Pinoy Idol
Pinoy Idol finalists (with dates of elimination)
Season 1 (2008)
Gretchen Espina Gretchen Espina Gretchen Stephanie Mendiola Espina is a Filipino singer who rose to notability after winning Pinoy Idol, an interactive reality-based singing competition. Although she is credited as the first Pinoy Idol, Espina is technically the second winner of a Philippine Idol franchise, after Mau Marcelo of...	Winner
Jayann Bautista Jayann Bautista Jay Ann "Jayann" Bautista is a Filipino singer who rose to notability after becoming a Runner-Up of Pinoy Idol, an interactive reality-based singing competition...	August 17
Ram Chaves Ram Chaves Ramon "Ram" Chaves III is best known for joining the first season of Pinoy Idol from GMA Network where he managed to finish as the second runner up....	August 17
Daryl Celis	August 10
Kid Camaya	August 10
Warren Antig	August 3
Penelope	July 27
Toffer Rei	July 20
Sue Ellen	July 13
Robby Navarro Robby Navarro Roberto "Robby" Navarro, Jr., popularly known as Robby Navarro is best known as one of the Most Talented Finalists of Pinoy Idol Season One where he reached the 10th spot.-Personal life:...	July 6
Mae Flores	June 29
Jeni Rawolle	June 22

Pinoy Idol was a Philippine

Filipino language

This move has drawn much criticism from other regional groups.In 1987, a new constitution introduced many provisions for the language.Article XIV, Section 6, omits any mention of Tagalog as the basis for Filipino, and states that:...

 interactive

Interactive television

Interactive television describes a number of techniques that allow viewers to interact with television content as they view it.- Definitions :...

 reality-based

Reality television

Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...

 singing competition created and developed by FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia, Ltd. is the content and production division of Bertelsmann's RTL Group, Europe's second largest TV, radio, and production company...

 and 19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment

19 Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, United States, is a creator and producer of entertainment properties based around the areas of Music and Television / Film, including American Idol in the United States, Pop Idol in the United Kingdom as well as versions of the Idol series in more than...

 which aired on GMA Network

GMA Network

GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...

. The program originated from Pop Idol

Pop Idol

Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...

created by British

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

 entertainment executive Simon Fuller

Simon Fuller

Simon Fuller is a British artist manager, television producer and creator of the Idol franchise, first seen as Pop Idol in the UK. Fuller is also the co-creator and executive producer of the Fox TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance and other U.S...

, which seeks to discover the best singer or "idol" in the country through a series of nationwide auditions and live performances, which is determined by public voting through SMS. The show "replaced" Philippine Idol

Philippine Idol

Philippine Idol was the first franchise of Idol series in the Philippines, the 35th country in the world to air a national Idol franchise and the sixth in Asia. The franchise was first awarded by FremantleMedia, 19 Entertainment and CKX, Inc. to Associated Broadcasting Company in 2006 and then to...

, the first Idol franchise

Idol series

The British talent search television series Pop Idol has spawned spin-offs in 42 territories, in what is now referred to as the "Idols" format, as described by FremantleMedia...

 in the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

 broadcast by the Associated Broadcasting Company

Associated Broadcasting Company

The Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal...

 in 2006.

The show is hosted by Raymond Gutierrez

Raymond Gutiérrez

Raymond Kristoffer Rama-Gutierrez , is a TV Host, editor, columnist, endorser, and actor in Philippines. He comes from a family of actors and performers.-Early life:...

, with Ogie Alcasid

Ogie Alcasid

Herminio Jhay Alcasid, Jr., more popularly known as Ogie "Eric Ordoñez" Alcasid , is a Filipino singer, songwriter, composer, television presenter, comedian, parodist, actor, and entrepreneur.-Recording career:...

 (singer, songwriter, and record producer), Jolina Magdangal

Jolina Magdangal

-Filmography:Pasan ko ang Daigdig-Television:-Studio albums:-Compilation albums:-2007:* FAMAS Awards - Golden Artist Awardee* PMPC Star Awards for TV - Favorite Female Host Starstruck: The Next Level* UNICEF Ambassadres of Goodwill...

 (singer and actress), and Wyngard Tracy

Wyngard Tracy

Wyngard Tracy was a Filipino talent manager who had represented various actors and music artists, like Side A, in the Philippines through his office Artiststation, Inc. As of June, 2008, he was one of three judges in Pinoy Idol on GMA Network...

 (retired talent manager) as judges. Danny Tan

Danny Tan

Daniel Surian Tan [or Danny Tan] is a Filipino composer, songwriter, musical director and arranger.- Educational Background :*Muhammad Tulawie Central Elementary School...

 is the show's musical director. The show debuted on April 5, 2008.

Gretchen Espina

Gretchen Espina

Gretchen Stephanie Mendiola Espina is a Filipino singer who rose to notability after winning Pinoy Idol, an interactive reality-based singing competition. Although she is credited as the first Pinoy Idol, Espina is technically the second winner of a Philippine Idol franchise, after Mau Marcelo of...

