee was a Philippine noon-time variety show broadcast by ABS-CBN. The show premiered on February 5, 2005, and aired live on weekdays and Saturdays. The show was also broadcast worldwide through ABS-CBN's The Filipino Channel...
as one of its co-hosts.
Meanwhile, Drae Ybañez was featured in the February 6, 2007 edition of the ABS-CBN late evening news program Bandila
Bandila (TV program)
Bandila is an International Emmy-nominated late night news broadcast of ABS-CBN in the Philippines. The newscast is anchored by Julius Babao, Karen Davila, Ces Oreña-Drilon and Boy Abunda...
. Philippine Idol was not explicitly mentioned in the report; rather, it focused on his charity work. He announced during a performance in De La Salle Philippines'
De La Salle Philippines
De La Salle Philippines is a network of Seventeen Lasallian Institutions in the Philippines. It was established in 2006 for the unified implementation of the Lasallian Mission, generate creative synergy, and promote the spirit of "One La Salle" among member institutions...
grand reunion that he is taking up Music Production in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde
De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...
.
Reymond Sajor won in the Senior Vocalist category in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2007
World Championships of Performing Arts
The World Championships of Performing Arts is the first and only international competition to find the best aspiring performing artists worldwide. This competitive contest which is held annually in Hollywood, California is often referred to as the "Olympics of the Performing Arts"...
, which was held in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, USA. Sajor is also recording his debut album with musical direction by Gerard Salonga
Gerard Salonga
Gerard Salonga is a conductor, musical arranger, orchestrator and musical director from the Philippines. He is also the founder, musical director and conductor of FILharmoniKA, a symphony orchestra in the Philippines.-Biography:...
.
Armarie Cruz, Ken Dingle, and Apple Chiu formed "AKA", a singing group that performs in Metro Manila's bar and hotel circuits. It was formed by a former Idol writer, with former Mulatto band member Jun Lacanieta as the group's musical director. The group also admits that all the 12 finalists support each other even after the competition.
Pow Chavez announced in her Multiply site that she returned to her band "Joint" and continued to perform around Metro Manila bars.
Miguel Mendoza auditioned for the second season
Pinoy Dream Academy (season 2)
Pinoy Dream Academy is a Philippine television program similar to Big Brother. The second season began on June 14, 2008. 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...
of Pinoy Dream Academy
Pinoy Dream Academy
Pinoy Dream Academy is the Philippine version of Endemol's Operación Triunfo . The format is similar to Big Brother, where a set number of finalists would live inside the Academy for four months and will be trained by guest teachers to be multimedia performers...
. He passed through the elimination rounds and was eventually chosen as one of its finalists. Coincidentally, Cayabyab is now that program's Headmaster.
Apple Chiu is currently one of the singers in the ABS-CBN show, The Singing Bee
The Singing Bee (Philippine game show)
The Philippine version of The Singing Bee premiered on April 21, 2008 on ABS-CBN. A combinination of karaoke singing and a spelling bee-style competition, this show features contestants trying to remember the lyrics to popular songs....
.
Mateo and Lazaro competed in Malaysia as a group called 3.5 in a show called Gangstarz.