Pinoy Idol

For Associated Broadcasting Company's former Idol franchise, see Philippine Idol.

Pinoy Idol
File:PinoyIdolLogoLarge.JPG Pinoy Idol title card
Created by	Simon Fuller
Directed by	Louie Ignacio
Presented by	Raymond Gutierrez
Judges	Ogie Alcasid Jolina Magdangal Wyngard Tracy
Country of origin	Philippines
No. of episodes	25 (as of July 6, 2008)
Production
Executive producer	Perry Lansigan
Production locations	Top 24: FILMEX Studio, Makati City Top 12: CenterStage, SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City
Running time	Varies
Original release
Network	GMA Network
Release	April 5, 2008

Pinoy Idol
Pinoy Idol finalists (with dates of elimination)
Season 1 (2008)
Penelope
Warren Antig
Jayann Bautista
Kid Camaya
Daryl Celis
Ram Chaves
Sue Ellen
Gretchen Espina
Toffer Rei
Robby Navarro	July 6
Mae Flores	June 29
Jeni Rawolle	June 22

Pinoy Idol is a Filipino interactive reality-based singing competition airing on GMA Network. The program seeks to discover the best singer or "idol" in the country through a series of nationwide auditions and live performances, which is determined by public voting through SMS.

The show is 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. Danny Tan is the show's musical director. The winner will receive P1 million, a house and lot, brand new car, a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines, and a television contract with GMA Network. The show debuted on April 5, 2008.

Pinoy Idol is the second Idol franchise in the Philippines, after Philippine Idol that was shown in Associated Broadcasting Company in 2006. FremantleMedia, the owner of the Idol franchise decided to award the second season to GMA Network. GMA promoted Pinoy Idol as "the first Idol competition in the Philippines" and does not recognize Philippine Idol and its winner Mau Marcelo.

The show has suffered poor critical and commercial reception, thus, it is considered as one of GMA's lowest rating programs.

Transition from Philippine Idol

ABC was supposed to have the second season for Philippine Idol, as announced in a report in ABC's late night news show Sentro. This was also announced by Marcelo during the concert of the first season's final 12 at the Araneta Coliseum in late March 2007. However, rumors began to spread that Philippine Idol would not be having its second season in 2007 as planned, while major station GMA Network was planning to acquire the Idol franchise. Sources claimed that ABC incurred heavy losses in the previous season, primarily because of the low number of advertisement placements 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".

ABC was reportedly sore about the deal, saying through its senior vice president for Corporate Affairs Terra Daffon that ABC was willing to buy only Idol with no other packages attached, but FremantleMedia has apparently found a better deal with GMA, "a giant" compared to their network which they described as a "Jack trying to climb the beanstalk". ABC was also saddened by rumors that GMA would relaunch the show instead of recognizing the first season and therefore not acknowledging Mau Marcelo as the first Philippine Idol. Daffon commented that GMA's move to acquire FremantleMedia programs was a complete turnaround from its previous vow not to "buy" any foreign franchise, and that it seemed set in battling rival ABS-CBN anew as the latter has franchises from Endemol. Galvante, meanwhile, countered that she will not back down from what she said that GMA will not "copy" foreign franchises completely, without making adjustments to entertain local viewers, which was different from her own statement over a year before that the GMA network did not need to "buy" a foreign franchise to put up their own talent searches.

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. Auditions in Naga were canceled for unknown reasons. During the Pasay auditions, Ida Henares, head of the GMA Artist Center (the talent arm of GMA Network), 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

File:Pinoy Idol billboard.jpg

A billboard advertising the program with its host and judges.

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.

On 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

Pinoy Idol's 24 semifinalists.

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 is finalized. Because of a quirk in the number of weeks and process of elimination, this stage ended a week later than expected (see Production below).

Male semi-finalists

Joselindo Pimpino Jr., also known as JJ Jr., is 17 from Bataan. He currently studies in Baguio City where his parents live. He also claims to be Pinoy Pop Superstar's youngest competitor at age 14. He auditioned in Dagupan.

1. "You to Me Are Everything" (The Real Thing)
2. "King of Wishful Thinking" (Go West)
3. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (Stevie Wonder)
4. "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.

1. "She's out of My Life" (Michael Jackson)
2. "Every Breath You Take" (The Police)
3. "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.

1. "Your Love" (Alamid)
2. "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.

1. "How Do You Heal a Broken Heart" (Chris Walker)
2. "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.

1. "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.

1. "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.