, daughter of Biliran

Biliran

In 1945 liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was landed in Biliran with the local guerrilla forces by the attack of the Japanese troops from the island during the Battle of Biliran during World War II.-Conversion:On April...

 governor Rogelio J. Espina, defeated two other contenders in the show's Finale to become the first Pinoy Idol. Although she is technically the second winner of an Idol franchise in the Philippines, GMA promoted Pinoy Idol as "the first Idol competition in the Philippines" and does not recognize Philippine Idol and its winner Mau Marcelo

Mau Marcelo

Maureen "Mau" Flores Marcelo is a Filipina Puertorican R&B soul singer who rose to prominence as the first winner of Philippine Idol in 2006. She was dubbed as the "Soul Idol" and "The Black Belter" at the competition for her R&B-style vocals...

.

GMA Network has reportedly decided not to produce a second season for 2009, and instead focus on another self-produced singing competition.

Transition from Philippine Idol

ABC had previously announced during an episode of Philippine Idol and a report on ABC's late night news show Sentro

Sentro

Sentro was an evening news broadcast of TV5 in the Philippines anchored by Martin Andanar.The newscast premiered on May 3, 2004, replacing Balitang Balita. It was first anchored by John Susi and Ali Sotto. On October 2, 2006, the newscast exchanged timeslots with Big News, the evening news program...

 that they would produce a second season of the show. However, rumors began to spread that Philippine Idol would not be having its second season in 2007 as planned, while major station GMA Network was planning to acquire the Idol franchise. Sources claimed that ABC incurred heavy losses in the previous season, primarily because of the low number of advertisement slots despite being a widely followed show. ABC asserted that it was still under negotiation with FremantleMedia about the second season and had earmarked Asian Idol

Asian Idol

Asian Idol is a reality singing competition, which featured winners of Idol competitions from six Southeast and South Asian countries consisting of India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam...

as its "big launch", although there was a possibility that GMA was negotiating about Idol as well since the network already had local versions of Celebrity Duets

Celebrity Duets

Celebrity Duets was an American reality television show of the progressive game-show type, which combined celebrities of different backgrounds with professional singers in a weekly elimination competition....

and Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader?

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a television game show format based on asking grade-school level questions to adults, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy...

--both FremantleMedia franchises.

After several negotiations, FremantleMedia had officially decided to move and to have the second season aired on GMA Network, which premiered on April 5, 2008. FremantleMedia's representative Geraldine Bravo said that it is "very fortunate" to find a new partner, while GMA Network's Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante added that both parties have agreed that the network "has the experience, the resources, and the people to mount talent-search programs".

ABC was reportedly sore about the deal, saying through its senior vice president for Corporate Affairs Terra Daffon that ABC was willing to buy only Idol with no other packages attached, but FremantleMedia has apparently found a better deal with GMA, "a giant" compared to their network which they described as a "Jack trying to climb the beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk is a folktale said by English historian Francis Palgrave to be an oral legend that arrived in England with the Vikings. The tale is closely associated with the tale of Jack the Giant-killer. It is known under a number of versions...

". ABC was also saddened by rumors that GMA would relaunch the show instead of recognizing the first season and therefore not acknowledging Mau Marcelo as the first Philippine Idol. Daffon commented that GMA's move to acquire FremantleMedia programs was a complete turnaround from its previous vow not to "buy" any foreign franchise, and that it seemed set in battling rival ABS-CBN

ABS-CBN

ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...

 anew as the latter has franchises from Endemol

Endemol

Endemol is an international television production and distribution company based in the Netherlands, with subsidiaries and joint ventures in 23 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Mexico, Spain, Italy, Germany, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Dominican Republic, Poland,...

. Galvante, meanwhile, countered that she will not back down from what she said that GMA will not "copy" foreign franchises completely, without making adjustments to entertain local viewers, which was different from her own statement over a year before that the GMA network did not need to "buy" a foreign franchise to put up their own talent searches.

Reports also said that GMA would treat Pinoy Idol as a completely different show, without referring to Philippine Idol as its "first season" and not recognizing Mau Marcelo

Mau Marcelo

Maureen "Mau" Flores Marcelo is a Filipina Puertorican R&B soul singer who rose to prominence as the first winner of Philippine Idol in 2006. She was dubbed as the "Soul Idol" and "The Black Belter" at the competition for her R&B-style vocals...

 as the "first winner".

Auditions

Auditions for Pinoy Idol were held in the following cities: Cagayan de Oro

Cagayan de Oro City

Cagayan de Oro; , officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines...

, Batangas City

Batangas City

- Foreign Rule :The first Spanish missionaries arrived in Batangas City since 1572. Finally on 1581 Spanish authorities governing the Philippines created a pueblo in the area which included the hill where the present Provincial Capitol of Batangas stands after the formal end of the Coumintang...

, Iloilo City

Iloilo City

The City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area...

, Cebu City

Cebu City

The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...

, Davao City

Davao City

The City of Davao is the largest city in the island of Mindanao in the Philippines. Its international airport and seaports are among the busiest cargo hubs in the Philippines....

, Pasay

Pasay City

The City of Pasay is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.Pasay City was one of the original four...

, Dagupan

Dagupan City

The City of Dagupan is a 1st class city in the Philippines. It is an independent component city of the province of Pangasinan. According to the latest census, Dagupan City has a population of 149,554 people in 25,921 households. Located on Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon, Dagupan is the...

, and Angeles

Angeles City

The City of Angeles , located within the province of Pampanga in the Philippines, is locally classified as a first-class, highly-urbanized city. Its name is derived from El Pueblo de los Ángeles in honor of its patron saints, Los Santos Ángeles de los Custodios , and the name of its founder, Don...

