On their way up

Author: Ambet R. Nabus
Column: Take Two

This is it; no turning back na po, said Ram Chavez, the only male hopeful who made it to the top three.

Im nervous, excited, thrilled and afraid, mixed emotions po talaga, added Jayann Bautista from Pampanga, who was the first one to be called last Saturday at the Centerstage of Mall of Asia.

I could not believe it. When (idol judges Ogie Alcasid, Jolina Magdangal and Wyngard Tracy) named the contestants whom they felt would make it, and never talked of me, talagang dun pa lang ang feeling ko, argh, masakit, shared Gretchen Espina of Biliran City.

The judges had been asked by Idol host Raymond Gutierrez to name their personal bet. Jolina chose Ram, Ogie thought it would be Kid Camaya and Wyngard was for Jayann. Only the two of their bets made it in the top as Kid Camaya along with Daryl Celis were the last two Idol hopefuls whose journey ended last Saturday.

Now, Gretchen, Jayann and Ram are on equal footing again. Come the finals night, each will have to pump it up and give their best performance yet to make their dreams come true.

Each has promised a great performance come Aug. 16. Wala na po itong lingunan pa. But rest assured po na nakahanda din kami sa mga eventualities. Reaching this far is in itself a very big victory and fulfillment and we ought to enjoy the moment while its there, the top three agreed.

Performing with the idols on Aug. 16 at the SMX of SM Mall of Asia are Regine Velasquez, Basil Valdez, Cueshe, Freestyle, Itchyworms, SoutHBOrder, Hajji Alejandro, Verni Varga, Luke Mijares, Duncan Ramos, Jett Pangan, Pupil, Callalily and the UP Concert Chorus.

After the hopefuls performances on Saturday, text voting will be opened for their supporters until 12 noon of Sunday of Aug. 17, and winner will be announced on the last night of the Pinoy Idol season one, right after Kaps Amazing Stories.

As we prepare to bid the first season of Pinoy Idol goodbye, however, we say hello to TV5.

During the television stations grand press launch, everybody was excited about the role it will play, especially now that there are two competing giant networks aiming for the top post.

We are happy to aim for number two, rationalized Chris Sy, the chief executive officer of TV5. At 39, he is no doubt the youngest CEO in broadcast media today.

Chris does not wish to think of competing with the other CEOs and presidents of Philippine TV giants, whom he respects, saying he is just starting while the others are already pillars in the industry. He wants to concentrate instead on how TV5 can provide fresh and innovative programming to its target audiences.

Some of the programs that TV5 has in its lineup feature talents and artists from ABS-CBN and a few from GMA 7, as well as some freelancers, acting as either main hosts or artists or part of the ensemble.

Where do you expect us to get talents but from the so-called giants? Of course we could always develop our own, but its a long-term goal. Now we have programs that feature those talents to make sure that our viewers know that TV5 is here to co-exist with others, a TV5 executive said.

SHAKE YOUR TV is the new slogan of TV5. They want to call their patrons the Progressive Pinoys.

Among the very popular names that TV5 acquired is Ryan Agoncillo, who will host the program Talentadong Pinoy, to air every Saturday at 6 p.m. This is TV5s answer to the many talent shows other networks have, where millions as prizes spell the difference.

Jomari Yllana is also part of the show called Philippines Scariest Challenge (Fridays at 6 p.m.), while basketball luminaries like coach Norman Black, Jason Webb and comedian Bayani Agbayani join forces in MY MVP, a show that features basketball aspirants who go through a training camp.

The only surviving talent of the previous ABC 5 is the lovely Lucy Torres. Together with Jon Avila and Victor Basa, she hosts the still top-rating Shall We Dance on Sunday nights.

Other big names soon to grace TV5 are TJ Trinidad, Valerie Concepcion, Paolo Contis and even Maricel Soriano, Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla through their movies.

TV5 has invested $2.6 million (about P117 million) on a state-of-the-art Electrosys transmitter that is capable of transmitting 120 kilowatts of power, stronger than any other transmitter that has been set up in the Philippines.

Therefore, expect the battle of networks and great shows to begin once TV5 takes off.

TV5 is a television channel brand of MPB Primedia Inc. a Philippine domestic corporation, which entered into long-term block airtime agreement with Associated Broadcast Company (ABC), which is headed by Antonio Cojuangco.

Source: The Daily Tribune