CEBU, Philippines — The competition has gotten tougher as Sinulog Idol Season 11 stretches the limits of its finalists.
Only nine moved on for Tuesday’s Rock Night as Chris Ponce Olano from Liloan bade farewell during Bisaya Night last Monday wherein he sang “Damgo” composed by VisPop’s John Cadelina.
Jehramae Trangia, an ABS-CBN Idol City Top 20 finalist, emerged as Star of the Night last Monday with her song “Ayaw Pagsaad” popularized by Cebuana singer Gerlyn Ville Abano.
“Nindot kaayo sa feeling nga makagunit sa award kay of all the contestants that night kay napilian gyud ko and it feels so great. Wala ko mag-expect kay I know nga mga maayo ang akong mga kalaban pero kahibalo sab ko nga akong gibuhat ang akong best para makahatag og nindot nga performance,” the 16-year-old Talisaynon said.
During Rock Night, Trangia was part of the Bottom 5 after singing Paramore’s “Ignorance.”
“I am really weak when it comes to rock but I did my best to show a good performance. Still blessed kay gihatagan ko og chance nga makapadayon,” she said.
Also in the Bottom Five were Jedu Ligan, Maverick Nineza, Angelito Alia and Stephanie Dugaduga. Alia and Dugaduga were the most recent to be eliminated.
According to the judges, Alia’s version of the The Cranberries’ “Zombie” was out of tune, while Dugaduga’s “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga was too exaggerated.
Judge and mentor Apple Abarquez said that Dugaduga was not focused in singing. “Overwhelmed na kaayo and naa nay parts nga dili na siya singing contest,” she said.
Alia, for his part, did not shed a tear after his fate was revealed.
“I felt thankful kay para nako this is not the end of my journey. In fact, it’s just the beginning. Wala ko mihilak kay kahibalo man ko daan nga it’s not my night. One thing I learned during my Sinulog Idol journey is to be strong no matter what,” he said.
But 18-year-old Dugaduga of Talisay City wasn’t able to rein in her emotions.
“Pressured gyud kaayo ko. Ako baya gihatag akong best in every performance. Ang tinuod gyud nganong pirti nakong hilak kay hadlok kaayo ko nga makasab-an sa akong parents kay nag-expect sila nga masulod ko sa finals,” the sister of last year’s first runner-up said.
She said she can accept not making it to the Top 6, but that the people around her might not take it well.
“Okay lang nako kay bisan man og wala nako makuha ang expectations sa akong parents ug sa nag-support nako, para nako dako na kaayo ni nga butang nako maapil sa Sinulog Idol,” added Dugaduga, who also auditioned last year but did not make the cut.
Marichar Labado, a 22-year-old freelance vocalist, was hailed as Star of the Night for the Rock round. She admitted feeling down and discouraged during the first three nights of competition.
“Bisan og safe ko kay naka-feel ko nga dili pa gyud maayo akong performance kay base sa mga comments sa mga judges kay nakuwangan pa gyud sila,” Labado said.
During Night 4, she felt relieved after being part of the Top 3 after performing “Nakasabot Nako” originally sang by “The Clash” Season 1 champion Golden Cañedo.
Aside from prayers, she said she’s drawing strength from her husband and two-year old son.
Her rendition of AC/DC’s “Highway To Hell” secured her a spot for last night’s Jam category.
Still in the running as of this writing are Chreystle Gealogo who was consistently part of the Top 3 for five nights; teacher Ranni Cane of Danao City; 18-year-old University of Cebu-METC student Thea Monterde; 19-year old University of Cebu student Maverick Nineza; 22-year-old University of Carlos graduate Jedu Ligan; plus Labado and Trangia.
The Sinulog Season 11 champion will be determined in tonight’s finals at the Fuente Osmeña Circle.