Philippine Idol

Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol logo
Created by	Simon Fuller
Starring	Ryan Agoncillo Heart Evangelista Francis Magalona Pilita Corrales Ryan Cayabyab
Country of origin	Philippines
Production
Running time	Varies
Original release
Network	Associated Broadcasting Company
Release	July 30, 2006

Philippine Idol is the franchise of the Idol series in the Philippines. The franchise was awarded by Fremantle Media, 19 Entertainment and CKX, Inc. to the Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC), which also broadcasts American Idol and World Idol in the Philippines. Just like the premise of the original show Pop Idol, Philippine Idol aims to find the best young singer in the country.

Local television personality Ryan Agoncillo is the host of the program. Ryan Cayabyab (musical composer), Pilita Corrales (singer, known as Asia's Queen of Songs) and Francis Magalona (rapper and producer) are the judges of the show. Agoncillo, Corrales and Magalona auditioned to be a part of the program, while Cayabyab was chosen by the program's producers.

First season (2006)

Philippine Idol
Philippine Idol finalists (with dates of elimination)
Season 1 (2006)
Cherry Ann "Apple" Chiu
Armarie Lourdes "Arms" Cruz
Giancarlo "Gian" Magdangal
Jan Kurt Nieto
Jellica Marie "Jeli" Mateo
Kenneth "Ken" Dingle
Maureen "Mau" Marcelo
Miguel "Mig" Mendoza
Paula Patricia "Pow" Chavez
Reymond Sajor	October 15
Paul Andrae "Drae" Ybañez	October 8
Stephanie "Stef" Lazaro	October 8

File:Philidolhostjudges.jpg

Philippine Idol host Ryan Agoncillo with judges Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales and Francis Magalona.

Auditions for the first season were held in Manila on June 3, Davao on June 23 and in Cebu on July 4. Fast-track screenings were also held at satellite venues in SM Supermalls located in key cities such as Baguio City, Lucena City, Batangas City, Iloilo City, and Cagayan de Oro City on May and June. Several fast-track auditions were also done in cities without an SM Mall such as Dagupan City, Ilagan, Isabela, Tacloban City, and Zamboanga City. Applicants will be asked to fill up necessary forms and perform two songs before a set of judges, usually from the local radio and music indutries.

Successful applicants of the Fast-Tracks will each be given a pass for the audition proper. ABC and its media partners Radio Mindanao Network and Manila Broadcasting Company provided free transportation, food and lodging to those who will pass the main auditions.

A total of 169 aspirants have received the Gold Pass from the three main judges. One-hundred nineteen (119) are from Luzon and Metro Manila, while 17 and 33 are from Davao and Cebu respectively. However, according to an article in Philippine Daily Inquirer, three Gold Passers have backed out before the Theater Rounds. The reasons for backing out range from family problems to accepting an overseas job offer. The remaining contenders battled each other out during the Theater Eliminations that were held in Cultural Center of the Philippines from August 1 to 3. They were billeted at Bayview Park Hotel, where the provincial Gold Passers arrived via first-class in Super Ferry while the Luzon contenders were picked-up in selected SM Malls. It is from the Theater Eliminations that the "Top 24" finalists were selected.

Initially, the program is scheduled to begin on July 29, 2006, but ABC moved it to July 30, 2006 (a Sunday) to strengthen their Sunday line-up, when other local stations have talk shows and game shows on that day.

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Idol teaser

Auditions

The auditions were held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Bigfoot Entertainment’s International Academy of Film and Television in Cebu City, and in Waterfront Insular Hotel at Davao City.

