Biliran lass named ‘Pinoy Idol’

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE) Gretchen Espina, a 20-year-old Biliran native, bested two other hopefuls and was declared winner of GMA-7 and Fremantle Media’s “Pinoy Idol” Sunday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Espina, who gave impressive renditions of “For Your Eyes Only,” “Stand Up for Love” and “Ngayon” during the Final Performance Night Saturday, will receive P1 million, a condominium unit, a brand new car (Mitsubishi Lancer LXi 2008 series), a P1-million recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines, and a television contract with GMA 7 worth P500,000.

Her closest competitor was Jayann Bautista, 24, a Pampanga native and a former Viva recording artist. Ram Chaves, 25, of Cagayan de Oro, placed third.

"Show biz can be really nasty. I'm ready for it. It's not any different from politics," said Espina, daughter of Biliran governor Rogelio J. Espina.

Espina, a former member of the UP Singing Ambassadors, said she would share her winnings with her co-finalists. "I will share a portion of my winnings to the two other finalists. Napagkasunduan na namin ito," Espina on Sunday told the Inquirer shortly after the Final Results Show at the SMX Convention Center of the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Bautista and Chaves will receive P100,000 from Espina.

continue...

Comments