1. "I Believe In You and Me" (Whitney Houston)
2. "It Must Have Been Love" (Roxette)
3. "The Voice Within" (Christina Aguilera)
4. "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.

1. "You Mean The World To Me" (Toni Braxton)
2. "I Feel for You" (Chaka Khan)
3. "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.

1. "Fever" (Elvis Presley)
2. "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.

1. "Fame" (Irene Cara)
2. "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.

1. "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.

1. "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, will start on June 21 2008, with eliminations the next night. Like the semi-finals, eliminations during the finals will be on a weekly basis.

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.

1. "Still with You" (Eric Benét)
2. "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper)
3. "Because of You" (Ne-Yo)
4. "Right Here Waiting" (Richard Marx)
5. "Superstar" (Delaney, Bonnie & Friends)
6. "Basta't Kasama Kita" (Dingdong Avanzado)
7. "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako" (Rey Valera)

Elizalde "Kid" Camaya is 24 from Pampanga, as iterated by the program. He currently works for a BPI branch in Quezon City, to which his introductory profile refers as his residence. He says that the show is his "dream and passion." He auditioned in Pasay.

1. "A Song for You" (Andy Williams)
2. "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" (Naked Eyes)
3. "Love Always Finds A Way" (Peabo Bryson)
4. "Gone Too Soon" (Michael Jackson)
5. "Ordinary People" (John Legend)
6. "I'll Never Love This Way Again" (Dionne Warwick)
7. "The Warrior Is A Child" (Gary Valenciano)

Gretchen (Stephanie) Espina is 20 from Biliran. She is the daughter of Rogelio J. Espina, the governor of the said province. Studying in the University of the Philippines, she auditioned in Pasay accompanied by a bodyguard.

1. "Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Good-bye)" (Gladys Knight & The Pips)
2. "The Way You Make Me Feel" (Michael Jackson)
3. "Wala Na Bang Pag-ibig?" (Jaya)
4. "Try It on My Own" (Whitney Houston)
5. "Respect" (Aretha Franklin)
6. "A House Is Not a Home" (Dionne Warwick)
7. "Follow Your Road" (Pauline Wilson)

Jay Ann "Jayann" Bautista is 21 from Pampanga. She studies in UP Diliman and her parents run their own businesses. She was formerly a talent of VIVA Entertainment and had released an album under its record label. She auditioned in Angeles.

1. "Secret" (Heart)
2. "Kiss" (Prince)
3. "Bleeding Love" (Leona Lewis)
4. "I Am Changing" (Jennifer Hudson)
5. "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin)
6. "Whine Up" (Kat DeLuna)
7. "Better Days" (Dianne Reeves)

Penelope Ann Matanguihan, known only as Penelope in the show, is 16 from Batangas. She is perennial singing champion who is "raring to fight for her family." She auditioned in Batangas

1. "Wild Horses" (Natasha Bedingfield)
2. "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" (Bryan Adams)
3. "One Step At A Time" (Jordin Sparks)
4. "Papa, Can You Hear Me?" (Barbara Streisand)
5. "Alone" (Heart)
6. "So Sick" (Ne-Yo)
7. "This Is My Now" (Jordin Sparks)

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.

1. "My Hero" (Foo Fighters)
2. "Boys Don't Cry" (The Cure)
3. "Kung Ayaw Mo, 'Wag Mo" (Rivermaya)
4. "My Sacrifice" (Creed)
5. "With Arms Wide Open" (Creed)
6. "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo" (Yano)
7. "Yugyugan Na" (P. O. T.)

Sue Ellen Cubing, known only as Sue Ellen, is 16 from Iloilo. She is a daughter of a pastor and beauty pageant runner-up. She and her sister, Genevieve, auditioned together in Iloilo and made it through the theater rounds, where Genevieve was among those eliminated.

1. "Love Thang" (Michelle Williams)
2. "More Than Words" (Extreme)
3. "Love Like This" (Natasha Bedingfield)
4. "Thank You" (Dido)
5. "Survivor" (Destiny's Child)
6. "In the End" (Linkin Park)
7. "Jesus Take The Wheel" (Carrie Underwood)

Kristoffer Rei Tragico, or Toffer Rei in the show, is 23 from Marikina City. He is the son of a driver and a housewife. Despite being from Luzon, he auditioned in Iloilo.

