Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3: Third Semi-Finals

There are four contenders who made it to the grand finals of the third season of Pilipinas Got Talent. The shadow theater group El Gamma Penumbra from week 1 and Sandugo from week 2 are the top winners of text and online votes. On the other hand, the contemporary dancing duo Lucky Twins and singer Muriel Lomadilla won the judges' votes to make it to the finale.

Who among the third batch of semi-finalists will make it to the grand finals? Will it be the powerful vocals of Lyn del Rosario make her way towards the finale? Can Synergy's world-class pole dancing and aerial acrobatics made them as the next grand finalists? Will the flexible and death-defying moves of Gensan Contortionists impress the judges? Will the Jive Dancers make it as the first all-female dance crew to make it on the grand finals? Will Rhonsben Jonota made a superb performance this round after he received a standing ovation from the judges? Will Jefferson and Kurt Bringas will make a touching impact because of their cool talent and touching life story in order for them to win the contest?

The third batch of semi-finalists: singer Lyn del Rosario, all-female dance crew Jive Dancers, aerial acrobatics troupe Synergy, acoustic duo Jefferson & Kurt Bringas, child singer Rhonsben Jonota and contortionist duo Gensan Contortionist.

The first act of the night was the 11-year old singer Rhonsben Jonota with his rendition of Angeline Quinto's "Patuloy ang Pangarap." He had a clear delivery of lyrics, he can sing with emotions and he owned a wide range of voice. Overall, it was a very good performance.

Gensan Contortionists shown an amazing and difficult acrobatics and contortionist moves. They have very flexible moves with various movements in their routine. However, it was very fast and predictable.

The Bringas Brothers (Jefferson and Kurt) performed the 90's classic "More Than Words" by Extreme. They have cool vocals, accompaniment and musicality for acoustic type of music. They  truly own the song and they are simply fantastic. Besides, they inspire other people because of their sob story and their down-to-earth personality.

The Jive Dancers shown a sexy and groovy multi-track dance routine and proved that female dance crew can dominate in a prestigious talent search (most of the dance crews joined in talent search in Philippine TV are composed of male members). They have the street dancing and hiphop moves with energy and truly feminine.

Lyn del Rosario sang Heart's "What About Love" which on that night is her birthday. It was a rockin performance and the song choice suits her vocal range but she didn't reach the higher notes.

The aerial acrobatics troupe Synergy shown a truly world class performance which reminds me of Cirque de Soleil and Amazing Show. The body paints and costumes are truly effective in stage set-up, the pole dancers shown a death-defying moves plus the aerialists did a breathtaking and intense performance (especially the one with a bicycle) which is fantastic and superb. 

Gala Dyournal: The 32nd Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center

The 32nd Manila International Book Fair entrance.

Last September 17, 2011, the 32nd Manila International Book Fair was held at SMX Convention Center at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The book fair was participated by different publishing companies and bookstores in the Philippines, supported by SM Mall of Asia as the main venue for this event. I visited various booths in the said book fair from educational books which offers encyclopedias and discuss lessons in different school subjects for student to religious and inspirational books which help to improve our spiritual life.

PSICOM Booth

In the said book fair, right after I visited the religious and educational sections, I visited the PSICOM booth where they publish cookbooks, anime magazines, horror stories, and humor books. In the said booth, I saw the comedian Tado Jimenez with his signing of his book entitled "Ikatlo sa Huling Libro." While waiting, I bought the three Chopsticks series and Suplado Tips book for only P50.00 each with the total of P200.00. Then right after thirty minutes of waiting and visiting different booths, the Fil-Chinese cartoonist, stand up comedian, host and the author of comics strip Chopsticks and the bestselling book Suplado Tips, Stanley Chi arrived in the booth. In the book fair, I completed the three Chopsticks series and the Suplado Tips book which he signed all the four books he wrote. Although he is a suplado, he is a very nice and accommodating person. 

The Chopsticks comic book collection from series 1 to 3.

Congratulations Stanley Chi for the continuous success in your writing career and you made a part in a book fair plus more power to your new show in GMANews TV called Hecklines and I hope that you win in Komikon Awards. (You got my vote!) I would like to thank Mr. Chi for signing my book and giving the gift certificate and at last I see you in person and to the two kuyas who assist and accommodate me (especially the one who take picture of Stanley and I) thanks a lot for the time and bonding.

His latest book, Suplado Tips.

The first Chopsticks series.

Stanley Chi signing the book.

The author and cartoonist Stanley Chi  and his book Suplado Tips. please buy at your nearest bookstores.

Therefore, this book fair is successful because of the people who attended this event ranging from students to teachers, from young professionals to executives, from book lovers to bloggers and most of all to the authors, educators, and management and staff of different publishing companies who participated in the said event as well with the SM Mall of Asia management,  kudos for the successful event.