Failed

This is a list of notable contestants who failed at the auditions:

• Ann Margarette Betia - Cayabyab questioned her performance of "Fallin'" as too much of Alicia Keys. She walks out crying, saying to the camera that if she won't become the Philippine Idol, she will become the American Idol. Auditioned in Manila.
• Christopher Lumbab - he danced as he enters the audition room. After singing his piece, his happy face suddenly shed tears, lamenting about how he lost his job because he skipped a day just to audition. Although the judges did not made him through the next round, he tried to lift his spirits by dancing as he exited the room. Auditioned in Cebu.
• Janrie Saplad - he tried to breakdance while singing The Calling's "Wherever You Will Go". Cayabyab asked who his choreographer was so he could kill him. Auditioned in Cebu.
• Jawomar "Charlie" Maligayo - in his interview he "want(s) to dedicated" his audition to Holly, Hillary Duff, Cueshe, and the whole Cavite State University. Upon audition, he gave letters to the judges and refused to talk until he is instructed to sing. His rendition of Selena's "Dreaming Of You" did not get the judges' nod. Auditioned in Manila.
• Jonard Moneva - a truck driver who is also an aspiring songwriter. He sang one of his novelty compositions about heartache and suicide for the judges, but Corrales advised him to pursue a career in Cebuano songwriting instead. Auditioned in Cebu.
• Josemaria Seno - works as a production assistant for International Academy for Film and Television which is the venue for the Cebu Auditions. His snap-happy rendition of "The Way You Look Tonight" prompted Cayabyab to stand up and instructed him to stand still as he sang. There it was realized that his voice had flat notes. After ejection, he claimed that it is "inebitabol" for him to be famous.
• Julieto Alquizar - made an ironically bad version of Simple Plan's "Perfect" and begged to the judges in vain to give him another chance until he was whisked away by security personnel. Auditioned in Davao.
• Justice Regondola - credited as the first ever person to audition on the show as evidenced by his number 00001. Auditioned in Manila.
• Kyrley Sumagaysay - came from far-flung Zamboanga del Sur with nothing more than P1,300 (around US$25). Although her voice has potential, the judges decided that she is not Idol material. The dramatic shots of her interview (such as staring at the sunset, or wind blowing on her face as she exits the venue) became a highlight. Auditioned in Cebu.
• Michelle Ortuoste - this Sultan Kudarat native tried to impress the judges by singing an operatic do-re-mi as she entered the audition room of Cebu. She gave an opera rendition of The Lord's Prayer, but failed to impress the judges. Auditioned in Cebu.
• Neil Simpson Antiquesa - his version of Beyonce's "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" led Magalona to conclude that Neil's voice sounded like a cross between a bird and a goat. Auditioned in Davao.
• Rolando Lim - messed up the lyrics of Gloria Estefan's "Conga", prompting Magalona to sing "no way, no way" to the said tune. Auditioned in Manila.
• Winston Ko - a vocal impersonator who made a good impression of singer Jaya, but his interpretation of Lani Misalucha's "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" (English: I Will Just Love You Tomorrow) was so awful, Cayabyab did not know what the song is. Auditioned in Davao.

Passed

Philippine International Convention Center at Pasay City, the location of the Manila auditions.

Below is a list of the notable contestants that qualified for the second round, but did not pass the theater rounds at one point or another. They are divided on the location of their auditions.

The full list those who passed can be found here.

Manila

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Jhonalene Sison, also known as Anime Girl, during her Manila Auditions.

• Bench Cruz - Came in with a cowboy get-up and admitted admiring Garth Brooks. He sang Tom Jones' version of "Kiss".
• Jeffrey Santos - made a surprising entrance by playing his trumpet before giving a just performance of "Sugod" (English: "Charge!") by Sandwich. Though he did not go beyond the first stages of the theater round, he still appears in the show through I ♥ Philippine Idol (see below) basically as a "correspondent" (in reality, as comic relief). He should not be confused with the brother of Judy Ann Santos, who not only has the same name, but is an actor.
• Marcello "Markki" Stroem - gave a flawless rendition of "Anak" by Freddie Aguilar despite being profiled as someone good enough for American Idol. However, in the theater eliminations, he quit from the competition proper because he had to catch a flight to Switzerland to continue his studies.
• Michelle Belmonte - she was accompanied by her Austrian boyfriend. She wore black and did some superb dancing with her rendition of Diana King's "Shy Guy".
• Rowell Quizon - a grandson of veteran comedian Dolphy who gave a good rendition of "Lately" by Stevie Wonder.