1. "Stigmatized" (The Calling)
2. "I Want to Break Free" (Queen)
3. "Something to Say" (Harem Scarem)
4. "I Could Not Ask for More" (Edwin McCain)
5. "Honestly" (Harem Scarem)
6. "Changes In My Life" (Mark Sherman)
7. "It's My Life" (Bon Jovi)

Warren Antig is 25 from Baguio City. He also goes under the nickname of "Bordado" because of his tattos. He became notorious for his decision to back out of the competition during the Theater rounds, only to change his mind in the last minute, irking judges Alcasid and Magdangal in the process and causing delays in the taping of those rounds. He auditioned in Dagupan.

1. "Ulitin" (P. O. T.)
2. "Open Arms" (Journey)
3. "Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)
4. "Panaginip" (P. O. T.)
5. "Shout" (Tears For Fears)
6. "You Give Love A Bad Name" (Bon Jovi)
7. "Balong Malalim" (Juan dela Cruz Band)

Roberto "Robby" Navarro, Jr. is 28 from Pampanga. He was once part of a singing group called the Wise Guys, but made a difficult decision to go solo, which he claims is paying off. He released an eponymous solo album way back in 1999 under Sony BMG. He auditioned in Angeles.

1. "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" (Maxwell)
2. "What You Won't Do For Love" (Bobby Caldwell)
3. "Wildflower" (Color Me Badd)
4. "If Tomorrow Never Comes" (Garth Brooks)
5. "One Last Cry" (Brian McKnight)
6. "Someone That I Used To Love" (Natalie Cole)
7. "Greatest Love of All" (Whitney Houston) - Eliminated, July 6, 2008

(Angeli) Mae Flores is 18 from Marikina. She competed in the talent show Star for a Night, the same one in which Sarah Geronimo and Mau Marcelo participated. She auditioend in Angeles.

1. "Love Will Show You Everything" (Jennifer Love Hewitt)
2. "Listen To Your Heart" (Roxette)
3. "Walk Away" (Kelly Clarkson)
4. "Angels" (Robbie Williams)
5. "You Oughta Know" (Alanis Morisette)
6. "If I Didn't Love You" (Tina Arena) - Eliminated, June 29, 2008

Jenifer "Jeni" Rawolle is 20 from Paco, Manila. She previously competed in Pinoy Pop Superstar. She auditioned in Pasay.

1. "For Once In My Life" (Vonda Shepard)
2. "Lean On Me" (Club Nouveau)
3. "Too Darn Hot" (Ella Fitzgerald)
4. "You Raise Me Up" (Secret Garden)
5. "Inseparable" (Natalie Cole) - Eliminated, June 22, 2008

Finals weekly song themes

• Week 1 (June 21): Songs from their greatest pre-Idol performances
• Week 2 (June 28): Song dedications
• Week 3 (July 5): Songs of their lives

Elimination chart

Legend

Female

Male

Top 12

Top 24

Safe first

Safe second

Eliminated

Stage:		Semi-Finals				Finals
Week:		5/25	6/1	6/8	6/15	6/22	6/29	7/6	7/13	7/20	7/27	8/3	8/10	8/17	8/24	8/31
Place	Contestant	Result
	Warren Antig						Btm 3
	Jayann Bautista
	Kid Camaya			Btm 3		Btm 3
	Daryl Celis				Btm 2			Btm 3
	Ram Chaves		Btm 4
	Sue Ellen					Btm 3		Btm 3
	Gretchen Espina
	Penelope
	Toffer Rei			Btm 3			Btm 3
10	Robby Navarro		Btm 4					Elim
11	Mae Flores		Btm 4	Btm 3	Btm 2		Elim
12	Jeni Rawolle			Btm 3		Elim
13-14	JJ Jr.				Elim
	Carol Leus
15-16	Meryl David		Btm 4	Elim
	Walton Zerrudo
17-20	Rye Estrada		Elim
	Sherwin Marquez
	Regene Ong
	Vren Villaflor
21-24	Elliot Andal	Elim
	Bev Ejercito
	Drizzle Muñiz
	Dio Paolo

• "Btm #" signifies that the semi-finalist was placed in the bottom group among one's own gender.

Pinoy Idol Extra

Pinoy Idol Extra, a daily Pinoy Idol feature program, was introduced on the May 18, 2008 episode of SOP Rules. It is hosted by Karylle and Rhian Ramos. The show began airing on May 25, 2008, to be shown weekday nights and Sunday afternoons.

The show will feature exclusive behind-the-scenes footage during live shows and interviews with contestants and judges. Its format is similar to that of I ♥ Philippine Idol: Exclusive.

