Wednesday, November 22, 2006

I Didn't Want Pow To Go


Being a judge on Philippine Idol was an interesting experience.

From the get go I was encouraged to be frank... be honest... to just tell the idols what I thought of their performances. I felt it would be a good thing to get down to brass tacks and get specific with whatever I thought was not quite up to snuff. But, I also told myself to be generous with praise, if I felt it was deserved.

However, I also realized that as a judge, I have little to no influence on the voting. And ultimately, the true judges of the contest were the viewing public.

And it was a bit unfair.

Truth be told, the sound quality inside the theater was spectacular! I could hear nuance and expression, in spite of the crowd's applause. The band's mix was wonderful, and the singers were never drowned out. Not too much bass... or treble... nothing. It sounded perfect and I was having myself a jolly good time. But I knew that this greatness of a show that I was seeing was not by any means the same show the TV audience was seeing. Not by a longshot. I've seen Philippine Idol at home, and the sound quality is absolutely terrible. As in, not even passable. As in, unfair to the viewing public that deserves to hear what I heard.

Tip: watch it on YouTube to get an idea of what we heard.  And ABC-5, FIX THIS!!!

Anyway... back to my topic.

Perhaps it wasn't Pow's best night before the microphone, and perhaps the production people choosing "I'd Give My Life For You" signalled her downfall (to her credit she sang it well, better than a few Kims I've watched in the past).  But still, I don't think she should have been booted off this week.  She's clearly one of the better performers with a crystal clear powerful voice that's easy on the ear.  There isn't a lot of that around now, and her unique persona in a sea of homogeneity is something refreshing.  I wish her nothing but the best in this business... there's a place for a voice like hers.

So... place your bets.  Who do you think will take the title home?  Let's see over the next two weekends just who will step up to the plate, throw caution to the wind and just perform their best. 

Break a leg, you guys.



29 comments:

tin samson said...

hi lea! i agree.. like you said in your reply in your other blog entry na you didn't want pow to go, certainly not before jan or miguel, same here. i was hoping the final 3 would be gian, mau and pow.

and yes, nothing beats watching the show live. i would've really wanted to watch the performance night live, but i was only able to get tickets for results night. and iba talaga live. last night nga, i remembered how the judges on am. idol would say that they watched the recorded show again when they got home, and they had different opinions after watching the telecast. and i was thinking that it really is unfair. because the people watching at home (a much, MUCH bigger number compared to those watching live at the theater) get the lower quality of the performances because of the telecast

btw, you said that the prod people chose pow's song for her? i thought the contestans get to choose their songs???

i say GIAN is the first phil. idol!!! really liked him from the very beginning bec i knew of him na from once and beauty. knowing his background is in theatre also helped me decide on that. ;)

too bad you won't be performing in the finale... have fun at the ASEAN summit! :)

Li'l Dove Feather said...

If the people will think hard (and fairly), I'm betting on either Mau or Gian. Heck, I'll vote for both of them.

I agree with you about Pow. I was actually surprised she sang it nicely. Well, except in some parts. (BTW, thanks for saying she doesn't need to wear a skirt. I agree with you)

Rico del Rosario said...

I know someone from ABC5. Might as well share the concern.

Jheck David said...

I had a feeling that Pow will be booted out. I felt that no matter how good she did that night, going against Miguel and his supporters wouldn't prosper. As you said, it is about the voter's choice. It happens even in AI. Miguel might even go for the 3rd slot ala Jasmine T. What Mau said before that these type of contests are more into one's popularity and likability rather than real talent is partly true. However, let's just remember that a truly talented individual cannot be put down. Sometimes, the runner-ups of these contests become more successful rather than the actual winners. T'was a good fight, though, for Pow! :-)

Ms. Lea, thank you for being part of PI! If they'd ask you to be resident judge in the coming seasons, will you accept it?

Raine Rafael said...

Miss Lea, you really are Simon Cowell - Paula Abdul rolled in one... You can be tough and sweet at the same time! (And oh, please accept the offer if they ask.. I don't really watch P.I., I stick to A.I. but I will watch it if you're there - just what I did last week... hehe.. *winks*)

Chinky Fuentes said...

Pow really sang the song well. When she started the song, I had goosebumps. It was so sweet and buo ang boses nya. Too bad she was voted out. Who knows what's on people's mind? Sometimes they don't analyze the quality of the voice. But, I would like to hear her sing again. If she's going to release and album, il buy it.

Please say yes, Lea, if they want you to judge again.

~ Anne said...

I really like Pow's clear sweet voice. Sad, but we have to let her go for the moment. Anyway, good luck to Mau and Gian. Grabe pa din ang voting bloc nila Miguel and Jan. I can't believe that someone could actually buy the Philippine Idol title tsk

Lhen Paredes said...

First, may I just say thank you for your very objective criticisms of the final 5. You must have noticed that a number of judges (resident and guests) have been reluctant to share with the audience their genuine feelings about a contestant's performance. Glad to know what you thought of Pow and thank so much for making those remarks about Pow's clothing preference. Pow made it clear that she was immensely grateful for your refreshing comments (as opposed to Ms. Corales and Francis M.'s annoying remarks about her style).

melanie villafranca said...

I want Gian to win, because he has a great voice and he is a really good performer... and Ohww... He is cute too... my runner up is of course Mau, galing nya eh... and she has a powerful voice..

f8th :) said...

