Kamote, Kalabaw

Tonight is the Top 12 Girls's time to shine. I'm going to rate them on a scale of 1-10 where 10 is the highest. Just like the boys, all the girls, no doubt, could sing. But of course, there's a big room for improvement. Nothing extraordinary about anyone so far. Let's see how they are going to improve. Vren Villaflor . She has the looks, too. Nice energy on the stage. Artistahin. Good vocal tone too; hindi baduy. Rating: 8 Penelope . She's got potential. Her raw talent offers something. Her personality improved as well. Rating: 8 Jeni Rawolle . Jeni has the looks. I think her voice is too nasal. Her performance is OK, though. Rating: 7 Mae Flores . Medyo artistahin and she's confident on stage. She has to improve her diction though. Para siyang namumuwalan. Every sound should be clear at buo. Rating: 7 Jayann Bautista . She has to improve her diction. Just like Mae, para siyang namumuwalan. Kailangan buo ang boses. Hindi pilit. Rating: 7 Meryl David . She failed...

The Top 12 Boys performed tonight. So far, here are my favorites. If I remembered their names, that means, they performed well tonight. Daryl Celis. I agree with Jolina's comment. He did well at first, he connected to hid audience but lost this connection on the latter part of the song. His falsetto was not that good. He has to improve it. He has charm. He can get a lot of fans. Kid Camaya. Perfect pitch. Exact notes. Malinis ang pagkanta. Ram Chavez. Good performance on stage. Warren is also good as a rocker. But like Wyngard said, he had to prove that he can sing other genre. JJ Jr. He's got the looks and he can sing but lost his concentration towards the end. Robby Navarro. Pulido ang pagkanta. Toffer, Dio, Sherwin have to work on their dictions. The rest didn't leave a mark. I could hardly remember how they performed. The Idol hopefuls should remember that sa first note pa lang, kailangan eksakto agad. The very first note is very important. I could not agree with some ...

Finally, Pinoy Idol has the Final 24. Whom are you voting for? Top 12 Girls Regene Ong Mae Flores Bev Ejercito Meryl David Sue Ellen Drizzle Muniz Vren Villaflor Gretchen Espina Jeni Rawolle Carol Anne Leus Penelope Jayann Bautista Top 12 Boys Dio Paolo JJ Jr. Robby Navarro Elliot Andal Warren Antig Rye Estrada Ram Chavez Daryl Celis Sherwin Marquez Walton Zerrudo Kid Camaya Toffer Rei

This is the giant billboard that you will see at the GMA-7 Network Center. You'll get a closer view of it while on board the MRT (Metro Rail Transit in EDSA).

Week 2 Episodes The next episodes after the first week were not as exciting as the first few days. In a few words, I can give you the synopsis. Dyesebel was able to save Fredo and hid him inside a cave. Bukanding (Paolo Ballesteros), her foster brother, persuaded her to go home for fear of the queen's punishment. Back to the cave, they found out that Fredo was bitten by a sea snake. Dyesebel left to look for cure. While she was gone, Berbola found Fredo inside the cave. She, too, fell in love with Fredo. In Sireneya, the queen learned about mermaids swimming up to the shore (which is forbidden). The queen had them hunted. Erebus (Alfred Vargas) warned Dyesebel and Bukanding that they were able to leave the cave and went to a shore where Fredo recovered. Berbola pointed at Dyesebel as the mermaid who violated the law. Dyesebel was sentenced to death; but Erebus told the queen that Berbula, too, was guilty of the same crime. The queen could not sentence her daughter Berbula to death....

Dyesebel found her way to swim up to the shore always waiting for Fredo, the boy who saved her from a tangled fishnet. Dyesebel grew up to be a very beautiful mermaid and she has fallen in love with Fredo, something that her adoptive mother, Banak, feared because, Lucia, Dyesebel's mother, suffered for falling in love with a man. Berbula (played by Michelle Madrigal), the queen's daughter, followed Dyesebel one time and found out where Dyesebel was going. To go to the land of mortal men was a forbidden law in the kingdom of Sireneya. Berbula saw Fredo on the shore and she, too, had fallen in love with him. Banak (played by Lotlot de Leon) warned her adopted daughter, Dyesebel, to stop going to the land of men. Dyesebel swore that she would again never. But, upon learning that Fredo was ashore, she swam up to see her prince once again. Meanwhile, while Fredo was setting his sail, the mast knocked him off and was thrown to the sea. The target audience of Dyesebel is the kids. So,...

Episode 2 Lucia gave birth to Dyesebel. While she was laboring, a tsunami hit the town attributing it to a sighting of a mermaid, which the town folks considered a jinx. Terrified upon seeing the baby mermaid, the obstetrician was screaming as she was announcing what she saw. Upon learning about it, Tonio's mother rushed to the hospital. Vivian told the town folks that Lucia and her baby mermaid should be blamed for bringing the disaster to their town. As a result, they rushed to the family so that they could get rid of the baby mermaid. Out of the crowd's chaotic behavior, Tino was killed. Before he breathed his last, Tonio instructed Lucia to send their baby mermaid to the sea, where she should be. And so she did. Upon bringing her to the water, baby Dyesebel swam away. This episode was compelling. You could feel the emotion that the scenes were trying to express. The post-disaster scene looked credible. The place was a perfect selection. It needed no props to make it look li...