. Auditions in Naga were canceled for unknown reasons. During the Pasay auditions, Ida Henares, head of the GMA Artist Center (the talent arm of GMA Network), took over Magdangal's seat in the judges' panel as the latter was in the United States at the time. Out of thousands of aspirants, 179 passed through the next round of eliminations.

Theater rounds

The 179 audition passers gathered in Manila for the theater rounds in Cinema 6 of SM City North EDSA

SM City North EDSA

SM City North EDSA is the largest mall in the Philippines, and the world’s third biggest in terms of leasable area . It is operated by SM Prime Holdings, a local holding company in the Philippines, the biggest retail and mall operator in Southeast Asia...

. The first round saw the hopefuls divided into groups of 10 and they each performed their pieces in front of the judges. Ninety contestants were chosen for the second round. In the second round, the ninety aspirants formed pairs and each pair had duets to perform together; they were judged separately. Half of the ninety were virtually cut. The final forty-five each performed a song of their choice for a final time in front of the judges. Afterwards, they were divided into three groups of fifteen. One group was eliminated, bringing the number down to thirty.

On April 2008, the judges re-examined the performances of the final thirty survivors, starting from their audition pieces down to their final ones in the theater round. Then, in the GMA Network Center

GMA Network Center

The GMA Network Center is the headquarters of the GMA Network, a major radio and television network in the Philippines. It is located at EDSA corner South Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the network's main television and radio production center, and its main transmission facility for most of...

, the judges announced the fates of the thirty. It is from this final group that the Top 24 were chosen.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics song "Ready to Fly

Ready to Fly (song)

"Ready to Fly" is the third single and the second most successful single to be lifted from Amy Pearson's debut album, Who I Am. The song "Ready To Fly" was used by the Seven Network as the song to the 2008 Beijing Olympics...

" by Amy Pearson

Amy Pearson

Amy Elizabeth Pearson is an English singer-songwriter. Her debut album, "Who I Am", was released April 2008.- Early life :Pearson was born on 19 July 1985 in Birmingham, England...

 was used extensively throughout the audition and theatre phases of the competition.

Semi-finalists

The 24 semi-finalists were announced on May 17, 2008. Some of their names were changed or shortened so it would be easier for viewers to remember. Their names and short biographies were also published the day after the announcement. The semifinals, or "workshop phase," began on May 23, 2008, with the Top 12 male contestants performing first and the Top 12 female contestants performing the next day. Eliminations were on a weekly basis beginning May 25, 2008, until the Top 12 was finalized. Because of a quirk in the number of weeks and process of elimination, this stage ended a week later than expected (see Production below).

Male semi-finalists

Joselindo Pimpino Jr., also known as JJ Jr., is 17 from Bataan

Bataan

Bataan is a province of the Philippines occupying the whole of the Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. The province is part of the Central Luzon region. The capital of Bataan is Balanga City and it is bordered by the provinces of Zambales and Pampanga to the north...

. He currently studies in Baguio City

Baguio City

The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...

 where his parents live. He also claims to be Pinoy Pop Superstar's youngest competitor at age 14. He auditioned in Dagupan.

1. "You to Me Are Everything
   You to Me Are Everything
   "You to Me Are Everything" is a single by The Real Thing. Written by Ken Gold and Michael Denne and produced by Ken Gold, "You to Me Are Everything" was The Real Thing's sole number-one single in the UK, spending three weeks at the top in July 1976. A remixed version of the song returned to the...
   
   " (The Real Thing
   The Real Thing (group)
   -Albums:Studio albums* Real Thing - UK #34* 4 from 8 * Step Into Our World , retitled Can You Feel the Force - UK #73* ....Saints Or Sinners? Live albums* The Real Thing Live Compilation albums...
   
   )
2. "King of Wishful Thinking
   King of Wishful Thinking
   "King of Wishful Thinking" is a 1990 hit song by the British pop band Go West. It was featured in the film Pretty Woman and appeared on its soundtrack...
   
   " (Go West
   Go West (band)
   Go West is an English pop duo, formed in 1982 by lead vocalist and drummer Peter Cox ; and guitarist and vocalist Richard Drummie...
   
   )
3. "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
   Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours
   "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" is a soul single by American musician Stevie Wonder, recorded for Motown's Tamla label. Released in June 1970, the song spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart...
   
   " (Stevie Wonder
   Stevie Wonder
   Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
   
   )
4. "When I Need You
   When I Need You
   "When I Need You" is a popular song written by Albert Hammond and Carole Bayer Sager. It was first recorded by Hammond on his 1976 album When I Need You. Produced by Richard Perry, Leo Sayer's version made number 1 on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in February 1977 after three of his earlier...
   
   " (Leo Sayer
   Leo Sayer
   Leo Sayer is a British singer-songwriter, musician, and entertainer whose singing career has spanned four decades. Sayer became a naturalised Australian citizen in 2009. Sayer was a top singles and album act on both sides of the Atlantic in the 1970s...
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 15, 2008

Walton Zerrudo is 25 from Laguna. He considers standards

Standard (music)

In music, a standard is a tune or song of established popularity.-See also:* Blues standard* Jazz standard* Pop standard* Great American Songbook-Further reading:* Greatest Rock Standards, published by Hal Leonard ISBN 0793588391...

 as his forte and describes his son as his inspiration. He auditioned in Pasay.

