'Pinoy Pop Super Star' finalists get ready for battle

The seven grand finalists of "Pinoy Pop Superstar" were presented to the members of the press Monday at the Ratsky Tomas Morato in Quezon City. The grand final showdown will be held on May 6 at the Araneta Coliseum where the seven contenders will battle it out for the coveted Pinoy Pop Superstar title.

The seven finalists are Harry Santos (Quezon City), Gerald Santos (Navotas), Aicelle Santos (Manila), Irra Cenina (Pasig City), Denver Regencia (Davao City), Elise Estrada (Canada) and Rosemarie Tan (US), who all have the chance to become the newest singing sensation of GMA-7.

The contenders of "Pinoy Pop Superstar" are in for a tough fight wherein every step forms part of a grueling grind of picking the best among the best. Every performance counts - from the studio of GMA-7, to the nationwide roadshows to be held in Cebu, Baguio, Iloilo, Davao and Manila, until the finals night at the Araneta Coliseum. Plus add to that each contender's performance in the Pinoy Pop Superstar Year 2 Grand Contenders album - each area of the competition has a bearing on the finals proper, wherein the biggest winner in the second year of the talent search will finally be chosen.

The grand champion will get a one-year management contract from GMA 7 and recording contract from GMA Records.

In our interview with Gerald Santos, the contender from Navotas City, we learned that it was his desire to provide a comfortable life for his family that prompted him to join the singing contest hosted by Asia's Songbird, Ms. Regine Velasquez.

Gerald is turning 16 on May 15 and if he emerges as the "Pinoy Pop Superstar," that would be an early birthday gift for the young lad who is entering senior year at the Tangos National High School in Navotas City.

"I really want to win for my family," says the teener. "The winner stands to get a lot of prizes and I know that would be a big help for my family." His father works at the fish port in Navotas, where his mother is also employed as a cashier.

Gerald was 7 when he got interested in singing. The first song he learned was the "Voltes 5" theme song, one that he would always sing in school. Then he got to learn the songs popularized by April Boy Regino. Gerald dreams of becoming a professional singer someday like his idol Ogie Alcasid. And he knows a win in "Pinoy Pop Superstar" is a step closer to his dream. His other favorites are Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Michael Bolton and Barry Manilow.

Whatever happens during the grand finals, he is determined to pursue his dream of becoming a professional singer. He has joined many singing contests as a young boy, winning some but also suffering setbacks as well. But Gerald is deadset on making his dream a reality.

Would you believe that Gerald has stopped eating fish for the time being? "It affects the quality of my voice that's why I had to stop eating fish for a while. I have to take care of my voice, especially since the finals of the contest is fast approaching," he reveals.

When asked whom he considers as the biggest threat in his quest to bag the "Pinoy Pop Superstar" plum, Gerald names Aicelle Santos. He says Aicelle's vocal range is wide and has more experience when it comes to joining singing contests.

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Sexy comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto is leaving nothing to chance as she prepares for her very first major concert titled "RMQ: Bombshell Unleashed" come May 27 at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Manila. This is her initial crack at performing on a concert stage and the sexy comedienne hopes to give nothing but a good show.

Certainly, the sexy mainstay of the top-rating gag show "Bubble Gang" would like to prove that she has the K ("karapatan," in other words) to do a concert. Even her concert director, theater actor-director Peter Serrano, at first didn't want to believe that Rufa Mae got what it takes to sing, much less mount a concert in a venue like Aliw, which has seen the likes of Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Sharon Cuneta, and Kuh Ledesma filling up the venue.

"But when I heard her sing, I was kind of impressed," says Peter. "I was inspired to handle the project which is a challenge because this is also the first time for me to direct her. But even Rufa Mae's voice teacher in UP told me she (Rufa) has a good singing voice. Kailangan lang i-develop."

For her part, Rufa Mae wouldn't want to fall flat on her face in her ambitious bid to stage a concert. She says she's doing everything she can to ensure it would turn out well including seriously taking voice and dance lessons. "It should come as a full packaged concert. Todo na ito talaga," she says with a laugh.

But even if the concert will focus on Rufa Mae's unheard-of singing talent, several comedy numbers will be thrown in for good measure. After all, Ms. Booba is a comedienne (and a good one at that) so what better way to enliven a show than to make use of Rufa Mae's comedic talents.

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Glaiza de Castro graduated from high school last March 26 and the pretty and talented young actress plans to take up Mass Communications in college. She's still looking for a school in which to enroll. She will be entering college at the same time her younger brother does.

Glaiza had to quit school for one year when she became busy with showbiz commitments. Yet, she's happy nonetheless that she found the resolve to finish high school despite her busy schedule. She's looking forward to facing a new life as a college freshman, together with her brother who is planning to take up information technology.

Glaiza's part of the cast of the new Regal Entertainment movie titled "White Lady" that features Angelica Panganiban in the title role. She's being managed by director Manny Valera and ABS-CBN Star Magic.

Aside from doing "White Lady," she has also started work on her album under Dyna Records. She has finished recording four songs for her new album.

She's also in the cast of the comedy flick "Manay Po" where she plays the girlfriend of Polo Ravales, who doesn't know that her boyfriend is a closet gay. "I was hurt when I found out the truth since we were already planning to get married," says Glaiza of her role.

Her other film projects include "Sukob" where she plays cousin to Claudine Barretto's role, and another one featuring the tandem of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Both projects are under Star Cinema.

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Fil-German David Abrenilla considers music as a beloved confidant. After getting acquainted with it at a tender age, music instantly became more than just a hobby - it has shaped into a way of life.

"I started playing the piano when I was around 7 and had (piano) lessons at the Conservatory of Rheinische Music School on Cologne, Germany," he confides.

David, who was born on August 8, 1984, eventually went to further his knowledge about music and performing. At the age of 10, he entered Humboldt Gymnasium, a school for gifted child in music and ballet. Diverse school music programs commonly provided in the West honed David through its other dynamics like basic harmony, choir and acting lessons.

Desiring to go beyond conservative types of music, David then leaned towards jazz and R&B in his teens, prompting him to discover contemporary artists like Oscar Peterson, Coltrane, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Take 6, Brian McKnight and Stevie Wonder. A proud member of the younger MTV generation, David later grew fond of pop "fan" groups like New Kids on the Block, Take That and Backstreet Boys, among others.

Last September 2005, he came to the Philippines to rediscover his roots and while doing so, developed a love for Filipino music that he decided to pursue his singing career here.

A composer himself, he has composed a lot of songs and some of these will be included in his first album under Zoom Music due for release this April. He has performed in numerous corporate shows and toured the country with other talents from the Center for Pop Music. He considers his guest stint at the German show "Top of the Pops," Europe's number one chart show, as his biggest exposure so far. Last March, he performed alongside Faith Cuneta, Paolo Santos, Shamrock, True Faith, Rocksteady, among others in a benefit concert, billed as "Barangayanihan," held at the Cuneta Astrodome.

When asked what's the most Filipino thing about him, he cites: "Everything…I suppose it doesn't matter whether you grew up far away from your motherland, the fact that you have that in your blood or background… it will always stay."

"I'm having fun here. The people, the culture and everything, it's really amazing. I love it here," he adds.

For bookings, please contact Erwin Santiago of Zoom Cinema Entertainment at 0917-8524979 or 632-0710 to 12.