Cebu

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Kenneth Paul Alonzo, a transexual who goes by the name "Yova," during his Cebu Auditions.

• Brian Sombrero - a boxer enrolee who came from Metro Manila who sang George Michael's "Careless Whisper".
• Edwin Lotivio, Jr. - a seaman by profession. He sang Josh Groban's hit "You're Still You" whom he dedicated to his mother.
• Fred Abaquita, Jr. - a barber by profession. He promised himself to give Corrales's family free haircuts if he would pass his audition. His audition piece was "I'd Rather" by Luther Vandross.
• James Yebes - he auditioned by accident, since he was supposed to enroll at International Academy For Film and Television which is the audition venue for Visayas leg; sang a soulful rendition of "Superstar".
• Jefferson Gayo - a bald-headed contestant who sang a song in Cebuano.
• Lenebelle Padillo - profiled as an extreme sports nut. Delivered a flawless rendition of "I Will Survive." Her brother John Paul also auditioned, but didn't pass because his off-tune rendition of N'Sync's "Pop".
• Randolph Libres, M.D. - a medical practitioner who sang a classic Filipino ballad "Ikaw Lamang" (English: Only You). Magalona complemented his clear vocal quality, but Cayabyab noticed that he had pitch problems.
• Ricardo Sabanal III - gave out his all through one of the songs in the musical Jesus Christ, Superstar entitled "Gethsemane".
• Zandra Tan - a dancesport competitor by profession, she belted out an otherwise pop tune "No Ordinary Love" by Jennifer Love Hewitt.

Davao

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Siblings Armando and Armarie Cruz narrated their sad story about their celebrity father Muhammad Faizal during their Davao auditions.

• Ann Quitoriano - croons out a soulful version of "One Hello" by Randi Crawford. Cayabyab noted her tendency to fall on the low notes.
• Archie Regencia - traveled a total of 18 hours from Dipolog City to Davao. He sang "Hello" by Lionel Ritchie.
• Armando Cruz, Jr. - son of late character actor Muhammad Faizal who auditioned with sister Armarie (see below). Though both made separate audition takes, they were together to hear their advancement.
• Cjarah Perpetua (pronounced sihara) - gave a good performance of "River Deep, Mountain High." Her bisexual husband joined her to hear her advancement.
• Jaime Miguel Barcelon - an alumnus of Juilliard School in New York. Came to Manila but missed the auditions. Flew to Davao and rendered his audition piece "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".
• John Peter Paul Carriedo - sang Stevie Wonder's "My Cherie Amour". Cayabyab gave him a "yes" despite his pitch problems.
• Joseph John Temporal - a Mass Communications student who auditioned for financial reasons. His rendition of Martin Nievera's "The Promise" was disapproved by Cayabyab, but he was outvoted by Corrales and Magalona.
• Maria Amor Bacharpa - came in the auditions in a cowgirl get-up, which looks mismatched with her song choice "I Believe In You And Me" by Whitney Houston.
• Myla Gracia Abales - a single mother from Cagayan de Oro City who sang "Dito Ba?" (English: Right Here?) by Kuh Ledesma.
• Ritchie Asibal - auditioned in Manila but failed. He flew to Davao and gave a soulful rendition of "Go the Distance."

Theater round

The Theater round of the show was held on August 1, 2006 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. A total of 169 contestants from the nationwide auditions were gathered in the venue for their second step to become one of the 24 finalists for the chance to become the first Philippine Idol.

The contestants are grouped into 11 with 15 members where each one will perform in acapella. Right then and there after all the 15 rendered their songs, the judges selected who would go home and who would advance to the next round.

From 169 contestants, 84 were chosen to proceed to the next test—the group performance. Each group has 3 all-male/all-female members.