1. "She's out of My Life
   She's Out of My Life
   "She's Out of My Life" is a song written by musical artist Tom Bahler. Although it has been claimed that Bahler wrote the song about Karen Carpenter, Bahler stated, "The fact is, I had already written that song by the time Karen and I became romantic. That song was written more about Rhonda Rivera...
   
   " (Michael Jackson
   Michael Jackson
   Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
   
   )
2. "Every Breath You Take
   Every Breath You Take
   "Every Breath You Take" is a song by The Police on the band's 1983 album Synchronicity, written by Sting and Andy Summers . The single was one of the biggest hits of 1983, topping the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for eight weeks and the UK Singles Chart for four weeks. It also topped the...
   
   " (The Police
   The Police
   The Police were an English rock band formed in London in 1977. For the vast majority of their history, the band consisted of Sting , Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland...
   
   )
3. "Hello
   Hello (Lionel Richie song)
   "Hello" is a song by Lionel Richie. Taken as the third single from Richie's multi-platinum album Can't Slow Down, the song was released in 1984 and reached number one on three Billboard music charts: the pop chart , the R&B chart , and the adult contemporary chart . The song also went to number one...
   
   " (Lionel Richie
   Lionel Richie
   Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Since 1968, he has been a member of the musical group Commodores signed to Motown Records...
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 8, 2008

Ryan "Rye" Estrada is 28 from Iloilo

Iloilo

Iloilo is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Iloilo occupies the southeast portion of Panay Island and is bordered by Antique Province to the west and Capiz Province and the Jintotolo Channel to the north. Just off Iloilo's southeast coast is Guimaras Province,...

. He is a band vocalist and a self-confessed Robbie Williams

Robbie Williams

Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...

 fan. During the theater rounds, his third performance piece was dedicated to his mother. He auditioned in Iloilo.

1. "Your Love" (Alamid)
2. "Babe" (Styx
   Styx (band)
   Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008

Sherwin Bayangan, who goes under the name of Sherwin Marquez, is 26 from Dagupan

Dagupan

The City of Dagupan is a 1st class city in the Philippines. It is an independent component city of the province of Pangasinan. According to the latest census, Dagupan City has a population of 149,554 people in 25,921 households. Located on Lingayen Gulf on the island of Luzon, Dagupan is the...

. He currently lives with his parents in Tuguegarao. He auditioned in Dagupan.

1. "How Do You Heal a Broken Heart" (Chris Walker
   Chris Walker (musician)
   Chris Walker is an American musician best known for his 1992 Billboard Hot 100 top 40 hit "Take Time".Walker's 1992 debut album, First Time. The album yielded the hit "Take Time", which peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100....
   
   )
2. "The Old Songs" (Barry Manilow
   Barry Manilow
   Barry Manilow is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, and performer, best known for such recordings as "Could It Be Magic", "Mandy", "Can't Smile Without You", and "Copacabana ."...
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008

Paulo Dio Maghari, also known as Dio Paolo, is 24 from Bacolod

Bacolod City

The City of Bacolod , is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the Negros Occidental province. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region. It is currently ranked as the 17th most populous city in...

. He is a call center agent and a son of a receptionist. He has sung in concerts and has even acted in a musical. He auditioned in Iloilo.

1. "Angels Brought Me Here
   Angels Brought Me Here
   "Angels Brought Me Here" is a pop song written by Jörgen Elofsson and John Reid for 2003 Australian Idol winner Guy Sebastian, for his first album Just as I Am . Recorded versions were made for both grand finalists, Sebastian and Shannon Noll, with only Sebastian's version officially released by BMG...
   
   " (Guy Sebastian
   Guy Sebastian
   Guy Theodore Sebastian is an Australian pop, R&B, and soul singer-songwriter who was the first winner of Australian Idol in 2003. He is currently a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor. Sebastian has released six top ten platinum/multi platinum albums, including a number-one and...
   
   ) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008

Eleuterio "Elliot" Andal is 24 from Batangas

Batangas

Batangas is a first class province of the Philippines located on the southwestern part of Luzon in the CALABARZON region. Its capital is Batangas City and it is bordered by the provinces of Cavite and Laguna to the north and Quezon to the east. Across the Verde Island Passages to the south is the...

. A son of a jeepney

Jeepney

Jeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating...

 driver, he worked as a choral trainer and conductor and has won plums in several choral competitions. He was also a contestant on Pinoy Pop Superstar

Pinoy Pop Superstar

Pinoy Pop Superstar was a Philippine television show featuring a year-long talent search for the best Filipino amateur singers. It was broadcast every Saturday evening on GMA. The format is loosely patterned on the original Tawag ng Tanghalan....

. He auditioned in Batangas.

1. "Sana Ay Ikaw na Nga" (Basil Valdez
   Basil Valdez
   Basil Valdez is a Filipino balladeer.He has received several Tinig Awards and the 1991 Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University-Biography:...
   
   ) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008

Female semi-finalists

Carol (Anne) Leus is 17 from Batangas, currently studying in the College of St. Benilde

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is a private Catholic college in the Malate district of Manila, Philippines. The main campus is along Taft Avenue, with two campuses along Pablo Ocampo Street and Arellano Avenue...

