No ‘Idols’ Here

By Marinel Cruz (Inquirer)
Updated 11:51pm (Mla time) 06/28/2006

DAVAO CITY—“Davao is not the place to look for an ‘Idol.’ All the good ones are in Cebu,” declared Pilita Corrales, a Cebuana and one of the three judges of the reality talent search “Philippine Idol” on ABC 5.

Corrales shares the task with master composer Ryan Cayabyab and rapper-TV host Francis Magalona.

Only 17 out of 75 contestants who auditioned on Monday at the Waterfront Hotels and Casinos got the coveted Golden Ticket. They will be flown to Manila to compete in the theater auditions at the CCP Main Theater in August.

The 75 contenders were selected from fast-track screenings conducted in Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga and Davao cities, as well as from pre-casting and casting auditions held here on June 23.

“It’s easier to judge now. Maraming hindi magaling dito,” said Cayabyab, Mr. C to industry colleagues. “I really did not expect much from Davao. We suppose we will have a more difficult time in Cebu.”

“People here are shy. I know because I used to handle a singing contest here,” Corrales added. “But there are a lot of interesting people.”

She said a contestant approached her while she was taking a break. “He asked me to help him get to Manila. I said, ‘Just do your best.’ Then I noticed that some of his teeth were missing. He said he had left his dentures at home. I really wanted to say, ’Go back and get them,’ but I kept my mouth shut. He should have come more prepared.”

Mr. C spotted Ritchie Asibal, 28, from Cagayan de Oro, and decided that the aspirant could very well slug it out with the others in Manila. Ritchie had failed in the CDO fast-track screening and decided to try again here. He was the fourth to get a Golden Ticket.

Corrales advised JR Oclarit, 19, to lose weight before flying to Manila. JR, the sixth pick, weighs 160 lbs.

“I’ve learned to accept the fact that there are people who join the search for monetary reasons,” said Mr. C. “I felt bad saying no to them at first. I’m used to it now.”

Julieto Alquizar, 19, who said he wanted to make it so he could send young siblings to school, was one of those who got the thumbs-down. He wept and pleaded so hard, he had to be escorted out by security personnel.

One factor he strictly required of contestants, said Magalona, was proper diction. “There are many Visayan Pinoys who lose their accent when they sing. That’s a plus,” he said. “It’s also important for contestants to know by heart the lyrics of the songs they sing.”

Major auditions in Cebu will be held at the nearly two-hectare International Academy of Film and Television in Lapu-Lapu City on July 24. A total of 25 contestants will be picked from the Visayan region.

“They might cancel each other out when all the contestants get to Manila,” said Magalona.

“Yes,” Cayabyab agreed, “especially when they stand side by side with their competitors and get to compare notes.”