RP-style ‘Hell Week’
MANILA, Philippines - It was drama as usual on GMA 7’s “Pinoy Idol,” which held a series of nerve-wracking eliminations this week. On “American Idol,” this round (usually held in Hollywood) is called “Hell Week.”
Judge Ogie Alcasid explains: “It was grueling for both the contestants and the judges.” It wasn’t uncommon for tapings, held at Cinema 6 of SM North Edsa, to begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 a.m. for the aspirants, says program manager Hazel Abonita. For the production staff, wrap-up was 4 a.m. The judges usually finished their job at 2:30 am.
“We spent a lot of time deliberating,” says judge Wyngard Tracy. “It was the toughest part because a lot of heads rolled,” Ogie agrees. The judges argued constantly, relentlessly, he says. “We had to hear each other out.”
“It was quite an experience,” adds director Louie Ignacio, who reminded the contestants that this round was their “time to shine.”
From the original 175, the lineup was narrowed down to 90 on the first day, Wednesday. From 90, 45 were picked on Thursday. Friday, the number was further whittled down to 30. Yesterday, the final 24—12 boys, 12 girls—were to be selected during a taping held at the GMA 7 studio.
Host Raymond Gutierrez says the Manila round can be summed up, thus: “Three Ps—pagod (exhaustion), puyat (sleeplessness) and pressure.” Ogie’s girlfriend, singer Regine Velasquez, kept sending food she had cooked herself, says Direk Louie.
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Judge Ogie Alcasid explains: “It was grueling for both the contestants and the judges.” It wasn’t uncommon for tapings, held at Cinema 6 of SM North Edsa, to begin at 10 a.m. and end at 2 a.m. for the aspirants, says program manager Hazel Abonita. For the production staff, wrap-up was 4 a.m. The judges usually finished their job at 2:30 am.
“We spent a lot of time deliberating,” says judge Wyngard Tracy. “It was the toughest part because a lot of heads rolled,” Ogie agrees. The judges argued constantly, relentlessly, he says. “We had to hear each other out.”
“It was quite an experience,” adds director Louie Ignacio, who reminded the contestants that this round was their “time to shine.”
From the original 175, the lineup was narrowed down to 90 on the first day, Wednesday. From 90, 45 were picked on Thursday. Friday, the number was further whittled down to 30. Yesterday, the final 24—12 boys, 12 girls—were to be selected during a taping held at the GMA 7 studio.
Host Raymond Gutierrez says the Manila round can be summed up, thus: “Three Ps—pagod (exhaustion), puyat (sleeplessness) and pressure.” Ogie’s girlfriend, singer Regine Velasquez, kept sending food she had cooked herself, says Direk Louie.
continue...
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