From 84 contenders, the list was trimmed down to 40, and eventually the judges selected the top 24 who would compete for the live show semi-final round. The list of the top 84 can be found here.

The top 24 was announced on August 27, 2006. They are listed under the Semi-Finals section.

Semifinal round

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SM Megamall

The 24 semi-finalists, announced August 27, 2006. After the semifinalists were selected and divided by gender, the two groups will alternately perform at SM Megamall Cinema 3, where a stage was specially built for the semi-finals round. The top 4 contestants of each group will enter the Top 12. Then ten (as opposed to all) of the remaining 16 will then perform in a Wildcard round, with the Top 4 completing the Top 12. This was announced after the second semi-finals night.

The following were not called to be among the finalists during the semi-finals and were shut out of the wild card round, therefore eliminating them completely from the competition.

• Freddie Cabael, Jr. - is searching for his long-lost African-American father. He gave an "original" performance of Gary Valenciano's "Shout For Joy". Auditioned in Cebu, but was shown together with the Manila auditions. Sang "Macho Guwapito" (Rico J. Puno) at the semifinals.

• Christian Masaga - is a medical technologist at the Philippine General Hospital. He used to be a stage performer and a band member. Auditioned in Cebu. Sang "Have I Told You Lately?" (Rod Stewart) at the semifinals.

• Robert Bernadas - says he joined Idol to break his family’s “chain of poverty.” This Cebuano is also into drawing, sketching, painting and acting. Auditioned in Cebu. Sang "Take a Look Inside My Heart" (David Benoit) at the semifinals.

• Erika Jill "EJ" Bautista - has a hearing impairment after her eardrums were damaged in an accident. She sang "Mahiwaga" by Society of Seven, in which her late father, Gary Bautista, was a member. Auditioned in Manila. Sang "Paalam Na" (Rachel Alejandro) at the semifinals.

• Abigail "Gail" Blanco - was singing professionally at the age of 12 in her hometown in Cebu. In Manila, she did commercial jingles. She is also the wife of PBA basketball player Dondon Hontiveros. Auditioned in Manila. Sang "What's Love Got to Do with It?" (Tina Turner) at the semifinals.

• Rina Lei "Ynah" Pangan - became a finalist of the Metropop Song Festival in 1998. She bagged the grand prize in ABC 5’s Singgaling ni Pops on the same year. Auditioned in Manila. Sang "Halik" (English: Kiss) by Aegis at the semifinals.

Wildcard round

The following were chosen by the judges to perform in the wild card round, but did not make it to the Final 12. The announcement was made public on September 11, 2006.

• Jasper Onyx Culala - is a philosophy graduate who sang his way around Europe as one of the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors. - Auditioned in Manila.
  1. Semi-finals: "Windmills of Your Mind" (Dusty Springfield)
  2. Wildcard Round: "Wildflower" (Skylark/Color Me Badd)

• Joseph Astor - is from Angeles City, Pampanga. He has a strong resemblance to actor-heartthrob Piolo Pascual on certain angles. He is a member of the band "Not by Accident" doing gigs in Pampanga. Auditioned in Manila.
  1. Semi-finals: "Why Can’t It Be" (Rannie Raymundo)
  2. Wildcard Round: "Maria Maria" (Santana and The Product G&B)

• Ramirr Grepo - is a voice teacher at Yamaha Music School and a band member in Baguio City. One of his compositions was adjudged Best Jingle in Red Horse “MuzikLaban,” a competition for unsigned bands. Auditioned in Manila.
  1. Semi-finals: "Bed of Roses" (Bon Jovi)
  2. Wildcard Round: "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith)

• Ira Patricia Marasigan - is the daughter of theater artists Dennis Marasigan and Irma Adlawan. She sang "Route 66" which was a song popularized by Nat King Cole. Auditioned in Manila.
  1. Semi-finals: "Mr. Melody" (Natalie Cole)
  2. Wildcard Round: "In My Life" (Patti Austin)

