Philippine Idol finalists

The "Philippine Idol" Finalists consisted of 12 aspiring singers who competed for "Philippine Idol". They were selected after several stages of audition and theater eliminations, and succeeded in earning a spot in the Finals by popular votes from the viewers.

The Final Round started on September 30, 2006, wherein each finalist sang one to three songs under a specified theme and received comments from each of the judges. The viewers voted for their favorites by dialing a toll-free telephone number or sending an SMS as many times as possible until 8:30 p.m. the following day, which was shortened to two hours on Finals Week 5. One finalist was eliminated during the Results Show every week. However, there were special circumstances wherein there were no eliminations during the a Results Show, but would eventually eliminate two finalists on the following week.

The 12 Finalists also recorded a compilation album entitled "Philippine Idol: The Final 12", consisting of OPM songs they have performed during the first Finals Week.

The remaining 3 contenders--namely Gian Magdangal, Jan Nieto, and Mau Marcelo (in order of performance)--battled it out at the Finale, instead of the usual 2 contestants in most "Idol" shows, held on December 10, 2006, at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Finalists

Maureen "Mau" Marcelo, from Lucena City, Quezon Province. A "veteran" in amateur singing competitions, she sang "Dahil Naroon Ka" (You Were Always There) by Jaya during the Luzon Main Auditions. She was dubbed as the "Soul Diva" during the competition, and won the title on December 10, 2006
*Semi-finals: "Sweet Love" (Anita Baker)
*Wildcards: "'Til My Heartaches End" (Ella May Saison) - "Qualified for Finals, September 17"
*Finals week 1: "Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin" (Ariel Rivera/Regine Velasquez) - "Hot Spot, October 1"
*Finals week 2: "Crazy in Love" (Beyoncé)
*Finals week 3: "Ako ang Nasawi, Ako ang Nagwagi" (Dulce) - "Bottom 3, October 15"
*Finals week 4: "So Slow" (Freestyle)
*Finals week 5: "I Will Always Love You" (Whitney Houston)
*Finals week 6: "Shy Guy" (Diana King)
*Finals week 7: "Mahal Naman Kita" (Jamie Rivera) - "Bottom 3, November 13"
*Finals week 8: "Diamonds Are Forever" (Shirley Bassey, from "Diamonds Are Forever")
*Finals week 8: "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (Jennifer Holliday, from "Dreamgirls")
*Finals week 9: "My Funny Valentine" (Diane Reeves)
*Finals week 9: "Waray Waray" (Eartha Kitt) - "Hot Spot, November 27"
*Finals week 11: "Love Takes Time" (Mariah Carey)
*Finals week 11: "Balut" (New Minstrels)
*Finals week 11: "Try It on My Own" (Whitney Houston) - "Winner, December 10"

Jan Kurt Anthony Nieto, from Antipolo City, Rizal Province. A former Customer Marketing Manager for Unilever Philippines, he sang "Limang Dipang Tao" (A Five-Dipa ["Dipa" is an old unit of measurement used in the Philippines, defined as the length of a man's two arms raised on the sides.] -Long Queue of People)--a composition of Cayabyab--during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was dubbed as the "Hunky Idol" during the competition, and was one of two runners-up as announced on December 10.
*Semi-finals: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (Simon and Garfunkel) - "Qualified for Finals, September 3"
*Finals week 1: "Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka" (Basil Valdez)
*Finals week 2: "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love" (The Spinners)
*Finals week 3: "Umagang Kay Ganda" (New Minstrels)
*Finals week 4: "Tuloy Pa Rin" (Neocolours)
*Finals week 5: "Kailangan Kita" (Ogie Alcasid)
*Finals week 6: "Livin' la Vida Loca" (Ricky Martin)
*Finals week 7: "You Are My Song" (Martin Nievera) - "Bottom 3, November 13"
*Finals week 8: "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?" (Ogie Alcasid, from "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?")
*Finals week 8: "Corner of the Sky" (John Rubinstein/Paul Jones, from "Pippin") - "Bottom 3, November 20"
*Finals week 9: "Beyond the Sea" (Bobby Darin)
*Finals week 9: "The Way You Look Tonight" (Frank Sinatra) - "Hot Spot, November 27"
*Finals week 11: "Say That You Love Me" (Martin Nievera)
*Finals week 11: "Quien Sera (Sway)" (Michael Bublé)
*Finals week 11: "Evergreen" (Westlife) - "Runner-up, December 10"

