Method to the ‘madness’

Judge Aga Muhlach

Last Nov. 26, we tuned in to “Pinoy Boyband Superstar” to see how it was coming along after we wrote about its 12 finalists and predicted, way ahead of the “final-finals,” that the winners would be Joao, Tristan, Tony, Henz and Ford.

Whatever had possessed us to make that hopefully educated guess so early in the finals? We simply vetted the finalists on point of the looks, projection and performance factors needed to make a successful boy band, and came up with our final mix.

Well, there must have been method to our rashness or “madness” because by Nov. 26, the tilt was down to only nine finalists—and four out of our five bets were still “alive” and in contention.

Only Henz had been found wanting—but, we believe that he can still make it as a solo performer, because his boyish good looks and appeal should continue to serve him in good stead—if his handlers know what they’re doing.

As for Joao, Tony, Ford and Tristan, they’re “safe” for one more week, so we continue to hope that they will survive all the way up to the final-finals.

Of course, it’s entirely possible that, the very next week, many or even all of them will belatedly be found wanting, so we’ll have to eat many slices of humble pie.

But, while our lucky and plucky streak lasts, we’ll be keeping our fingers and toes crossed for them, because we believe that the mix of personalities they offer is what a new boyband is looking for to keep viewers and listeners interested—for the long term.

Having said which, we still feel sad that the “Pinoy Boyband” tilt continues to focus mostly on boy-next-door looks and porma, rather than on performing talent, versatility and contrast.

The show itself debunks such observations, but the evidence is there for all to see and hear in the remaining finalists’ generally thin and limited singing, and skittish and predictable way of “selling” a song number.

However, it’s too late to do much about their basic lack of exceptional musicality, so the tilt will just have to focus on savvy song choice and more stringent performance standards for the surviving finalists, to make them pass muster in terms of professionalism and versatility.

Judge Yeng Constantino

Quite a number of them still look raw, nervous and insecure in performance, so better and stricter mentors should be immediately brought in, to “force” the finalists to shape up—while there’s still time for their redoubled efforts to make a difference.

The judges should also desist from making “enabling” excuses for the contestants, like saying, “Even if you don’t sing all that well, it’s OK, because you make up for it with your looks and appealing performance.”

This is no way to come up with a professional group that can do well under all sorts of trying performance situations.

“No excuses” should be the norm, as it is for all professional performers, and the judges should be the first to insist on it.

If they think and behave like giddy fans, how could the tyro talents, be compelled to measure up—and deliver?