• Christina "Ting" Otero - is a medical representative from a pharmaceutical company in Davao. Auditioned in Davao.
  1. Semi-finals: "Come In From the Rain" (Diana Ross)
  2. Wildcard Round: "Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan" (Jolina Magdangal)

• Yasmin Rose "Suey" Medina - lead singer for SILK Band, took time off from singing to get married. Auditioned in Manila.
  1. Semi-finals: "Almost Over You" (Sheena Easton)
  2. Wildcard Round: "Best of My Love" (The Emotions)

Final round

The Finals started on September 30, 2006. The elimination process in this leg is one by one. As a bonus for the finalists' achievement, it was confirmed that all 12 idols will record an album compilation of OPM songs, in which each will contribute a track. The finalists are:

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The Final 12, as they appeared in an advertisment for the program.

• Paula Patricia "Pow" Chavez
  1. Semi-finals: "Ikaw Lamang" (Janno Gibbs/Zsa Zsa Padilla) — Qualified for finals, 9/10/2006
  2. Finals week 1:"Nakapagtataka" (Hajji Alejandro/Rachel Alejandro)
  3. Finals week 2:"You Got It Bad" (Usher)
  4. Finals week3: "Til I Met You" (Kuh Ledesma)

• Cherry Ann "Apple" Chiu
  1. Semi-finals: "Rhythm of the Street" (Patti Austin) — Qualified for finals, 9/10/2006
  2. Finals week 1:"Ngayon" (Basil Valdez)
  3. Finals week 2:"Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin)
  4. Finals week 3:"Sometimes You Just Know" (Jaya)

• Armarie Lourdes "Arms" Cruz
  1. Semi-finals: "Superwoman" (Karyn White) — Qualified for finals, 9/10/2006
  2. Finals week 1:"Araw-araw, Gabi-gabi" (Didith Reyes)
  3. Finals week 2:"Respect" (Aretha Franklin)
  4. Finals week 3:"Anak" (Freddie Aguilar)

• Kenneth "Ken" Dingle
  1. Semi-finals: "More Today Than Yesterday" (Spiral Starecase)
  2. Wildcards: "A House is Not a Home" (Dionne Warwick/Luther Vandross) — Qualified for finals, 9/17/2006
  3. Finals week 1: "Di Na Natuto" (Gary Valenciano)
  4. Finals week 2:"What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye)
  5. Finals week 3:"Magsimula Ka" (Leo Valdez)

• Giancarlo "Gian" Magdangal
  1. Semi-finals: "Footloose" (Kenny Loggins)
  2. Wildcards: "Lately" (Stevie Wonder) — Qualified for finals, 9/17/2006
  3. Finals week 1: "Himala" (Rivermaya)
  4. Finals week 2: "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (James Brown)
  5. Finals week 3: "Give Me A Chance" (Ric Segreto)

• Maureen "Mau" Marcelo
  1. Semi-finals: "Sweet Love" (Anita Baker)
  2. Wildcards: "'Til My Heartaches End" (Ella May Saison) — Qualified for finals, 9/17/2006
  3. Finals week 1: "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" (Ariel Rivera/Regine Velasquez)
  4. Finals week 2:"Crazy in Love" (Beyonce)
  5. Finals week 3:"Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi" (Dulce)

• Jellica Marie "Jeli" Mateo
  1. Semi-finals: "Bridges/Travessia" (English/Portuguese/Filipino version, Sergio Mendes/Kevyn Lettau) — Qualified for finals, 9/10/2006
  2. Finals week 1: "Iisa Pa Lamang" (Joey Albert)
  3. Finals week 2: "Always Be My Baby" (Mariah Carey)
  4. Finals week 3: "Isang Mundo, Isang Awit" (Leah Navarro)

• Miguel "Mig" Mendoza
  1. Semi-finals: "Highways of My Life" (The Isley Brothers) — Qualified for finals, 9/3/2006
  2. Finals week 1: "Next In Line" (After Image)
  3. Finals week 2: "Let's Stay Together" (Al Green)
  4. Finals week 3: "Swerte Swerte Lang" (Joel Navarro)