. In 2004, she joined and topped the Pop Star Search in Dubai

Dubai

Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...

, organized by The Filipino Channel

The Filipino Channel

The Filipino Channel is an international television station owned by the Philippine-based multimedia conglomerate ABS-CBN Corporation. The network is currently available in Asia Pacific, Australia, Canada, Europe, Middle East, and the United States. It has over two million subscribers in these...

. She auditioned in Pasay.

1. "I Believe In You and Me" (Whitney Houston
   Whitney Houston
   Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
   
   )
2. "It Must Have Been Love
   It Must Have Been Love
   "It Must Have Been Love" is a power ballad written by Per Gessle and performed by the Swedish pop duo Roxette. The ballad became the duo's 3rd #1 hit in the United States, and is one of their best-selling releases, leading the single to be certified gold in a number of countries.The song, included...
   
   " (Roxette
   Roxette
   Roxette are a Swedish pop music duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson and Per Gessle . Formed in 1986, the duo became an international act from the late 1980s, when they released their breakthrough album Look Sharp!...
   
   )
3. "The Voice Within
   The Voice Within
   "The Voice Within" is a song written by Christina Aguilera and Glen Ballard, with production by Ballard. It was released as the fifth and final single from Aguilera's second album, Stripped on December 23, 2003. The single peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Aguilera's seventh Top 40...
   
   " (Christina Aguilera
   Christina Aguilera
   Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
   
   )
4. "I Turn to You" (Christina Aguilera) - Eliminated, June 15, 2008

Meryl (Consulta) David is 23 from the Bicol Region

Bicol Region

The Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 17 regions of the Philippines. Its regional center is Legazpi City...

. She is the daughter of a former singer and a real estate broker whose achievement is finishing her course in nursing while singing in a band. She auditioned in Angeles.

1. "You Mean The World To Me
   You Mean The World To Me
   "You Mean the World to Me" is the fourth single from Toni Braxton's self-titled debut album, Toni Braxton . The track was released in March 1994 and was a radio hit, peaking at number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs...
   
   " (Toni Braxton
   Toni Braxton
   Toni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
   
   )
2. "I Feel for You
   I Feel for You
   "I Feel for You" is a song written by Prince that originally appeared on his 1979 self-titled album. It became a hit single in 1984 for female R&B singer Chaka Khan, appearing on her album, which was also called I Feel for You...
   
   " (Chaka Khan
   Chaka Khan
   Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
   
   )
3. "Killing Me Softly with His Song
   Killing Me Softly with His Song
   "Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a 1971 song composed by Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel. It has been covered by numerous artists, most notably by Roberta Flack whose version topped the U.S...
   
   " (Roberta Flack
   Roberta Flack
   Roberta Flack is an American singer, songwriter, and musician who is notable for jazz, soul, R&B, and folk music...
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 8, 2008

Regene Ong is 20 from Quezon City. She impressed the judges by singing a wide range of songs, and is equally known for her self-made vintage dresses. She auditioned in Pasay.

1. "Fever
   Fever (1956 song)
   "Fever" is a song written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, who used the pseudonym John Davenport. It was originally recorded by Little Willie John in 1956. It has been covered by numerous artists from various musical genres, notably Peggy Lee in 1958....
   
   " (Elvis Presley
   Elvis Presley
   Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
   
   )
2. "With Or Without You
   With or Without You
   "With or Without You" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their 1987 album, The Joshua Tree, and was released as the album's first single on 21 March 1987...
   
   " (U2
   U2
   U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008

Vrenilyn "Vren" Villaflor is 17 from Quezon City. A daughter of a police officer, she joined several singing tilts as a child, including Ang Batang Kampeon and Tuklas Talino. She auditioned in Pasay.

1. "Fame
   Fame (Irene Cara song)
   "Fame" is a pop song, written by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford that was released in 1980, and achieved chart success as the theme song to the Fame film and TV series. The song was performed by Irene Cara, who played the role of Coco Hernandez in the original movie...
   
   " (Irene Cara
   Irene Cara
   Irene Cara is an American singer and actress. Cara won an Academy Award in 1984 in the category of Best Original Song for co-writing "Flashdance... What a Feeling." She is also known for her recording of the song "Fame", and she also starred in the 1980 film Fame.She married Hollywood stuntman...
   
   )
2. "Wind Beneath My Wings
   Wind Beneath My Wings
   "Wind Beneath My Wings" is the title of a song written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley. They recorded a demo of the song, which they gave to musician Bob Montgomery. Montgomery then recorded his own demo version of the song, changing it from the mid-tempo version he was given to a ballad...
   
   " (Bette Midler
   Bette Midler
   Bette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
   
   ) - Eliminated, June 1, 2008

Beverly "Bev" Ejercito is 18 from Davao

Davao

Davao refers to several closely related places in Mindanao in the Philippines. The term is used most often to refer to the city.*Davao Region, an administrative region*Davao del Norte province*Davao del Sur province*Davao Oriental province...

. She is a daughter of a company driver and is proud of graduating from high school and winning pageants. She also matches her big hair with her big voice. She auditioned in Pasay.

1. "Crazy
   Crazy (Willie Nelson song)
   "Crazy" is a ballad composed by Willie Nelson. It has been recorded by several artists, most notably by Patsy Cline, whose version was a #2 country hit in 1962....
   
