July 23, 2006
Idol Mania is Here: Philippine Idol Starts July 30
PHILIPPINE IDOL may be the local franchise of the world-famous American Idol but its three resident judges – Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Asia's Queen of Song Pilita Corrales and Master Rapper Francis M. – are definitely no copycats of AI's Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson. And they don't intend to be.
For one thing, we all know Cayabyab's experience in the music business. He has worked with the best singers in the land and on the sole basis of his extensive experience, he definitely would know what he is looking for in a Philippine Idol.
Corrales, too, has had a long, stellar career. She is considered as the original Philippine diva and has countless hits and gold record albums. As such, she knows how it is to be a real singer and this musical wisdom, so to speak, will help her ferret out the good singers from the bad.
Francis M, on the other hand, may be relatively less experienced than the other two judges, but he surely has his share of musical successes – what with rap-rock hits like "Mga Kababayan Ko" and "Kaleidoscope World." Francis M brings a younger and more contemporary perspective to the judging process.
The three judges' respective musical experiences virtually assure participants that they know what they want and will not pattern their judging styles after their American Idol counterparts.
From the start of preparations for Philippine Idol, the show's producers have bluntly asked the three judges not to play the specific roles of Simon, Paula and Randy. They were simply asked to be themselves. 
"There will be thousands of contestants to go through and comment on before we get to the one Idol. If we asked any judge to play a role, it would just be exhausting for them," explains Perci Intalan, ABC Director for Creative and Entertainment Production. "And the audience today is smart, they will see right through the pose," he adds.
"Moreover, since we started searching, we have been looking for judges who can assess contestants from different angles. The judges in Philippine Idol have to have different points of view and ideas on what traits and skill level should be present in our country's Idol."
"A maestro like Ryan Cayabyab would have a unique perspective versus a seasoned performer like Pilita Corrales and someone from an edgier musical genre like Francis M would have a different point of view too. People may say it's a strange mix to have judges like them together but that's exactly the point. Because they are different from each other, they will have different things to say which makes each one worth watching and listening to on the show," Intalan adds.
Among the three judges, it was only Ryan Cayabyab who did not have to audition for the role. "I've been hooked to American Idol ever since season 2, hindi pinalabas dito, napanood ko sa US yun. Deep inside me I've been wishing na sana magkaroon ng Philippine Idol. So when ABC got the local franchise of the Idol format I got really excited. When Bob (Roberto Barreiro, ABC Managing Director) asked me to be one of the judges, without batting an eyelash I said yes," reveals the maestro.
Pilita Corrales has also seen so many talents before but not as a judge, but a host. She was in Bagong Kampeon for 15 years then in Tanghalan ng Kampeon for seven years. This time she'll try her hand in choosing the best of the best in the country to be the first Philippine Idol.
"I'm really very proud to be part of Philippine Idol. I've always been happy to be able to discover or to meet new untapped singers that may come out and be the next superstars. It's a great honor to be chosen as a judge," she professes.
So, what does Francis M feel about sitting side by side with the musical icons in the country to search for that one Philippine Idol?
"I'm honored to be judging alongside Mr. C and The Pilita, Mamita. These people are icons and their contribution to the music industry is tremendous," he avers.
Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales, and Francis M. – three musical personalities with diverse musical backgrounds and leanings. In their hands lies the country's search for the very first National Singer, the very first Philippine Idol. And considering the talent, expertise, and experience of the three, we know that the search is in good hands.
SOURCE: Philippine Idol Article Written by: Jen Pangilinan
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