American Idol S11: Philip vs Jessica

I've been a fan of American Idol since the season of David Cook, having followed the show from auditions to finale.  But I would always try to watch whenever a Filipino is in the contest and root for that person to win or at least land in the finals. 

AI S11 Top 2: Philip Philips and Jessica Sanchez

So far, the highest place a contestant with Filipino blood has ever reached is third place, in the person of Jasmine Trias, in the season where another Filipina reached the final 10 -- Camille Velasco. Another Filipina, Ramiele Malubay, joined American Idol and placed 9th during the batch of Cook.  With Jessica Sanchez, the petite 16-year old who has reached the top 2,  American Idol Season 11 is much more exciting.  

Last week, America (and most of the Philippines) voted and chose Jessica Sanchez and Philip Philips as the final two performers to compete for the top spot. Find out who will be the next American Idol during the Grand Finale LIVE via Satellite this Thursday, May 24 at 8 am on ETC.


The Grand Finale night will be broadcast live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles, where we shall see the return of the American Idol Season 11 Top 10, as well as guest performances with the likes of Rihanna, Jason Derulo and Aerosmith.  


Prior to the announcement, Jessica and Philip will perform for the last time for votes during the Top 2 performance show that will be aired on ETC tonight, May 23, Wednesday via satellite at 6 pm, with a primetime telecast at 7 pm and 10 pm. 


This is it! The moment we AI fanatics are waiting for.  Let us vote for Jessica to show support for her talent that truly deserves the win!




Filed under SHOWS

American Idol Live Tour in Manila

American Idol Season 10 finalists and winners are on tour and all of the 11 finalists are here in Manila, having arrived early this Saturday morning, just a few hours before the press conference at the Manila Hotel. It was a hot day and I braved traffic just so I can see them in person, among them grand winner Scotty McCreery, Filipina Thia Megia and my bet James Durbin (did any of you catch my twit about James?). Usually, only the top 10 go on tour but there are 11 talents due to a save by judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

Scotty McCreery and Thia Megia

Stefano Langone and Haley Reinhart

I arrived at the venue in the nick of time as they were being introduced one by one. As they answer questions from the press and guests, I felt that all of them are really passionate about music and that they all have worked really hard to get where they are today. Pia Toscano, for one, shared that she was rejected a lot of times in other auditions, including American Idol season 9 but that didn't stop her to improve and try again for season 10.

Jacob Lusk and Naima Adedapo

James Durbin and Casey Abrams

When asked about what advice they can give to young and aspiring singers and musicians, they were unanimous in saying not to ever give up and never let other people take away the dream. At which point rocker James Durbin bursts into a song, "Don't stop...believing..." with his trademark powerful voice.

Paul McDonald, Lauren Alaina and Pia Toscano

ON VIDEO: When asked about how she feels whenever she is being compared with another Filipino talent, Charice Pempengco, Thia smiled and was gracious in saying that,"...Charice and I are very different artists but she does inspire me." Sorry for the super short clip, was staring at James Durbin almost the whole time that this was the only video I took.

Video

Catch Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Haley Reinhart, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Casey Abrams, Stefano Langone, Paul McDonald, Pia Toscano, Naima Adedapo, and Thia Megia on various mall shows for some meet and greet:

After that, they take the stage for the first time in Asia for a two-night concert at the Smart Araneta COliseum on September 20 and 21, 8 pm. Expect a powercast show as the idols perform on one stage, covering a wide range of music genres -- country, pop, jazz and rock -- with duets and medley's of today's hits plus originals from their individual solo projects.

American Idol Live Tour 2011 press conference

I've been following American Idol since the time two Filipinas joined and placed in the widely watched singing talent show -- AI season 3 third placer Jasmine Trias and finalist Camille Velasco. Admittedly, I found the auditions fun and thrilling as I made fearless predictions on who will make the cut. Since then, more Filipinos took the chance to join and made it until semi-finals -- AI season 7 finalist Ramiele Malubay; season 8 gold ticket recipient Jenesis Samoranos who didn't make it through Hollywood week; season 10 semi-finalist Clint Jun Gamboa and finalist Thia Megia. If I missed some more from the other seasons, please let me know.

Filed under SHOWS

September Concert Scene

The merry "ber" months usher in, not only the Christmas season, but also the "concert season." Proof of this is the long line-up of shows for September alone. If you are in the mood to watch with your family or friends, My Happy Realm is glad to share the following:

All-4-One and Color Me Badd

Two American R&B groups who became popular in the 90s, All-4-One and Color Me Badd, are in Manila for a series of back-to-back shows. They will perform their greatest hits and will do a special tribute to the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson (now this I have to see. All-4-One is best known for the songs "I Swear," "I Can Love You Like That" and "So Much in Love" while Color Me Badd is known for hits "I Adore Mi Amore" and "All 4 Love."

Show will be held on September 7 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum; September 9 at Waterfront Hotel in Cebu; September 10 at Limketkai Mall in Cagayan de Oro; and September 12 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod.

China Crisis xSimple Minds

xSimple Minds Live!

Next stop is another back-to-back concert, this time with 80s (to early 90s) rock bands China Crisis and xSimple Minds, billed as "the superstars of the new romantics movement." China Crisis was just here in Manila last January for shows at Eastwood City and Venice Piazza and I must say that I enjoyed that, despite the traffic caused by heavy rains that day in Eastwood. See my previous blog post about it here: China Crisis...Live in Manila. As for xSimple Minds, they are most memorable, for me that us, with their song "Don't You (Forget About Me)" from John Hughes movie The Breakfast Club.