   " (Patsy Cline
   Patsy Cline
   Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
   
   ) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008

Drizzle (Emerald) Muñiz is 28 from Quezon City. She is a professional songwriter who penned one of Sarah Geronimo

Sarah Gerónimo

Sarah Asher Tua Geronimo is a Filipino recording artist, actress and dancer. Geronimo started her career appearing in children's variety shows such as Pen-pen de Sarapen, Ang TV and NEXT...

's songs from the latter's album. She auditioned in Pasay.

1. "My Immortal
   My Immortal
   "My Immortal" is a song by American rock band Evanescence. It was released on December 8, 2003 as the third single from their debut studio album Fallen. The song was entirely written by former guitarist Ben Moody, with the exception of the bridge, which was later added by Amy Lee, and it was...
   
   " (Evanescence
   Evanescence
   Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide...
   
   ) - Eliminated, May 25, 2008

Semifinals weekly song themes

• Week 1 (May 23 & 24): Own choice of songs
• Week 2 (May 30 & 31): Hit songs from year of birth
• Week 3 (June 6 & 7): Greatest musical influences
• Week 4 (June 13 & 14): Songs for fathers

Top 12 finalists

After the eliminating the eleventh and twelfth semi-finalists from the competition, the Final 12 was formally announced on June 15, 2008. The finals, or "gala night" stage, started on June 21, 2008, with eliminations the next night. Like the semi-finals, eliminations during the finals are on a weekly basis for the first seven weeks.

In the eighth week, two finalists were cut from the competition in a single night to accommodate the final three finalists for the finale; that elimination took place on August 10, 2008. The finale shows took place on August 16 and August 17, 2008 at the SMX Convention Center

Smx convention center

The SMX Convention Center is the largest private venue in the Philippines for trade events, industry conventions, corporate functions, and international exhibitions. Its building is located in Pasay City, right beside the Mall of Asia , and is considered an important part of the Mall of Asia Complex...

.

Gretchen (Stephanie) Espina is 20 from Biliran

Biliran

In 1945 liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces of the 9th Infantry Division of the Philippine Commonwealth Army was landed in Biliran with the local guerrilla forces by the attack of the Japanese troops from the island during the Battle of Biliran during World War II.-Conversion:On April...

. She is the daughter of Rogelio J. Espina, the governor of the said province. She is studying in the University of the Philippines, Diliman

University of the Philippines, Diliman

The University of the Philippines Diliman , is a coeducational and public research university located in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the flagship university, seat of administration, and the fourth oldest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System...

 where she is a member of the internationally acclaimed University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors (UPSA). During the competition, she was never in the bottom group. She auditioned in Pasay accompanied by a bodyguard.
Jay Ann "Jayann" Bautista is 21 from Pampanga. She studies in the University of the Philippines, Diliman

University of the Philippines, Diliman

The University of the Philippines Diliman , is a coeducational and public research university located in Quezon City, Philippines. It is the flagship university, seat of administration, and the fourth oldest constituent university of the University of the Philippines System...

 and her parents run their own businesses. She was formerly a talent of VIVA Entertainment

VIVA Entertainment

VIVA Entertainment, Inc., also known as Viva Entertainment Group is a Philippine entertainment company. Its history started in 1981 when Vicente "Vic" del Rosario, Jr. founded Viva Films.-Divisions:*Viva Productions, Inc...

 and had released two albums (2003: JayAnne, 2006: Call Me JayAnne) under its record label

VIVA Records

VIVA Records is Philippine record label. It is subsidiary of VIVA Entertainment.- Artists & Album Releases :* 18 Greatest Hits ** Andrew E.** Basil Valdez ** Jun Pulistico...

. Like Espina, she was never placed in the bottom group during the competition. She auditioned in Angeles.
Ramon "Ram" Chaves III is 25 from Cagayan de Oro. He considers fatherhood as his most cherished accomplishment as his audition in Pasay coincided with his wife giving birth.
Daryl (Jett) Celis is 21 from Rizal. He is a son of an OFW, a bar owner in Japan. He auditioned in Pasay with his grandmother, whom he calls his lucky charm.
Elizalde "Kid" Camaya is 24 from Pampanga

Pampanga

Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...

, as iterated by the program. He currently works for a BPI

Bank of the Philippine Islands

Bank of the Philippine Islands is the oldest bank in the Philippines still in operation and is the country's third largest bank in terms of assets, the country's largest bank in terms of market capitalization, and the country's most profitable bank...

 branch in Quezon City

Quezon City

Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...

, to which his introductory profile refers as his residence. He says that the show is his "dream and passion." He auditioned in Pasay.
Warren Antig is 25 from Baguio City. He also goes under the nickname of "Bordado" because of his tattos. He became notorious for his decision to back out of the competition during the Theater rounds, only to change his mind in the last minute, irking judges Alcasid and Magdangal in the process and causing delays in the taping of those rounds. He auditioned in Dagupan.

Penelope Ann Matanguihan, known only as Penelope in the show, is 16 from Batangas. She is perennial singing champion who is "raring to fight for her family." She auditioned in Batangas.
Kristoffer Rei Tragico, or Toffer Rei in the show, is 23 from Marikina City. He is the son of a driver and a housewife. Despite being from Luzon, he auditioned in Iloilo.
Sue Ellen Cubing, known only as Sue Ellen, is 16 from Iloilo. She is a daughter of a pastor and beauty pageant runner-up. She and her sister, Genevieve, auditioned together in Iloilo and made it through the theater rounds, where Genevieve was among those eliminated.
Roberto "Robby" Navarro, Jr. is 28 from Pampanga

Pampanga

Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...