Production

Louie Ignacio, who directs GMA's variety program SOP Rules and was part of the network's own singing competition Pinoy Pop Superstar, directs the first season of Pinoy Idol. Ryan Agoncillo, who hosted Philippine Idol, would not reprise his hosting stint due to his contract with rival network ABS-CBN. Likewise, Philippine Idol judge Ryan Cayabyab would not return to his jury duties not only because of his previous connections with ABS-CBN, but also because he accepted the offer to appear in Pinoy Dream Academy's second season as its new "headmaster".

Eventually, Pilita Corrales and Francis Magalona, who were judges from Philippine Idol with connections to GMA Network, were not selected to reprise their jury duties in Pinoy Idol as those roles were given to Alcasid, Magdangal, and Tracy. Hosting chores were given to Raymond Gutierrez. Singer-actress and controversial homewrecker Regine Velasquez was considered for the role as Pinoy Idol host, but was rejected due to being over-aged under Idol franchise standards. Additionally, FremantleMedia personnel did not want a singer like Velasquez to host the show so as not to take attention away from the eventual finalists. Meanwhile, GMA does not recognize Philippine Idol winner Marcelo as the first-season winner although her runners-up Jan Nieto and Gian Magdangal are both part of GMA's roster. As their preparation for Pinoy Idol, GMA Network shelved all of their other talent search programs such as Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition, Pinoy Pop Superstar, and StarStruck. Meanwhile, FremantleMedia has given GMA Network the right to broadcast Pinoy Idol on its U.S. cable channel GMA Pinoy TV.

In a deviation from many Idol shows, Philippine Idol included, Pinoy Idol was aired only once a week for seven weeks. Episodes aired during that time covered only the auditions and theater rounds. For the semi-finals, three episodes were aired over the weekend (on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) in very inconsistent times: shows aired on Friday were shown late in GMA's Telebabad time block, while the Saturday and Sunday shows were early evening ones. The time slots of the Saturday and Sunday shows are being retained for the finals.

Also, while both Philippine Idol franchises have Smart Communications as their main sponsor, Pinoy Idol uses two numbers for SMS voting (as opposed to only one in Philippine Idol): one for Smart's cellular networks (Smart Gold, Smart Buddy, and Talk 'N' Text) and another for subscribers of Globe Telecom and Sun Cellular. During the semi-finals, voting was limited to two hours after the end of the show and each cellphone number can only send 200 votes per voting period, no matter for which contestant each of the votes is tabulated. This was done to address power voting. Also, another deviation from many Idol franchises (again, including Philippine Idol), there was no landline voting option. For the finals, voting period was expanded, beginning from the start of the show (yet another deviation) to noon of the next day, but voting is still limited to 200 votes per cellphone number.

Also, like American Idol and unlike Philippine Idol, the semi-finals format spanned three nights, the first two nights were the performance nights, with the third being the results episode. But unlike American Idol, the male semi-finalists didn't always get to perform on the first performance night of the week. They did so on the first performance night of the first and third semi-finals week; the females had their second semi-finals performances at the first performance night of the second week. To keep with this alternating pattern, the third and fourth semi-finals weeks saw only one eliminated semi-finalist per gender group; the Top 12 was therefore named at the end of the fourth semi-finals week instead of the third as perceived and initially reported.

Criticisms

Early into the development of Pinoy Idol, there was a growing petition in online forums requesting for Ignacio's exclusion as its program director primarily because of his frequent use of butterflies (whether live butterflies or having people wear butterfly wings) on every project he has directed. He commented that he would still stick to his "lucky trademark" and even taunted petitioners to direct the show and put beetles or mosquitoes on the set if that is what they want.

In an article published before Pinoy Idol's premiere, noted film and television critic Nestor U. Torre hoped that the lapses that occurred in Philippine Idol would be remedied in Pinoy Idol. However, once the show went underway, those hopes seem to dampen as Torre noted on the first episode alone some mediocre talent and Gutierrez' boring hosting. Torre did laud the judging styles of Alcasid and Magdangal and Tracy's emerging Simon Cowell-like demeanor. One viewer, who wrote to the Philippine Daily Inquirer about the show, was not as impressed when comparing it to Philippine Idol, complaining about Gutierrez's nasal and unnatural hosting style, Magdangal's immaturity as judge and Tracy seemingly imitating Cowell more as compared to Cayabyab.

Meanwhile, entertainment writer Jean Oli wrote that Pinoy Idol does not have that "Idol feel" despite high expectations towards GMA Network, calling it "an ordinary singing contest." She even stated that the network's previous singing contests such as Pinoy Pop Superstar and Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition were more interesting to watch than Pinoy Idol.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network

External links

• Pinoy Idol Official Website