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3: Second Semi-Finals

The second batch of semi-finalists: Saurog Dance Troupe, Willy Cordovales, Sandugo Band, Marvic Alvarez, Geo Ed Rebucas and Muriel Lomadilla.

After we witnessed the first semi-finals night where the shadow theater group El Gamma Penumbra and contemporary dancing duo Lucky Twins got the first two slots for the grand finals, 6 contenders with different talent battling for the second semi-finals of Pilipinas Got Talent.

The show opened with the rendition of Mariah Carey's "I'll Be There" from the falsetto singer Geo Ed Rebucas. He can reach the high notes and clean falsetto while singing. It was a good start but in the middle of the song it fell short. However, it was a good performance. 

The 16-member dance troupe from Eastern Samar called the Saurog Dance Troupe shown the liveliness of youth in their performance. I love the concept, costumes and the music choice from the musical "Grease." They have the precise choreography and it was an enjoyable performance.

The 40-year old tricycle driver Willy Cordovales made an impressive auditions with his performance of "Narito" by Gary Valenciano. In his semi-finals performance of "Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin" by Joey Albert, he had a vocal range which is similar to Basil Valdez and Martin Nievera, he has a powerful vocals, clear diction but the song choice is predictable.

The 8-year old metal balancer and twirler Marvic Alvarez did a good hand and eye coordination in twirling and turning the metals even it has a fire. It was an amazing act for his age plus it was very predictable.

The reggae band from San Pablo City, Laguna Sandugo performed Mike Hanopol's classic "No Touch" with a combination of rock and reggae in their performance. They have a very good and consistent showmanship and musicality, singing talent of the vocalist and musicians were fantastic and they have the energy and entertainment value.

The half-Nigerian, half-Filipina singer Muriel Lomadilla from Cebu sang Adele's "Rollin in the Deep." She had the soulful voice of a R&B singer, clear diction and a very good song choice which matches her vocal quality. She is truly a world-class and international performer as well with a radio-friendly voice.

An Extraordinary Facebook Friendship with the Young Sand Artist

"There are people who had 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800 up to 2000 friends in Facebook. But I wonder: How many among your Facebook friends will understand when you have a problem? Who among these friends will share with your happy moments and comfort you in times of trouble."

Since 2009, I created my Facebook account for communication purposes with my family, relatives and friends. As a matter of fact, I met a lot of people which I considered as my friends, although I didn't know them personally. I get to know them through chat and only few of them will respond plus I already get their contact numbers which signifies that our friendship will getting stronger. 

One of my friends that I met in Facebook is Mark Kenneth Dolom, the young sand artist from Puerto Princesa City. He joined in the second season of Pilipinas Got Talent with his sand art performance in the tune of "Heal The World." He is still very young to do this kind of art but he has the potential. I added him in my Facebook account and I gave him a personal message which means that I appreciate his work. He responded by saying thank you plus I also included him in my review because his act was truly unique.

Mark Kenneth Dolom with his audition in the second season of Pilipinas Got Talent. Continue to keep up the good work in achieving your dream to become a successful young sand artist. The second picture shows a phoenix in his sand art piece which shows his skill.

As the days passed by, we were able to chat with each other and exchanging some sort of stories in Facebook and we exchange our contact numbers. There is also a time when we had a  simple misunderstanding but we solved that problem. But the most unforgettable experience with him is when he approached me to ask for help in making a concept in his sand art about history. I shared a lot of ideas with him about history plus I also research music or song choice for his sand art plus we had a brainstorming session where we combine our ideas to form a sand art.

I can describe Kenneth as a person who is friendly, accommodating, understanding and a very humble person. He accept the fact that he is just a beginner and he is keep on working hard to perfect his craft. He also knows how to appreciate other people who helped and supported him. (Maintain that kind of attitude!) Although other people think of him as a boastful person, but he is not that kind of person. Anyway, Kenneth keep on reaching to your dreams to become the master sand artist. Good luck and God Bless! 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENNETH! I watched your current sand art video in the tune of "Go The Distance" you improved a lot and more practice to go and you will make it to the top! Never forget the people who supported you, refrain from negative vibes in your environment (don't get influenced by negative forces like vices and bad attitude), be humble and always be thankful and close to God. Kudos!

When the Young Blogger Meets the Youngest Presidentiable

JC Delos Reyes, the youngest presidential candidate of 2010 elections.

John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes is a 2010 presidential candidate from Olongapo City. He is the standard-bearer of Ang Kapatiran Party last elections and the youngest among the presidential contenders. He is also the nephew of Richard Gordon.