Dyesebel, the TV series on GMA7, premiers tonight. On its first episode, Tino (Wendel Ramos) spotted Lucia (Jean Garcia) at sea. It was love at first sight. One evening, Tino found Lucia afloat and unconscious. Tonio brought her home and took care of her. To the disappointment of his mother (Chanda Romero) and wife-wannabe Vivian (Andrea del Rosario), Tino married Lucia. On her due date, Lucia gave birth to a baby girl, a half-human-half-fish baby, whom she named Dyesebel. So far, Episode 1 was good. The period was set to the 60's. If not for the costumes of Andrea del Rosario, you would not know that it's from the 60's. GMA-7 could have used sepia filter to make it look like from the 60's. On visual effects, the giant octopus attacking the pump boat was neatly done. For a complete synopsis of Dyesebel, you may read it here at http://www.pep.ph/guide/1863/Fredo-and-Dyesebel-experience-love-at-first-sight Dyesebel photos are also available at the same site. You m...

Dyesebel, the 2008 TV series, premiers on April 28 on GMA-7. Marian Rivera stars as Dyesebel; Dingdong Dantes plays the role of Fredo, Dyesebel's love interest.

The following questions were not answered correctly by the celebrity contestants. Q: Pag namatay ang lolo mo, ano ang tawag sa lola mo? (If your grandpa died, what would you call your grandma?) A: Oldmaid Q: Ano ang tawag sa puting suot ng pari pag ito'y nagkakasal? (What does a priest wear who is officiating a wedding?) Kyla: Kapa (cape) Q: Sinong artista ang kilala sa pagiging payat? Maxene: Elizabeth Ramsey, Vic Sotto Q: Ano ang tawag sa tirahan ng mga mongha o monghe? (The place where monks live.) Wally: Monestaryo Q: Ano ang kasarian ng taong naka-Amerikana? (Gender of a person wearing a suit.) Jose: Amerikano (American) Q: Sino ang tatay ni Noel Trinidad? May kinalaman ito sa "coco". Jose: Mr. Trinidad Q: Kung ang tuta ay sa aso, anong meron ang pulis sa baril niya? Jose: Batuta Q: Kung si Ariel Rivera ay kilabot ng kolehiyala, sino ang asawa ni Ariel? Wally: Janice de Belen Q: Ano ang ingles ng makinilya? Julia: Machine Q: Ano ang pinaparada sa paradahan? Julia: Tr...

When GOBINGO aired on TV in the 90's, the Pinoy audience found a new toy to talk and laugh about after each episode. What made it popular was the contestants' funny answers to the quickie-tricky questions. Televiewers truly had fun watching each episode. To date, GMA-7 is resurrecting the funny game show. Arnell Ignacio, once again, is hosting it. This GMA-7's original game show made Arnel Ignacio a popular name in the boob tube. When the show ended after a few seasons, GMA-7 came up with "All-Star K, the P1,000,000 Videoke Challenge", also with Arnel Ignacio. The game show was becoming popular that after a few seasons, Arnel moved to ABS-CBN, a rival network, to host a noontime show that would compete with Eat Bulaga. Ai-Ai de las Alas, who made a name in Eat Bulaga and 1+4=3 (a sitcom with Vic Sotto and Rosanna Roces), co-hosted with Arnel Ignacio. Ignacio's "for greener pasture" move was not successful. After a few projects with the Ch2 network, I...

Last year, ABC5 hosted Philippine Idol and broadcast American Idol via satellite. Ryan Agoncillo hosted the show. The judges were Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales, and Francis Magalona. The final 3 were Mau Marcelo, Gian Magdangal, and Jan Nieto. Mau won the contest. Gian, a cousin of Jolina Magdangal, is now a mainstay of SOP, a Sunday entertainment show on GMA7. Jan also appears on the same show regularly. This year, GMA7 now owns the right to the Idol franchise. It is called Pinoy Idol. Apparently, GMA7 cannot use the name Philippine Idol because the name is a property of ABC5. The show is hosted by Raymond Gutierrez. The judges are Wyngard Tracy, Jolina Magdangal, and Ogie Alcasid. The show was offered to Regine Velasquez but she declined it. American Idol is now broadcast over QTV-11 via satellite. QTV is a subsidiary of GMA7.

