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Maxie Cinco is eliminated in Celebrity Duets 3

With the exit of Maxie Cinco (in photo), six contenders are left in Celebrity Duets 3, GMA-7's reality singing competition.

Author: Bettina Sandiego

Celebrity fashion designer Maxie Cinco was officially eliminated from the celebrity singing competition Celebrity Duets 3 last Saturday, October 10, leaving six contenders to vie for the one million cash prize.

With Maxie's exit this week, six celebrity contenders remained: fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme, 2009's WBA Superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr., actress and director Gina Alajar, perfume line owner Joel Cruz, Brazilian-Japanese model Akihiro Sato, and actor and concert producer Jomari Yllana.

The theme for the performance night was "Close To You," which featured duet partners dear to the contenders.

First to perform was fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme, singing Tom Jones' "Sex Bomb" with close friend and character impersonator Ate Glow, who appeared in a sparkling Filipinana. Niccolo failed to receive praises from some of the judges the past weeks, and for this performance, he admitted that he approached Ate Glow, because he wanted to look for new ways to impress the judges.

It seemed that he succeeded in his plans, as celebrity judge Tessa Prieto-Valdez raved about his performance. "Every week I'm really entertained by your number," the Season 1 Grand Winner told the fashion photographer. "It's so creative. You're not just singing the song, laging iba yung version. I really want you to stay 'til the end, Niccolo! You better be there!"

Next was boxing champ Nonito Donaire, Jr. who immediately chose his wife, Rachel Donaire, after he heard the theme for this week. The couple sang and danced ballroom to Dirty Dancing's "Time of my Life." Before the performance, Rachel shared that she and Nonito do everything together, from music and sports, to singing and dancing.

Composer Danny Tan praised Nonito's number. "Definitely there was chemistry, there was focus. I really admire your sense of rhythm. Napaka-graceful mong sumayaw," he continued, "and you enjoyed the performance. Lumabas talagang mahal na mahal mo wife mo," he added, taking into consideration Nonito and his wife's sweet kiss after the performance.

Celebrity fashion designer Maxie Cinco followed suit, with best friend and soul sister Philip Lazaro. They impersonated Sharon Cuneta's Dorina Pineda and Cherie Gil's Lavinia Arguelles in the '80s mega-blockbuster "Bituing Walang Ningning." In flashy evening gowns and wigs, they performed the hit song of the same name.

"You are for me the most entertaining among all the contestants," remarked judge Tessa Prieto-Valdez. "Every week pinaghihirapan mo, from the costume, the singing, the drama, the hair. Every week I'm excited na lang, I'm gonna see you til the finals. Maxie. You're so galing. I love it!"

But despite Tessa's praises and prediction, Maxie was forced to exit the show later on due to low audience votes.

Following Maxie on the concert floor was award-winning actress and director Gina Alajar, who took the stage with eldest son, actor Ryan Eigenmann. Gina shared that she chose her son (with actor Michael de Mesa) because she and Ryan were close enough to share secrets and problems. Channeling the 80's vibe and in retro costumes, both sang and danced to "Footloose".

Stage director Freddie Santos commended Gina's performance for the past weeks. "100% energy," he observed. "She was livelier than her own son, she was livelier than the dancers," said the judge. "You've gotta give everything you've got, gano'n lang yun ka-simple. And it was all there. Way to go, Gina."

Crowd favorite and perfume line owner Joel Cruz was next, this time singing with long-time endorser Lovi Poe. In matching red and white costumes, they grooved to Ric Astley's "Together Forever."

Said Freddie of this performance, "Right before you started singing," he told Joel, "sabi ko nga kina Danny, I'm looking forward to hearing you, [and] I hope he does well, kasi bagay sa kanya yung kantang 'to. Magka-boses sila ni Ric Astley," noted the judge. "Not bad! Kasi the last two weeks, parang masyadong pilit yung boses. This time it came out nice and easy. Relax. It worked very well."

Brazilian-Japanese model Akihiro Sato, who was supposed to sing with fellow Brazilian model Daiana Meneses, took the stage with SOP mainstay Aicelle Santos instead. With a dramatic backdrop of plants and a wrought-iron bench, they performed an Ogie Alcasid original, "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?"

The performance prompted host Ogie Alcasid to comment, "You sang that so well, better than the original, whoever he is," the songwriter said jokingly.

Laughing at Ogie's surprising comment, Tessa admired Akihiro's performance. "Buti na lang you are so cute," she told the model, "so it doesn't matter what I say. You're so good. Akihiro, you're so charming. Even if it's primarily a singing contest, you took a chance, nag-Tagalog ka. So good effort. Although you didn't sing as well as the original, your performance was so charming," said Tessa.

Last to perform was actor and concert producer Jomari Yllana with duet partner and close friend, actor Joey Marquez. Joey shared that Jomari is his teacher in love and that they are really close, having known each other for so long. In matching cowboy outfits and with a display of sexy girls and round tables, they sang Fred Panopio's "Ang Kawawang Cowboy." Making a cameo appearance was Jomari's brother, actor Anjo Yllana in a Zorro-like costume.

Judge Danny Tan liked Jomari's gimmick. "I think ito yung pinaka-nakakatawang ginawa ni Jomari so far," he said. "Natawa ako, nag-enjoy ako. Lumabas pagiging artista mo," noted Danny. "Maganda kombinasyon niyo ni Joey [at] para sa akin, best performance eh!" he exclaimed. "Kinalimutan ko na pagkanta. Pure entertainment. Ang galing."

Taking the Bottom Three this week were Akihiro Sato, Nonito Donaire, Jr., and Maxie Cinco. In the end, hosts Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez announced that fashion designer Maxie Cinco received the lowest number of votes and had to bid farewell.

Source: Philippine Entertainment Portal