Finding the extraordinary in ordinary

MANILA, Philippines - Finding the extraordinary talent in ordinary people has become the battle cry of TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy for the past five years. The team of Kapatid executive Perci Intalan and host Ryan Agoncillo always surprises televiewers by bringing in contestants armed with unique and, sometimes, breathtaking talents week after week. This is the formula that works for an audience who looks for a different level of performance that many mainstream performers lack.

Tonight at 7, Talentadong Pinoy is at it again in delivering another show-stopping finale dubbed as Talentadong Pinoy Battle Royale. Completing the line-up of finalists are JB “Laserman” dela Cruz; Spyro Marco, Nocturnal, Sor Apao, Haina Udin, Rina Forbes and Larvae. The Cuneta Astrodome will be their playing field. Viewers will wear a quizzical look differentiating a performance of skills from a performance of sheer talent, and vice versa.

All Battle Royale finalists are ready to face their close competition before  claiming the Ultimate Talentado title.

The hip-hop dance group Nocturnal considers JB the person to beat because “Laserman can do many things,” says the team representative. JB’s laser-light tricks are a visual feast that can hold the audience’s attention.

“They all have the unique talents,” shares Spyro, who has shown his mastery with the Chinese yo-yo. “Otherwise, they wouldn’t be here in the grand finals.” Spyro and the rest cannot afford to commit a mistake or an uncalculated move at this point of the competition.

For JB, finalists with Philippine theme in their performances might have the advantage in the viewers’ score cards.

Rina, on the other hand, doesn’t want to watch her fellow finalists’ performances. “My mentality is to focus on what I have to do. If I watch them, I might get intimidated. I focus on myself, thinking of what areas I should improve on and figuring out what else I could do,” she says. With her crystal clear voice, Rina is bent to give a powerful vocal performance. She, however, is not the only one banking on her voice to enthrall viewers. Sor and Haina will put their vocals to good use in winning votes. The former is a power belter from Iligan City, while Haina is a World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) winner from the Middle East.

Haina is amazed by Larvae’s breathtaking routines which remind everyone of Cirque du Soleil. “The audience will get awed,” she says. “What they do seems effortless.” Sor’s answer to the high-energy performances of others is challenging “(myself) to equal their level of performance.” It’s up to Sor to step up her singing tonight and soar high like a songbird.

Larvae, which seems to follow in the footsteps of last season’s winner Astro Boy, is not afraid of anyone. The members are in their tip-top dancing form to win it. They want to showcase their God-given talent.

The Battle Royale finale will see performers giving their all for a great show to remember. Only one of them will join the winners’ circle of Yoyo Tricker, Joseph the Artist and Astroboy.

Judy Ann Santos, John Lapus, director Joey Reyes, Joey de Leon, Aga Muhlach, Edu Manzano, Derek Ramsay and Sharon Cuneta will sit as celebrity talent scouts.

Ryan can attest that it is heartbreaking “to choose only one winner every week,” and what more now that it’s the finals, where all are considered crème dela crème. Even if some contestants have been winning, he says. There comes a point where he loses. As much as they want a tie, there’s only one Ultimate Talentado to win the Talentadong Pinoy Battle Royale.

“It’s not just because of the hardworking staff and the talented host. But it is because of the people (referring to the finalists and contestants) and also those who have come before them,” says Perci of Talentadong Pinoy’s success. “(They are) the reason why the show was created.” Talentadong Pinoy, one of TV5’s signature shows, will take a bow tonight.