China Crisis xSimple Minds concert will be held on September 9 at the SMX Convention Center. Furthermore, Simple Minds will also do shows on September 10 at Eastwood City and September 11 at Venice Piazza.

The Company of Side A

On the local music scene, I am most excited about the joint show of The Company and Side A band because I grew up with their songs and I don't think there can be any other singing group or band that can match what they have achieved in their generation, that even today's young ones can still relate to their music. The Company is most memorable with "Everlasting Love," "You Changed My Life," and "Araw Gabi," among others. On the other hand, Side A made their mark with "So Many Questions," "Tell Me," "Forevermore" -- the list could go on and on.

The Company of Side A will be held on September 16 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila.

American Idol Live! Tour 2011

Past American Idol winners and runners-up have done shows in Manila, mostly solo shows and if I'm not mistaken, it was back in 2009 that a back-to-back concert of David Cook and David Archuleta happened. This September show is a first featuring a whole batch of finalists from American Idol, the latest season led by grand winner Scotty McCreery.

Expect a variety of musical styles and production numbers from the 10 performers on September 20 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

All Time Low

For the younger generation, there is All Time Low, an American pop punk group that was formed while the members were still in high school back in 2003. The close-to-zero knowledge on this band pretty much reveals my age because I am clueless when it comes to their popular songs (I may have heard their songs on the radio but I won't be able to tell if those songs were theirs).

Anyway, for those interested, All Time Low's concert will happen on September 22 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Westlife, The Gravity Tour 2011

Fans of the good looking Irish boy band, Westlife, can rejoice as they perform in Manila for The Gravity Tour 2011, minus member Brian McFadden, who left the group in 2004. The group may seem to have lied low in the past years but they have been busy doing concerts and music albums, the latest of which is their Gravity CD.

The concert on September 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is for the promotion of their new CD, but I hope that there'll be room for some of their greatest hits like "Swear it Again," "If I Let You Go," "Unbreakable," and others.

Broadway Showstoppers

Here's another show featuring homegrown yet world class talents -- Broadway Showstoppers -- headlined by Leo Valdez, with special guests Joanna Ampil and Ima Castro. As the title suggests, look forward to a night of musical brilliance of broadway songs from Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Sound of Music, and many more.

Grab the chance to watch this one night only show at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila on September 27.

Toni G. @ 10

Ending the September line-up is the 10th anniversary celebration concert of local showbiz' "Multimedia Star" Toni Gonzaga. The show will tell the story of Toni's decade-long journey in showbusiness, featuring songs of her life and from her recordings.

Toni G. @ 10 will be held on September 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

There you go, a busy month for the concert scene...wait until its October as more great shows come our way.

Click titles to see related posts:

My Romance with AI - A.I. David Cook, David Archuleta, Adam Lambert and Lee Dewyze

China Crisis...Live in Manila - China Crisis press con/concert in 2011

My Few Seconds with A.I. 2009 Winner Kris Allen - Video Q&A

Music Fest 2010 - American Idol Kris Allen's press con/concert

My Public Life in 2009, Part 1 - Concerts in Manila in 2009

My Romance with AI

It all started with chance viewings of the American Idol (AI) show whenever I was on business trips -- was able to watch the finals of AI Season 5, where Taylor Hicks emerged as the grand winner; and AI Season 6, with Jordin Sparks taking the spot. It was only in American Idol Season 7 did I begin to follow the show religiously (on replays most of the time since the live telecasts were too early and am still at work).

I rooted for David Cook all the way from auditions to finals and was estatic when he won over David Archuleta. A fanatic, I downloaded all his AI performances and even made his rendition of Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby" my mobile ringtone and am still using it until now. I went to his press conference and also braved the crowds to watch him live in concert at the SM MOA Open Grounds last May 2009.

AI Season 8 was different story wherein my bet, Adam Lambert, only won second place to the underdog Kris Allen. I watched the finals live very early in the morning at the Star World-Dream Cable exclusive showing at the Greenbelt 3 cinema and was disappointed with the result.

Anyway, Kris Allen show that he greatly improved through the weeks at AI and I guess that was what the show was all about as opposed to Adam Lambert's stellar performances since the beginning of the season.

I also attended his press conference and had my few seconds of fame during the Q&A portion. Click here to see my previous blog entry with a video clip of the interview. Did not watch Kris Allen's concert but did not dare miss Adam Lambert's Glamnation in Manila in October 2011.

AI Season 9 was a little different for me because I had four bets -- the gothic belter Siobhan Magnus, the handsome Casey James, the spunky Cystal Bowersox and of course, Lee Dewyze. It turns out all of them landed in the Top 10 with Siobhan at sixth place, Casey at third place, Crystal at second place and Lee ran away with the top prize.

Now my eyes are on AI Season 10, especially that the finals is near with only five contenders. I was rooting for Thea Megia for obvious reasons but she was eliminated from the Top 10. Let's see if James Durbin gets the top spot.

Now for the good news...American Idol Season 9 winner will be here in Manila for a two-night concert. See and hear Lee Dewyze live at Venice Piazza on May 7 and at Eastwood Mall on May 8.

Sad to say I won't be able to go to the press con, as well as watch the concert, for I will be at the Fuego Sunset Run this weekend. To those who are watching, let me know if you enjoyed the show, ok?