August 10, 2006

Philippine Idol "Sulutan"

I cam across this article days ago from Philippine Daily Inquirer and I was shocked ABS-CBN is stooping too low just to attract some contestants away from Philippine Idol for their own Pinoy Dream Academy. Hindi naman tama 'yan! I am very against any piracy (although I must admit that I patronize pirate DVD... hehehe), especially this kind of piracy done by ABS-CBN.

Why will the network stoop to this level? Wala na ba talagang pag-asa pa para makakuha sila ng mga magagaling for their Pinoy Dream Academy kaya sinusulot nalang nila ang mga magagaling (I must admit marami-rami magagaling ang nakita ko) sa Philippine Idol? ABS-CBN is bad!! Ayaw ni Lord ng ganyan!

This is the article written by Marinel Cruz sa Inquirer last August 7, 2006.

AN ABC 5 OFFICIAL HAS confirmed reports that one contestant in the talent search program "Philippine Idol" has dropped out of the competition to join a rival singing contest —after another TV network reportedly approached several contestants and convinced them to switch channels.

"We are sad because kids have to face decisions like these so soon," Perci Intalan, ABC 5 Creative and Entertainment Production head told Inquirer Entertainment on Wednesday. "They are still new in the business. From our end, we are flattered. Instead of looking elsewhere, other networks decided to just get ‘Philippine Idol' contestants, apparently because they see that the best have come here."

An ABC 5 insider said the one who left joined ABS-CBN's "Pinoy Dream Academy," which has the same format as "Idol." "Dream Academy" is a franchise from the same Dutch company behind the Kapamilya network's "Pinoy Big Brother."

The source said several Kapamilya employees had gone to see one of the "Idol" judges to convince the judge to "just let (some of) the contestants go."

Contract issue

"There is an issue there," Intalan said of the contestant's transfer. "The contract that applicants signed states that once they come on board, they must stay on board unless they decide to back out from the contest. But the reason should not be because they are moving to another competition."

Meanwhile, the contest's top 24 contenders were chosen on Thursday after the scheduled three-day theater auditions conducted by judges Pilita Corrales, Ryan Cayabyab and Francis Magalona at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City. This signals the beginning of live performances and voting through SMS.

In an interview, Francis said he had picked his "24 favorites" on the very first day of the screening.

Master composer Cayabyab didn't have fun. "I got headaches," he said. "Ang daming magaling na kailangang matanggal." (We have to eliminate even those who were really talented.)

The 166 contestants were whittled down to 84 on the first day. On the second day, the remaining contenders were made to choose from three songs personally picked by "Idol" musical director Mel Villena. They were then assigned to a group with three members.

Contract

The male contestants were asked to chose from hits songs "Shout For Joy," "Part-time Lover" and "Trapped In A Stairway." Female contestants picked from "Mambobola," "I'm So Excited" and "Ain't Nothing Gonna Keep Me From You." Only 40 were asked to stay on for the third day.

"Work is more enjoyable now," said Francis. "When I picked my top 24, I asked myself these questions: Will I want my photo to be taken with these contestants? Will I line up to ask for their autograph?"

The first Philippine Idol will sign a recording contract with Sony BMG Records.

Star material

"There are very good ones, but I'm not sure if their albums will sell," said Francis. "We're looking for a good singer who is also star material. The champion doesn't necessarily sell the most CDs. Sometimes, the runner-up outsells the champ. ["American Idol 2's"] Clay Aiken outsold Ruben Studdard."

Villena gave these tips to the hopefuls: "Practice. Find ways to develop your talent. And, most important, you shouldn't sound like anyone else. I encourage you to do your own interpretation of every song."

The musical director said he was amazed at the amount of talent at the theater auditions and attributed it to the popularity of the "Idol" show. "I'm glad I'm not a judge," he said. "I can just imagine how stressed Ryan, Francis and Pilita are."

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