Giancarlo "Gian" Magdangal, from Parañaque City, Metro Manila. A former boy band member and musical theatre actor, he sang "The Last Time" by Eric Benét during the Visayas Main Auditions. He was dubbed as the "Livewire Idol" during the competition, and was the other runner-up as announced on December 10.
*Semi-finals: "Footloose" (Kenny Loggins)
*Wildcards: "Lately" (Stevie Wonder) — "Qualified for Finals, September 17"
*Finals week 1: "Himala" (Rivermaya)
*Finals week 2: "I Got You (I Feel Good)" (James Brown) - "Bottom 4, October 8"
*Finals week 3: "Give Me a Chance" (Ric Segreto) - "Bottom 3, October 15"
*Finals week 4: "Pare Ko"? My Buddy (The Eraserheads)
*Finals week 5: "Superstar" (Luther Vandross)
*Finals week 6: "Rock DJ" (Robbie Williams)
*Finals week 7: "Bakit Pa Ba?" (Jay-R)
*Finals week 8: "Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga" (Basil Valdez, from "Eto Na Naman")
*Finals week 8: "Greased Lightning" (John Travolta, from "Grease")
*Finals week 9: "They Can't Take That Away From Me" (Fred Astaire)
*Finals week 9: "The Very Thought of You" (Nat King Cole)
*Finals week 11: "The Impossible Dream" (Luther Vandross)
*Finals week 11: "Volare" (Gypsy Kings)
*Finals week 11: "Flying Without Wings" (Westlife) - "Runner-up, December 10"

Miguel Mendoza III, from Muntinlupa City, Metro Manila. A senior high school student of De La Salle-Santiago Zobel School who tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions, he was the youngest finalist in the competition and was fondly called as "Bunso" (Youngest Child) by his fellow finalists. He was eliminated on November 27. He was declared third runner up in Pinoy Dream Academy 2 on September 14,2008.
*Semi-finals: "Highways of My Life" (The Isley Brothers) — "Qualified for Finals, September 3"
*Finals week 1: "Next in Line" (After Image)
*Finals week 2: "Let's Stay Together" (Al Green)
*Finals week 3: "Swerte-Swerte Lang" (Joel Navarro)
*Finals week 4: "Harana" (Parokya ni Edgar)
*Finals week 5: "Sandra" (Barry Manilow)
*Finals week 6: "Make It With You" (The Pasadenas)
*Finals week 7: "Hanggang" (Wency Cornejo)
*Finals week 8: "Growing Up" (Gary Valenciano, from "Bagets")
*Finals week 8: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" (Elton John, from "The Lion King") - "Bottom 3, November 20"
*Finals week 9: "True" (Paul Anka)
*Finals week 9: "I've Got You Under My Skin" (Frank Sinatra) — "Eliminated, November 27"

Paula Patricia "Pow" Chavez, from Quezon City, Metro Manila. An openly-lesbian band singer, she was mistaken as a boy during the Luzon Main Auditions singing "I Want You Back" by Jackson 5. She was dubbed as the "Power Idol" during the competition, and was eliminated on November 20.
*Semi-finals: "Ikaw Lamang" (Janno Gibbs/Zsa Zsa Padilla) — "Qualified for Finals, September 10"
*Finals week 1: "Nakapagtataka" (Hajji Alejandro/Rachel Alejandro)
*Finals week 2: "You Got It Bad" (Usher) - "Bottom 4, October 8"
*Finals week 3: "Till I Met You" (Kuh Ledesma)
*Finals week 4: "Forevermore" (Side A) - "Bottom 4, October 30"
*Finals week 5: "For Once in My Life" (Spiral Starecase) - "Bottom 3, November 6"
*Finals week 6: "Got To Be Real" (Cheryl Lynn)
*Finals week 7: "Love Moves (in Mysterious Ways)" (Julia Fordham)
*Finals week 8: "So Far So Good" (Sheena Easton, from "About Last Night")
*Finals week 8: "I'd Give My Life For You" (Lea Salonga, from "Miss Saigon") — "Eliminated, November 20"

Kenneth "Ken" Dingle, from Baguio City, Benguet Province. A former boy band member and hotel receptionist in Australia, he tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on November 13.
*Semi-finals: "More Today Than Yesterday" (Spiral Starecase)
*Wildcards: "A House Is Not a Home" (Dionne Warwick/Luther Vandross) — "Qualified for Finals, September 17"
*Finals week 1: "Di Na Natuto" (Gary Valenciano)
*Finals week 2: "What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye)
*Finals week 3: "Magsimula Ka" (Leo Valdez)
*Finals week 4: "Ligaya" (The Eraserheads)
*Finals week 5: "Get Here" (Oleta Adams)
*Finals week 6: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" (Stevie Wonder) - "Bottom 3, November 6"
*Finals week 7: "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (Bryan Adams) — "Eliminated, November 13"