When Marian Rivera hit the tube for the remake of Marimar, a Mexican TV series that made Thalia popular (at least here in the Philippines), she, too, made history in the entertainment industry. Only Marimar, the Philippine version, was able to reach the highest ratings of 52.6% ( showbiznest.blogstpot.com ) on March 14, 2008. After the Marimar finale, primetime viewing has never been the same again. It seemed that fans of Marimar are missing Marian Rivera. For that reason, her fans already feel excited about her new TV series Dyesebel - a love story between a mermaid and a human. In my blog likhanghimig.blogspot.com , the Marimar love theme song "Mahal Kita" generated 788 hits during the Marimar fever -- my highest among all my blogs. Will this blog be able to compete with that? Let's see when Dyesebel hits the tube this 2008.

"Iskul Ko No.1", a documentary by I-Witness (GMA Network, Philippines) won the silver award in the recent New York Festival 2008. The story is about a public school in Sindangan, Leyte in the Philippines. It ranked number one on top of all public schools nationwide based on the academic achievements of the students. Teacher Lea, once a private school teacher, brought to the public school the system of teaching in private schools. Some students, who live in the boondocks, would walk an hour to the school. For the poorer families, the children's dream to finish college ends upon graduating from the sixth grade. Mildred, who was in top two in the school, simply planned to work as a domestic helper after graduating from sixth grade. This is what I feel after watching the documentary. It's sad that there are bright Filipino children in the remote areas in the provinces who could not finish college due to being poor. Shame on the politicians and government officials who get...

I'M PROUD TO BE KAPUSO!

This is one of my favorite Christmas songs. It has a touching message and beautiful melody. I love the Michael Bublé version. Grown-Up Christmas List [via FoxyTunes / Michael Bublé ] My Grown-Up Christmas List David Foster, composer Do you remember me I sat upon your knee I wrote to you With childhood fantasies Well, I'm all grown up now Can you still help somehow I'm not a child But my heart still can dream So here's my lifelong wish My grown-up Christmas list Not for myself But for a world in need No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal all hearts Every man would have a friend That right would always win And love would never end This is my grown-up Christmas list What is this illusion called the innocence of youth Maybe only in that blind belief can we ever find the truth No more lives torn apart That wars would never start And time would heal our hearts Every man would have a friend That right would always win And love would never end Th...

Here's a touching scene from Marimar. Direk Joyce Bernal really knows how to capture the emotions perfectly.

Here's another favorite song. "Mahal Kita", which means "I love you" was composed by Danny Tan. The original version was sung by Gerald Santos, Pinoy Pop Superstar grand champion of 2006. The female version was sung by Maricris Garcia, Pinoy Pop Superstar grand champion of 2007. The song is included in Gerald's first album "A Day on the Rainbow". The song is currently the love theme song of "Marimar", a Philippine remake of the Mexican tele-novela with the same title. In the Philippine version, Marian Rivera plays Marimar; Dingdong Dantes plays the the role of Sergio Santibanez. In Marimar, the female version is a response to the male version of the song. In dramatic scenes that focus on either Marimar's (Marian) or Sergio's (Dingdong) emotions, you'll either hear Gerald's or Maricris's version. "Marimar" is currently showing weeknights on GMA Channel 7. Here's Gerald's version of "Mahal Kita...

HANGANG...BY: WENCY CORNEJO [via FoxyTunes / Wency Cornejo ] Play the video while you sing along. Below is the lyric of the song in Tagalog. Hanggang Ilang ulit mo nang itinatanong sa akin kung hanggang saan hanggang saan, hanggang kailan, hanggang kailan magtatagal, ang aking pagmamahal hanggang may himig pa akong naririnig, dito sa ating daigdig hanggang may musika akong tinataglay, kita'y iniibig giliw huwag mo sanang isiping ikaw ay aking lilisanin, di ko magagawang lumayo sa 'yong piling at nais kong malaman mo kung gaano kita kamahal hanggang ang diwa ko'y tanging sa 'yo laan mamahalin kailanman hanggang pag-ibig ko'y hanggang walang-hanggan tanging ikaw lamang hanggang may himig pa akong naririnig dito sa ating daigdig hanggang may musika akong tinataglay kita'y iniibig giliw huwag mo sanang isiping ikaw ay aking lilisanin 'di ko magagawang lumayo sa'yong piling at nais kong malaman mo kung gaano kita kamahal hanggang may puso akong marunong magm...

I recently discovered this new cool site. It's the foxytunes.com. If you are using Mozilla Firefox, it comes with a media player tool that rests at the bottom of your browser. With that tiny media player, you can play your favorite music while browsing, or even while not browsing. (Instead of opening your media player, you can open instead your browser to play your favorite music.) To go to the FoxyTunes, click the double eight-note icon and select FoxyTunes Planet. On the site, you can search for your favorite artist and FoxyTunes will give you everything about the artist - his profile, albums, music, videos, photos, lyrics, webs, news, and blogs. It's an all-in-one site about your favorite artist. And if you love to sing, like in a videoke or karaoke, you can do just that with FoxyTunes Planet. Simply retrieve the lyrics, then play the video, you can now sing with your favorite artist. Here's a sample. Follow this link Josh Groban on FoxyTunes and enjoy singing with Josh...