• Jan Kurt Nieto
  1. Semi-finals: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon and Garfunkel) — Qualified for finals, 9/3/2006
  2. Finals week 1: "Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka" (Basil Valdez)
  3. Finals week 2:"Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" (The Spinners)
  4. Finals week 3: "Umagang Kay Ganda" (New Minstrels)

• Reymond Sajor
  1. Semi-finals: "Tell Her About It" (Billy Joel) — Qualified for finals, 9/3/2006
  2. Finals week 1: "Hindi Magbabago" (Randy Santiago)
  3. Finals week 2: "I'd Rather" (Luther Vandross)
  4. Finals week 3: "Be My Lady" (Pedritto Montaire/Martin Nievera) — Eliminated, 10/15/2006

• Paul Andrae "Drae" Ybañez
  1. Semi-finals: "What You Won’t Do for Love" (Bobby Caldwell) — Qualified for finals, 9/3/2006
  2. Finals week 1: "Hang On" (Gary Valenciano)
  3. Finals week 2:"You're Still A Young Man" (Tower of Power) — Eliminated, 10/8/2006

• Stephanie "Stef" Lazaro
  1. Semi-finals: "Home" (Diana Ross)
  2. Wildcards: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Bonnie Tyler) — Qualified for finals, 9/17/2006
  3. Finals week 1: "Pangako Sa 'Yo" (Rey Valera)
  4. Finals week 2: "Proud Mary" (Tina Turner) — Eliminated, 10/8/2006

Weekly theme

• September 30 - Original Pilipino Music songs dedicated to special someones
• October 7 - Soul / R&B
• October 14 - Songs from the Metropop Song Festival
• October 21 - Filipino rock

Guest judges

Due to Magalona's commitments in Europe, the program enlisted five judges in his absence. Each judge has some relation to the theme of that particular week.

• October 14 - Hajji Alejandro (the interpreter of the first winning song of the Metropop Song Festival)

Results summary

Legend

Safe

Bottom 2/3/4

Eliminated

Week number:		*1	2	3
Performance date:		9/30	10/7	10/14
Elimination date:		10/1	10/8	10/15
Place	Contestant	Result
	Jan Kurt Nieto	Safe	Safe	Safe
	Ken Dingle	Safe	Safe	Safe
	Miguel Mendoza	Safe	Safe	Safe
	Apple Chiu	Safe	Safe	Safe
	Jeli Mateo	Safe*	Safe	Safe
	Arms Cruz	Safe*	Safe	Safe
	Pow Chavez	Safe	Btm 4	Safe
	Mau Marcelo	Safe*	Safe	Btm 3
	Gian Magdangal	Safe	Btm 4	Btm 3
10th	Reymond Sajor	Safe	Safe	Elim
11th	Drae Ybañez	Safe	Elim
12th	Stef Lazaro	Safe	Elim

Notes:
Week 1: No contestants were eliminated on Week 1, due to disrupted telephone and mobile phone services in many areas in Luzon caused by Typhoon Milenyo. In that weekend's results show, the finalists still went through the scare of the familiar elimination routine. Agoncillo randomly chose Mau Marcelo, Jeli Mateo and Armarie Cruz as the "bottom three" before announcing that no one will be eliminated. The reason he did so was because there were no official results at all to be announced to the public, according to sources from the network; the votes were not yet counted at the time.

Director for Creative and Entertainment Production Perci Intalan also clarified that the three girls who stayed on stage were not the bottom three. Intalan said, "We were not allowed to announce who the bottom three were because the votes will be carried over next week and it might affect the voting if people know who the bottom three were."

Week 2: As consolation for the previous week, when no one was eliminated, two contenders were eliminated in the same week.