I added him in my Facebook account because of his sincerity to run as a president and his passion to help our country towards progress and change. He approved my friend request and one day I was able to have a chat with him, telling that although he make it as the last place and did not win the elections , try to run again in the 2013 Senatorial Elections because of his sincerity and credibility in the politics. After that, he is able to like my essays on online abuse and priorities on ICT in the Aquino administration in my Facebook account. Because of that I send him a message by giving an appreciation on liking my notes (essays) in Facebook. Then after that, he responded by saying that “he was flattered in my note and ICT should be one of the priorities for the new administration.” In my next article about the impacts of issues on violence like the Maguindanao Massacre and the recent Manila Bus Hostage, he also likes my article and he gave a comment about it. Then, when I saw his mobile phone number in his Facebook account, I try to dial it and then he answer by telling that I am the one who create some essays about national issues and exchange of “thank you” for liking my essay and calling him within 2 minutes.

I can say to him that he is a young and soft-spoken person with sincerity and conviction on what he believes in a particular issue. He is a credible politician with a positive thought about changes in the current mainstream in Philippine politics and he believes that we should fight corruption in the government. He is also a nice and humble person, a politician who believes that God is the center of politics and public service and he helps other people toward progress. There are two things that I learned from Sir JC: to stand on my own viewpoint which I am going to side in the particular issue and to have conviction in myself. Although I did not voted for him and he is my third favorite presidentiable among the ten candidates, I really appreciate him more after the elections and I encourage more to write articles and essays about national issues. Hopefully our communication still continues and someday, I will meet him in person.

THANKS SIR J.C.! GOD BLESS =D

A Chat with Wanlu: The Ventriloquist Hall of Famer in Talentadong Pinoy

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2010, 8:00 - 9:00 PM 

I experienced an unexpected chat in facebook with Wanlu, the famous puppeteer and Hall of Famer in Talentadong Pinoy. First, I said to him that he and his puppets are great in terms of entertainment. He responded by saying “thanks :)” It followed by asking him a question about the importance of humility as a secret of success and he replied that it is important but he asked me a question “what is humility?” and when I replied he said that he was only joking and he knew the meaning of it but the most important thing in success is putting God in all the things we do and being humble comes from the heart not in appearance. Suddenly, I shared my experience on the wrong impression that I am boastful (I’m just only sharing my knowledge and experience on my success) and the dream of becoming a successful gameshow contestant at my young age. Then he said that “God knows that I am not boastful and he will keep an eye for me on Who Wants to be a Millionaire.”

I learned a lot of things on this experience such as put God in our hearts and in everything we do and humility is important in different aspects of life. Thanks for this wonderful experience.

 jonathan =)

Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3: First Semi Finals

Who among the first batch of semi finalists will make it to the grand finals? Will it be the saxophonist Kristoffer Campos, the rock band Seedz, the singer from Hong Kong Rita Paraiso, the young singer Pauline Agupitan, the shadow theater group El Gamma Penumbra or the contemporary dancing duo Lucky Twins?

The first set of semi-finalists on Pilipinas Got Talent Season 3. Upper row (L-R) Kristoffer Campos, saxophonist from Baguio City, Seedz Band, rock band from Negros Occidental, Rita Paraiso, singer from Hong Kong; Lower row (L-R): Pauline Agupitan singer from Lipa City, El Gamma Penumbra, shadow theater group from Batangas and Lucky Twins, contemporary dancing duo from Leyte.

The first act of the night is the rock band from Escalante City, Negros Occidental named Seedz Band.  They performed a Juan Dela Cruz classic "Beep Beep Beep" where the vocalist and the musicians are rockers in terms of their showmanship, stage movements, and the attitude. The lead vocalist has a strong showmanship in his performance. 

The 11-year old singer from Lipa City, Batangas Pauline Agupitan did a very good rendition of "I Surrender" by Celine Dion. She has the clear diction, powerful and dynamic vocals and according to Freddie M. Garcia, she is simply incredible.

The contemporary dancing duo from Tacloban City, Lucky Twins have the posture and the skill to become interpretative dancers. They have the synchronized choreography and they danced with passion and grace without losing their masculinity which remarked by Kris Aquino.

The only saxophonist who made it to the semi finals of Pilipinas Got Talent is Kristoffer Campos from Baguio City. He performed Ariel Rivera's "Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin" which his performance reminds me of Kenny G in terms of playing the saxophone. The dynamics were flawless and it was a refreshing act in Pilipinas Got Talent.

The 39-year old performer from Hong Kong Rita Paraiso sanG Patpi Austin's version of "It Might Be You." She showed that she is an experienced performer with her of powerful voice, clear delivery of lyrics and the accompaniment is very good as well with her song choice. Her performance is truly mesmerizing and I think she is the first female singer in PGT who received a standing ovation.

The first semi-finals ends up with the shadow theater group El Gamma Penumbra from Batangas. They have the very good movements and formation of shapes through shadow play. But the best thing that impressed me in their performance is the concept of a Filipino going to different places in abroad which gives a  world geography lesson and the lesson that whatever countries and places in the world you visit, there is no place like home which is the Philippines. They are one of the most exceptional acts in PGT.

In addition, the Got Talent franchise challenged Pilipinas Got Talent that Filipinos has not just only focus on singing talent but in other talents as well like dancing and variety.