. He was once part of a singing group called the Wise Guys, but made a difficult decision to go solo, which he claims is paying off. He released an eponymous solo album way back in 1999 under Sony BMG

Sony

, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....

. He auditioned in Angeles.
(Angeli) Mae Flores is 18 from Marikina. She competed in the talent show Star for a Night, the same one in which Sarah Geronimo and Mau Marcelo participated. She auditioned in Angeles.
Jenifer "Jeni" Rawolle is 20 from Paco, Manila

Paco, Manila

Paco, is a district of Manila, Philippines. It is located south of Pasig River, and San Miguel, west of Santa Ana, southwest of Pandacan, north of Malate, northwest of San Andres, and east of Ermita. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 64,184 people in 13,438 households...

. She previously competed in Pinoy Pop Superstar. She auditioned in Pasay.

Finals weekly song themes

• Week 1 (June 21): Songs from their greatest pre-Idol performances
• Week 2 (June 28): Song dedications
• Week 3 (July 5): Songs of their lives
• Week 4 (July 12): Songs sung by Regine Velasquez
  Regine Velasquez
  Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez , better known as Asia's Songbird, Regine Velasquez, is a Filipino singer, actress, record producer and TV host...
  
  
• Week 5 (July 19): Songs sung by Jaya
• Week 6 (July 26): Songs by OPM bands
• Week 7 (August 2): Songs sung by Basil Valdez
  Basil Valdez
  Basil Valdez is a Filipino balladeer.He has received several Tinig Awards and the 1991 Tanglaw ng Lahi Award from Ateneo de Manila University-Biography:...
  
  
• Week 8 (August 9): Greatest Idol performances
• Week 9 (August 16): Judges' choice, favorite mentor's choice, and personal choice

Special guests

The following have become mentors for the finalists. The mentors in Weeks 4, 5, and 7 also supplanted the jury as a special guest judge, while in Week 6, several of the members, if not all members, of each mentor band appeared on stage to oversee the performance of the apprentice finalist.

• Week 4: Regine Velasquez
• Week 5: Jaya
• Week 6 (in order of performance of song): 6 Cycle Mind, Itchyworms, Pupil, Brownman Revival, Cueshé, South Border and Freestyle
• Week 7: Basil Valdez

Finale

Pinoy Idol held its Performance Night Finale on August 17, 2008 at the SMX Convention Center

Smx convention center

The SMX Convention Center is the largest private venue in the Philippines for trade events, industry conventions, corporate functions, and international exhibitions. Its building is located in Pasay City, right beside the Mall of Asia , and is considered an important part of the Mall of Asia Complex...

 at the SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia

SM Mall of Asia is a shopping mall owned and developed by SM Prime Holdings, the largest mall developer and owner in the Philippines. SM Mall of Asia is the 2nd largest mall in the Philippines after SM City North EDSA, 3rd largest shopping mall in Asia and the 4th largest shopping mall in the world...

 in Pasay City. Each of the three remaining contenders performed three songs, one personally chosen by the contestant, one by one of the judges and one by the contestant's favorite mentor. Gutierrez hosted most of the program while joining him in the sidelines were Rhian Ramos

Rhian Ramos

Rhian Denise Ramos Howell, who is better known by her stage name Rhian Ramos , is a Filipina actress, commercial model and singer.-Biography:...

 and Karylle

Karylle

Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari , better known as simply Karylle, has established herself as one of the most talented showbiz personalities in the Philippines. She is a respected singer, actress, TV host, athlete, and a writer/blogger....

. Each song was performed with Tan's band and the group The Opera as back-up singers, just as always. They were also joined in each of two joint performances by Basil Valdez and Regine Velasquez. The bands Freestyle, South Border, Cueshé, and Itchyworms also have performances of their own.

In an unusual instance, the judges held off their comments for each of the finalists' performances until after the last performance of the last finalist. Each of the three judges told one of the three finalists about his comments on the performances as well as those of the other judges.

The next night at the same venue, the star-studded results show was held, headlined by Bautista, Chaves, and Espina together with the rest of the Top 24, performing together with Hajji Alejandro

Hajji Alejandro

Angelito Toledo "Hajji" Alejandro is a Filipino singer and actor, who was a major pop star in the 1970s and 1980s. He is the father of singer Rachel Alejandro, and Delara drummer Ali Alejandro...

, Jett Pangan

Jett Pangan

Jett Pangan is a Filipino singer and guitarist best known for fronting the Filipino rock bands The Dawn, formed in 1985 and still active to date, and the defunct Jett Pangan Group....

, Luke Mejares, Verne Varga, and Duncan Ramos. The third placer was immediately announced soon after with Chaves shut out of the final two, leaving Bautista and Espina in the running for the title.

There were also performances by the bands Pupil, Callalily

Callalily

Callalily is a 4-piece OPM band from the Philippines, composed of Kean Cipriano, Tatsi Jamnague, Aaron Ricafrente and Lemuel Belaro.- Background :...

, and Rivermaya

Rivermaya

Rivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...

.