Kakaibang Idol

On September 23, 2006, a special edition was held for the contestants with the most notable auditions who didn't make the performance rounds. The special edition was called the search for "Kakaibang Idol" (a very different Idol) because the seven auditioners' takes made an impact among viewers of the show. The following (in order of performance in the show), along with nicknames, are:

• Jhonalene "Jhona" Sison - a band vocalist who wore an all-green animé-inspired outfit and sang a pompous version of the Voltes V theme (ボルテスＶのうた, "Voltes V no Uta" by Mitsuko Horie, Columbia Yurikago-kai, and Koorogi '73) before giving a song the judges could understand ("Moonraker" by Shirley Bassey). Auditioned in Manila and passed, but was eliminated halfway through the theater rounds.
• John Jerrico "Jeck" Perey - gave the judges and host some hula lessons before he gave his low-toned, yet original performance of Josh Groban's "Broken Vow". Auditioned in Manila and passed, but was eliminated at some point in the theater rounds.
• Lalaine Enriquez - wore black while giving an energetic performance of "Babae Po Ako ('Di Ako Bakla)" (I'm a Girl, I'm Not Gay) by Tuesday Vargas. Auditioned in Manila and passed, but was eliminated during the theater rounds.
• Leonard Ocampo - wore his "lucky" trench coat, but ended up pleading to the judges, especially an infuriated Cayabyab, for another chance because of his mediocre version of VST & Co.'s "Sumayaw, Sumunod" ("Dance and Follow"). Auditioned in Manila, but failed (as already implied). His trench coat get-up made him one of the contenders.
• Sheryll Ann "Shane" Romulo - She sang a very choreographed version of "Huwag Mo Akong Ligawan (Kuya, 'Wag Po)" ("Don't Date With Me (Master, Don't!)"; "Kuya," literally "elder brother," can mean a maid's male employer in this sense) which actually sounded like she had just breathed helium. Auditioned in Manila, but failed; it was shown only in parts. She was later picked because of the sheer hilarity of the audition.
• Win John Dacay - his mouthful rendition of "Joyful, Joyful" was masked by his sudden dance moves and frequent splits. Auditioned in Cebu, but failed. He was even being compared to entertainer Mystica because of his splits.
• Kenneth Paul "Yova" Alonzo - a male transexual whose nickname is derived from "Yobab", which is baboy or "pig" spelled backwards. He auditioned wearing a purple parachute dress; impressed the judges with his soulful yet controlled rendition of Whitney Houston's "Why Does It Hurt So Bad". Auditioned in Cebu and passed, but was shut out of the top 24. He was still chosen to be compete for the "Kakaibang Idol" edition for his resiliency in singing despite the ambiguity of his gender.

The songs that they each used during the auditions were the same ones which they performed that night except for Perey who performed Lara Fabian's version of "Broken Vow" (he used the "his name" lyric rather than the "her name" lyric in Groban's version). Also, most of the performances were accompanied by back-up dancers, something the semi-finalists' performances never had.

The twelve finalists were present that night, but they only performed at the beginning and end of the show. Likewise, Magalona, Corrales, and Cayabyab took a back seat, appearing in clips taking their "time off" and near the end of the show. Taking over jury duties that night were comedic performers Ethel Booba, Arnell Ignacio, and Tuesday Vargas.

Although that night was a breather night for the finalists, voting was still active, involving viewers to pick the performer who should be proclaimed "Kakaibang Idol." The next night, with the presence of the finalists, Magalona, Corrales, and Cayabyab, Yova Alonzo was chosen by the viewers as "Kakaibang Idol."

I ♥ Philippine Idol

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Teaser ad of Philippine Idol Exclusive's teaser which shows Heart Evangelista

I ♥ Philippine Idol (formerly Philippine Idol: Exclusive) is a thirty-minute daily program that features updates, news and behind-the-scene footages of the show. Since its premiere on August 14, 2006, a male voice talent (who also voices the plugs for ABC programs) has been facilitating the program, with appearances by Jmie Mempin who is also a production associate of Philippine Idol.