Cherry Anne "Apple" Chiu, from Carmona, Cavite. An interior designer by profession, she rendered an unusual R&B version of the novelty song "Ispageti Song" by SexBomb Girls during the Luzon Main Auditions. She was eliminated on November 6.
*Semi-finals: "Rhythm of the Street" (Patti Austin) — "Qualified for Finals, September 10"
*Finals week 1: "Ngayon" (Basil Valdez)
*Finals week 2: "Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin)
*Finals week 3: "Sometimes You Just Know" (Jaya)
*Finals week 4: "Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin" (Kitchie Nadal)
*Finals week 5: "Someone to Watch Over Me" (Ella Fitzgerald/George Gershwin) - "Bottom 4, October 30"
*Finals week 6: "Lady Marmalade" ( Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mýa, and Lil' Kim) — "Eliminated, November 6"

Armarie Lourdes "Arms" Cruz, from Zamboanga City. A band vocalist and daughter of late character actor Mohamad Faezal, she sang "Hiram" (Borrowed Time) by Zsa Zsa Padilla during the Mindanao Main Auditions. She was the only finalist from outside of Luzon, and was eliminated on October 30.
*Semi-finals: "Superwoman" (Karyn White) — "Qualified for Finals, September 10"
*Finals week 1: "Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi" (Didith Reyes)
*Finals week 2: "Respect" (Aretha Franklin)
*Finals week 3: "Anak"/ The Child (Freddie Aguilar)
*Finals week 4: "Makita Kang Muli" (Sugarfree)
*Finals week 5: "If I Believe" (Patti Austin) — "Eliminated, October 30"

Jellica Marie "Jelli" Mateo, from Pasig City, Metro Manila. A lounge singer/ model/ events host by profession, she wooed "Idol" judge Magalona with her rendition of "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Ray Charles during the Luzon Main Audition. She was eliminated on October 30, along with Cruz.
* Semi-finals: "Bridges/Travessia" (English/ Portuguese/ Tagalog version, Sergio Mendes/Kevyn Lettau) — "Qualified for Finals, September 10"
*Finals week 1: "Iisa Pa Lamang" (Joey Albert)
*Finals week 2: "Always Be My Baby" (Mariah Carey)
*Finals week 3: "Isang Mundo, Isang Awit" (Leah Navarro)
*Finals week 4: "Paglisan" (Color It Red)
*Finals week 5: "You Don't Know Me" (Ray Charles) — "Eliminated, October 30"

Reymond Sajor, from Lucena City, Quezon Province. A singer and theatre actor, he was the Grand Champion of Hamilton Talent Hunt in Ontario, Canada, who delivered "This is the Moment" from the musical Jekyll & Hyde during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on October 15.
*Semi-finals: "Tell Her About It" (Billy Joel) — "Qualified for Finals, September 3"
*Finals week 1: "Hindi Magbabago" (Randy Santiago)
*Finals week 2: "I'd Rather" (Luther Vandross)
*Finals week 3: "Be My Lady" (Pedritto Montaire/Martin Nievera) — "Eliminated, October 15"

Paul Andrae Wilde "Drae" Ybañez, from Quezon City, Metro Manila. A charity volunteer by profession, he tried out during the Luzon Main Auditions. He was eliminated on October 8.
*Semi-finals: "What You Won’t Do for Love" (Bobby Caldwell) — "Qualified for Finals, September 3"
*Finals week 1: "Hang On" (Gary Valenciano)
*Finals week 2: "You're Still a Young Man" (Tower of Power) — "Eliminated, October 8"

Stephanie "Stef" Lazaro Bainbridgge, from Gold Coast, Australia. A singer by profession, she tried out in Australian Idol, but only reached the Theater Eliminations. She returned to the Philippines to try out during the Visayas Main Auditions of "Philippine Idol". She was eliminated on October 8, along with Ybañez.
*Semi-finals: "Home" (Diana Ross)
*Wildcards: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Bonnie Tyler) — "Qualified for Finals, September 17"
*Finals week 1: "Pangako Sa 'Yo" (Rey Valera)
*Finals week 2: "Proud Mary" (Tina Turner) — "Eliminated, October 8"

Post-"Idol"

The "Philippine Idol" finalists reunited in a special concert that was held on March 23, 2007 in Araneta Coliseum. Reports said that major sections of the venue were not filled and the concert experienced major sound glitches from faulty microphones that shadowed their laudable performances.cite news| first=Ambet| last=Nabus| title='Philippine Idol' Top 12 finalists concert, a disaster?| date=March 26, 2007| publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal| url=http://www.pep.ph/news/12636/Philippine-Idol-Top-12-finalists-concert-a-disaster| accessdate=2007-11-15languageicon|tl|Tagalog]

Marcelo still remains as the finalist with a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines with the release of her new album entitled "On My Own", derived from its carrier track "Try It on My Own". Weeks after her winning (on December 20, 2006), Marcelo performed in Malacañang Palace for the Christmas party of Office of the President. [ [http://www.cmfr-phil.org/_pjrreports/2007/january/0107_monitor.html Joining the Bandwagon] PJR Reports January 2007 issue (accessed October 30, 2007)]

Marcelo has also released her first post-"Idol" full-length album entitled "I Shine for You". [http://www.sonybmg.com.ph/_workFile/http://content.asp?cat=88697130602 The Take] Album page of "I Shine For You" at Sony BMG Music Philippines website] A remixed version of "I Shine for You" is used as a theme song for local television show "Shall We Dance: The Celebrity Dance Challenge", which is being shown on ABC.