For their final performance before the announcement of the winner, Bautista and Espina each performed an original composition "To You" by resident judge Alcasid and with the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus as back-up choir.

Espina was voted as the first Pinoy Idol, although no figures were announced for all three finalists. Aside from the title, Espina received P

Philippine peso

The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...

1 million, a condominium unit, a brand new car, a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines, and a television contract with GMA Network.

To date, Valdez and Cueshé were the only acts so far that have performances in both Philippine Idol grand finals shows. They, Alejandro and Mejares were also the only ones to appear in both Philippine Idol shows per se as Alejandro and Mejares appeared as guest judges in Philippine Idol.

Elimination chart

Legend

Top 24	Top 12	Winner

Safe

Safe First

Safe Last

Eliminated

Stage:		Semi-Finals				Finals
Week:		5/25	6/1	6/8	6/15	6/22	6/29	7/6	7/13	7/20	7/27	8/3	8/10	8/17
Place	Contestant	Result
1	Gretchen Espina													Winner
2
3	Ram Chavez													Third Place
4-5	Daryl Celis												Elim
	Kid Camaya
6	Warren Antig											Elim
7	Penelope										Elim
8	Toffer Rei									Elim
9	Sue Ellen								Elim
10	Robby Navarro							Elim
11	Mae Flores						Elim
12	Jeni Rawolle					Elim
13-14	JJ Jr.				Elim
	Carol Leus
15-16	Meryl David			Elim
	Walton Zerrudo
17-20	Rye Estrada		Elim
	Sherwin Marquez
	Regene Ong
	Vren Villaflor
21-24	Elliot Andal	Elim
	Bev Ejercito
	Drizzle Muñiz
	Dio Paolo

Television ratings

The first season premiered with a 26.3 percent rating on GMA Network, behind Bitoy's Funniest Videos' 32.2 percent and Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho's 30.2%. It ended with a 30 and 28 percent rating which landed at the #1 spot in August TV ratings.

Season	Premiered		Ended		TV Season	Timeslot	Rank
	Date	Viewers (perentage)	Date	Viewers (perentage)
1st	April 5, 2008	26.3	Final Performances: August 16, 2008	29.9%	2008	Saturday 7:00PM (performance show)	#1
			Season Finale: August 17, 2008	28%		Sunday 7:00PM (results show)	#1

Reception

Early into the development of Pinoy Idol, there was a growing petition in online forums requesting for Ignacio's exclusion as its program director primarily because of his frequent use of butterflies (whether live butterflies or having people wear butterfly wings) on every project he has directed. He commented that he would still stick to his "lucky trademark" and even taunted petitioners to direct the show and put beetles or mosquitoes on the set if that is what they want.

In an article published before Pinoy Idols premiere, noted film and television critic Nestor U. Torre hoped that the lapses that occurred in Philippine Idol would be remedied in Pinoy Idol. However, once the show went underway, those hopes seem to dampen as Torre noted on the first episode alone some mediocre talent and Gutierrez not yet becoming his own as host. Torre did laud the judging styles of Alcasid and Magdangal and Tracy's emerging Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell

Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...

-like demeanor. One viewer, who wrote to the Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippine Daily Inquirer

The Philippine Daily Inquirer, popularly known as the Inquirer, is the most widely read broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines, with a daily circulation of 260,000 copies. It is one of the Philippines' newspapers of record...

 about the show, was not as impressed when comparing it to Philippine Idol, complaining about Gutierrez's nasal and unnatural hosting style, Magdangal's immaturity as judge and Tracy seemingly imitating Cowell more as compared to Cayabyab.

Meanwhile, entertainment writer Jean Oli wrote that Pinoy Idol does not have that "Idol feel" despite high expectations towards GMA Network, calling it "an ordinary singing contest." She even stated that the network's previous singing contests such as Pinoy Pop Superstar and Celebrity Duets: Philippine Edition were more interesting to watch than Pinoy Idol.

In a post-mortem article written six days after the finale, Torre wrote that the entire Finals phase of the competition came out less exciting than Philippine Idols because of several factors, namely some of the finalists were not even star-material, the entire audition process that put them in the competition in the process, and the early elimination of the better singers from the competition. He even doubts if the winners and others in the competition were really talented and versatile enough to take advantage of the strong support that they had during the competition.

Cancellation

GMA Network was initially deciding on whether to produce a second season of Pinoy Idol. GMA's Senior Vice President for Entertainment Wilma Galvante said that GMA and Fremantle were accessing "learnings" from the first season, such as the text-voting mechanisms, which she said is "different for the Philippines." Eventually, GMA reportedly decided not to renew the franchise for 2009, and instead released details on another new singing competition, Are You the Next Big Star?

Are You the Next Big Star?

Are You The Next Big Star? is a reality music competition to find two new solo musical talents, created and developed by GMA New Media, Inc.. It debuted on May 16, 2009 on GMA Network, and is hosted by Regine Velasquez, with comedian-singer Keempee de Leon as the co-host.The program seeks to...

Meanwhile, the Associated Broadcasting Company

Associated Broadcasting Company

The Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal...

is reportedly prepared to take over the franchise if necessary, though GMA Network still has the option to renew it. As of March 2010, there are rumors that GMA completely gave up the Fremantle franchise and therefore a second season for Pinoy Idol would not materialize.

External links

• Pinoy Idol Official Website