Heart Evangelista took over the show on September 4, 2006. Accordingly, Philippine Idol: Exclusive was renamed I Love Philippine Idol with the heart shape reflecting the new host.

Controversies

• A fast-track audition that was to be held at SM City Sta. Mesa was cancelled leading to complaints from hopefuls and parents. After several hours of waiting, a representative of ABC-5 arrived and relocated each of the 160 frustrated applicants to other scheduled Fast-Track auditions.
• Several Filipinos living in Mindanao reacted negatively to what the Philippine Idol judges said after a low Gold Pass turnout at the Davao Main Auditions, with Corrales (a Cebuana herself) was quoted as: "Davao is not the place to look for an Idol. All the good ones are in Cebu." Corrales later clarified in the Wildcard Round that she said such a statement because of the low turnout in the Davao auditions and the even lower Gold Pass output; she further said that "Davao's best talents" might probably have already auditioned in Manila.
• Another controversy came out when ABC confirmed that a Gold Passer (later identified in the show's official website as Czarina Rosales ) was pirated by ABS-CBN's Pinoy Dream Academy, the Philippine franchise of Star Academy. Sources said that some employees of ABS-CBN even approached a judge to “just let (some of) the contestants go.” This came after news that ABS-CBN wanted to co-produce Philippine Idol with ABC, but was denied. However, ABS-CBN, through a letter sent to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, the newspaper that published the said report, denied the allegations, saying that they successfully staged competitions without poaching contestants from other contests and would fully respect a contestant's choice in which competition one would join. Auditions for Pinoy Dream Academy were already held before the theater rounds. In the aftermath of the "talent piracy" issue, ABC sent a formal letter of complaint to ABS-CBN, alleging that three Gold Passers of Philippine Idol became contestants of rival Pinoy Dream Academy. ABS-CBN did not comment on the letter, as neither of the three talents questioned became a finalist of that show.
• Upon the announcement of the Top 4 Male finalists, many viewers of the show had negative reactions regarding its format. Some were shocked, some disappointed, and others were left complaining. Apparently, two of the contestants that were favored by the judges based on their performances failed to make the cut. Instead, two others who had rather bad reviews from the jurors took the spot. Thus, many critics concluded that Philippine Idol is just another "popularity contest" rather than a singing competition. One of the judges, Ryan Cayabyab, mentioned that people should not be "kampante" or confident regarding any of the contestants status on the show. Instead, he advised them to keep on voting for their favorites because of the show's factors such as its uncertainty. This criticism about the show being a mere "popularity contest" was also reflected during the Women's Semi-finals, as talent critics believed that two contenders that failed the cut should had have made the Top 4. The critics also noted that the viewers did not take heed to the judges' remarks about the contender's performance. Columnist Nestor U. Torre of the Philippine Daily Inquirer stated in his article about the format that the results revealed that viewers were not yet knowledgeable or objective enough to pick the first Idol and he also pointed the compromised voting on "subjective campaigns" from some of the semi-finalists' backers. Torre would later use the reason of the other finalists' "vote-generating machines" in a later article against the show's mainly SMS-based voting system in his column. This fear can be supported on a report published by the Manila Bulletin about some contestants buying their way to the top, eliminating Ybañez and Lazaro-Bainbrige. Cayabyab divulged that he didn't expect the way people voted and would see if that trend will continue in the next week. He admitted however that it was all part of the game.
• During the Results Show of the Wildcard Round, Marcelo jokingly said that Philippine Idol is "not a singing contest" but rather as "pagandahan" (beauty contest), which received a thunderous applause and laughter (especially from Cayabyab). Her statement was interpreted by fans in two ways: as a way of venting out her frustrations in the voting process; or as a means of sarcasm. In a later interview at I ♥ Philippine Idol: Exclusive!, she said that she did not mean anything.

External links

Official sites:

• Philippine Idol Website
• ABC-5's Philippine Idol Forum

Fan sites:

• Philippine-Idol
• Philippine-Idol Forum