On the other hand, runner-up Magdangal signed a non-exclusive contract to GMA Network a month after "Philippine Idol" and is a regular on Sunday noontime variety show "SOP Rules", which he confirmed in his Yahoo! Group.cite news| first=Ruel| last=Mendoza| title="SOP" lets go of co-hosts for major revamp| date=January 22, 2007| publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal| url=http://www.pep.ph/guide/216/SOP-lets-go-of-co-hosts-for-major-revamp| accessdate=2007-11-15languageicon|tl|Tagalog] [ [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/philidol_gian/message/270|Magdangal's Gian Magdangal's statement confirming his participation in GMA Network] Gian Magdangal Yahoo! Group] However, it has been noticeable that he is not mentioning "Philippine Idol" in his appearances on GMA Network. [In an appearance on GMA talk show "Mel & Joey", Magdangal mentioned that he joined "a singing contest".] He also won Best Performance by a New Male Artist at the 20th Awit Awards on August 2007 for his song "Himala" that was part of "Philippine Idol: The Final 12" Album. [ [http://www.awitawards.com.ph/winners.html List of Winners in Major Categories] 20th Awit Awards (accessed October 31, 2007)]

Meanwhile, fellow runner-up Nieto has since resigned from his high-paying job at Unilever Philippines to fully pursue his singing career.cite news| last=San Diego| title=‘Idol’ rigodon| date=October 21, 2007| publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer| url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=95745] Nine months after "Idol", he signed a contract with GMA Network and was introduced in SOP on October 2007 as its newest "Kapuso".cite news| first=Archie| last=de Calma| title="Philippine Idol" finalist Jan Nieto is now part of Kapuso network| date=October 22, 2007| publisher=Philippine Entertainment Portal| url=http://www.pep.ph/news/15205/Philippine-Idol-finalist-Jan-Nieto-is-now-part-of-Kapuso-network| accessdate=2007-11-15languageicon|tl|Tagalog]

Nieto and Mendoza also appeared on the ABS-CBN variety show "ASAP '07" alongside Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Jay-R Siaboc, and Ronnie Liang. Moreover, Nieto was also interviewed in "TV Patrol World" about his appearance on the show. Along with Mateo, Nieto also sang a food condiment jingle that was rearranged by Cayabyab.

Mateo is a co-host in "Pilipinas Ngayon Na!", an infotainment program in state-owned National Broadcasting Network. [ [http://pilipinasngayonna.net/ Main Page] "Pilipinas Ngayon Na!" Official Website] She also briefly appeared in ABS-CBN's noontime show "Wowowee" as one of its co-hosts.

Meanwhile, Drae Ybañez was featured in the February 6, 2007 edition of the ABS-CBN late evening news program "Bandila". "Philippine Idol" was not explicitly mentioned in the report; rather, it focused on his charity work. He announced during a performance in De La Salle Philippines' grand reunion that he is taking up Music Production in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

Reymond Sajor won in the Senior Vocalist category in the World Championships of Performing Arts 2007, which was held in Los Angeles, USA. [ [http://www.world-championships.tv/pdf/2007_Winners.pdf "List of WCOPA 2007 Winners" (pdf file)] ] Sajor is also recording his debut album with musical direction by Gerard Salonga. [cite news| first=Totel| last=de Jesus| title=Taking The World By Song | date=October 28, 2007 | publisher=Starweek | url=http://www.philstar.com/archives.php?aid=2007102755&type=2]

Armarie Cruz, Ken Dingle, and Apple Chiu formed "AKA", a singing group that performs in Metro Manila's bar and hotel circuits. It was formed by a former "Idol" writer, with former Mulatto band member Jun Lacanieta as the group's musical director. The group also admits that all the 12 finalists support each other even after the competition.cite news| last=San Diego| title=Life after 'Idol'| date=October 29, 2007| publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer| url=http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=97344]

Pow Chavez announced in her Multiply site that she returned to her band "Joint" and continued to perform around Metro Manila bars.

Miguel Mendoza auditioned for the second season of "Pinoy Dream Academy". He passed through the elimination rounds and was eventually chosen as one of its finalists. Coincidentally, Cayabyab is now that program's Headmaster.

Apple Chiu is currently one of the singers in the ABS-CBN show, The Singing Bee.

External links

* [http://www.philippineidol.com/contestants.html "Philippine Idol" Official Website, Contestants section]

References