Lea, talk about watching stuff on YouTube!! Found this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tolmg-iCZsg Girl, I luuuuuv you to death and I think you were so adorable in this interview...but what was up with the Brit accent?? And when did you lose it? Anyway, thought it was the cutest thing. You rock!

jude quiroz said...

. i've heard the idols before and i think that pow is the weakest of the five... but still she's great.....and as what mr c said she's like a modern kundiman singer.
and she has the "likeability" factor as what simon would call it..

vocally speaking i think its neither gian or mau... besides who will stay and who will leave will vary on the people's vote...

vote wisely..

Carmel Hombrebueno said...

I also didnt want Pow to go. I got teary eyed when she was thanking all the people who supported and accepted her.

I hope Gian will be the first Philippine Idol. =)

betsy . said...

I think Gian has better chances of becoming the first Philippine Idol. He is very comfortable on stage and knows how to engage the crowd, all these wrapped in very nice package :)

Joelle Peralta said...

When I watched the first finalists' performance night, I actually had a chance to tell Pow that I was seriously rooting for her. Yes, I'm a FAN, and perhaps one of the biggest at this stage of her career. She convinced me that she has what it takes the very first time I watched her did that "I Want You Back" bit during the auditions.

It's such a shame that the voting populace chose (gasp) Jan and Miguel over her.

Anyhow, Mau's still up and fighting so my fingers are still crossed, hoping that the first Philippine Idol wouldn't be much of a disappointment to those who actually have the eye (or ears, in this case) for sheer talent.

I know Pow does regular gigs with her band somewhere in QC, so I don't feel that robbed naman of the chance to watch her again perform and leave me in awe. Sana sumikat sya!

Hi Ms. Lea! I'm a big fan of yours rin pala, since the time you sang "I'd like to teach the world to sing..." for this milk ad. Ano na nga ba yun? Nestle Twin (plugging, unintended). =)

betsy . said...

I think it was KLIM,

Joelle Peralta said...

oh yeah, KLIM! My bad!

mildred roques said...

yah i saw it in YOUTUBE wala akong abc-5 d2 sa france!!!pinoy academy lang UF?
para mo silang pinitpit na bawang ah ..but thats cool...hahaha ang tindi joke hahahahah...sana magjudge karin sa pinoy academy na magising sila na mali sinalihan nila grabee !!!oh diba...gros bisous... :-)

Chinky Fuentes said...

Lea, you looked so young on the videos at YouTube! But you're prettier now. Lots of wisdom on your face and the way you move. But I still enjoyed watching you when you were younger.

Dana Finley said...

Lea, it was interesting to read about your experience as a guest judge on Philippine Idol. You said the girl who sang "I'd Give My Life For You" was better than some that you have heard. I am curious to know who you have seen as Kim, though I read a transcript of a chat where you said you liked Jennifer Paz. Jennifer is the only Kim I have seen, and I agree she was great. I would have liked to have seen both Rona Figueroa and Ma-Anne Dionisio play Kim, since I got to see both of them play Eponine in "Les Miserables." Which brings me to another question, who have you seen play Eponine and who was/are your favorite(s)? You are one of my favorite Eponines btw, along with Rona and Ma-Anne, and your performance in the Tenth Anniversary concert is a reason why I became a fan of Les Mis. I wish I could have seen you in the show live.

I wanted to add that I did watch the video of Pow, and agree with you that she is pretty good.

Gibbs Cadiz said...

hi lea, gibbs here. learned of your blog only now, darn. :) am here to return the favor--for all the visits and comments on my blog. and, of course, reading you and knowing your thoughts on things is always a pleasure. best regards. i'll be back, definitely. :)

Risa Casambros said...

Hi Lea. You were a great judge. The voters actually listened to you because the top 2 you mentioned really did become the top 2 for that week.
It was sad that Pow had to go. I really admire her for being true to herself, and for her passionate singing. Indeed there's a place for someone like her in the business.

ramon se said...

hi lea!

this is actually an off topic respond.

the green bottle reminds me of a "Police" song, sung by Sting entitled "Message in a Bottle".

have a nice day. :)

Grace Garcia said...

Hi Lea!

I agree that Pow shouldn't have gone...but oh well, the votes were in!

Thank you for being a fair judge - you were frank without being mean. c",)

BUGSEY S said...

we haven't heard the last of him yet!

rhenalie rosaldo said...

I cried when pow was voted out. I really lost my appetite watching the show. Pow is undeniably unique and versatile. She has a very sweet voice. Wow! I hope I can see more of her and I know she can do it if there will be open room for her. I just hope there were attentive producers and composers during her time in Philippine Idol. Thanks lea for being so honest and sympathetic.

MiCheLLe . said...

Wow, so you have visited Pinoy Dream Academy! Seen the teaser on PDA Uplate and I was so, and I mean so surprised! Can't wait to watch it on primetime tonight!

melanie villafranca said...

Mau was great last sunday... she deserves to win Philippine Idol... :-)

Yeah... I saw PDA a while ago, i was surprised to see you there miss lea... :-) you didn't wear to much make-up and you still looked great.... Love yah! im a big fan.... Guten nacht everyone!

melanie villafranca said...

and Oww... i joined the lea salonga group here in multiply... hehehe the site was cool... and updated!

Raine Rafael said...

I saw you in PDA too... and the moment you stepped inside the room, i cried... haha! Very sensible lahat ng sinabi mo sa kanila... you're the best!