Standout contestants go the distance on ‘Talentadong Pinoy’

AYEGEE. Prodigious, expressive singing.

Preparatory to the big final showdown for the crown on “Talentadong Pinoy” tonight, the TV5 talent search held its penultimate showcase for this season’s best contenders last week—and a great time was had by all.

The special showcase was both impressive and inspiring, because it proved how hard some talented Filipinos are willing to work to develop their performing abilities and talents.

That alone is a notably upbeat discovery, because many local “talents” are too lackadaisical or downright lazy to really strive and “suffer” to bring out the best in themselves.

It was inspiring to see that at least some of our talented compatriots are prepared to go the distance and compete with the best of the best for their place in the entertainment sun.

Beyond technical bravura

There were numerous standouts, but we were particularly struck by some performances, like the prodigious singing of musical standout, Ayegee. Her voice just went on and on, but it wasn’t just for sheer vocal display and technical bravura. She felt what she was expressing—and the audience rewarded her with an unusually perfervid ovation.

Another musical standout, 14-year-old Maybelline, is unique because, young though she may be, she specializes in performing traditional kundiman songs. It is fervently hoped that she will in turn inspire other young singers to stop debasing their voices with atonal pop “tunes,” and similarly challenge themselves with the songs of their grandparents, making them fresh and new again.

Last Saturday, however, Maybelline chose a song that limited her vocal display to mere “novelty,” so it was a good thing that she was asked to do some additional trills and riffs, to remind the audience (and herself) what she was really capable of.

Another young talent of mixed racial strains was chosen as the evening’s “wild card” contender, and it was a very good choice, because she may have been relatively raw, but there was real potential there.

It was bracing to see that the show’s mentors had the perspicacity to single her out and give her another chance to show what she could do.

Finally, we were struck by the performance of Monica Regalario, the  “sand artist” who “painted” with her fingers and used the images she created, from mere sand and her fingers’ “brush strokes,” to stir patriotic emotions in viewers, with her montage of swiftly created scenes related to the martyrdom of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Lone exponent

“Talentadong Pinoy” has made other sand artists come into their own, but this year’s lone exponent in the finals is exceptional, because she is able to affect people on an inspirational level.

Other acts were similarly outstanding, but they banked mostly on novelty and flashy execution. Still, they were entertaining, so this weekend’s grand finals (May 5) should be quite a show!