Over the weekend, just after the airing of Idol Philippines where the top six boys were selected and joined six other Idol hopefuls who first secured their seats in the Top 12, the batch of young singers was introduced to the entertainment press.
Most of them looked shy when they were being called individually especially when the host asked them to tell something about themselves and to sing a few lines to impress the crowd made up of bloggers and print journalists.
During the event, it was revealed that for their first challenge, they are going to be mentored by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab. They will perform songs composed by the multi-awarded conductor and musician.
As you may already know, six male and six female aspiring singers are proceeding to the live round where they have to perform weekly in front of a live audience and impress the judges and the voting public.
Making it to the list are Dan Ombao, who is fighting for his second chance of becoming a singer, and Elle Ocampo, who is known for her unique style of singing and artistic expression.Fatima Louise also stays in the competition as she proves she is worthy of the coveted title, along with Lance Busa, whose singing experience abroad makes him a tough contender to beat.
Also a step closer to their dreams are Lucas Garcia and Matty Juniosa, who both dedicate their fight for their doting mothers; Miguel Odron, who hails from the US but went home to pursue his dreams; and Rachel May Libres, a youth ambassadress who possesses beauty and impressive vocal ability.
With his unique voice and notable story, Renwick Benito also secures a slot in the Top 12, along with honor student Sheland Faelnar, who is mostly noted for her show-stopping vocals. Completing the list are Trish Bonilla, who, just like her mother, is a vocal powerhouse and Zephanie Dimaranan, one of the youngest contenders in the competition.
The Top 12’s journey will get tougher in the live round now that the viewing public has the power to vote for their bets each week. Meanwhile, the Idol hopeful who gets the lowest votes will be eliminated and will no longer continue in the competition.
Who among the Top 12 will stay in the competition and make it to the finals?
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Laugh your heart out
It’s been a while since the last time I saw a really engaging local comedy movie. And it’s definitely the reason why I lowered my expectations when I watched the AiAi delas Alas and Bayani Agbayani starrer film, Feelennial.
Explaining what the title of the movie means, AiAi said that it’s a portmanteau of “feeling millennials,” a phrase that describes “titos” and “titas” who act like their younger counterparts.
To say that the stars brought fun in the movie is an understatement. I didn’t even plan to sit through the whole movie, but I did and like the rest of the audience in the cinema, I was laughing from the beginning until the closing credits appeared on the screen.
Ai-Ai plays the role of Madame Bato-bato, a rich single mom who has everything she needs except the attention of her only son Nico, played by actor-model Arvic Tan. She tries to do the activities that her millennial son is into to gain the latter’s attention. In one of her feelennial activities—online dating, she meets Chito (Bayani’s character), a rich bachelor who recently won a huge sum via lotto jackpot.
Their first encounter doesn’t turn out too well, and what ensues is a flurry of mishaps and misadventures, pitting AiAi and Bayani into funny, yet thought-provoking situations on how romance and family dynamic has changed in today’s society.
Directed by one of GMA 7’s resident directors, Rechie del Carmen, Feelennial is produced by Cignal Entertainment, the original content division of the Philippine’s #1 Pay TV provider, Cignal TV, and Pops Fernandez’s DSL Productions, which marks its first venture into film production after organizing successful concerts for over 30 years.