A 12-year-old boy who can belt out a Pussycat Doll tune. A 62-year-old man who can ‘charm’ a snake with his ati-atihan dance. A group of sexagenarian women dancing to Beyoncé’s Single Ladies. A couple in figure-skating costumes who gives new meaning to the term "dirty dancing." A group of teenagers hiphop-dancing to Taylor Swift’s Love Story. Plus Jabbawockeez wannabes. Lots and lots of them.
All of the above are just a few of the many memorable act or acts showcasing their talents on Pilipinas Got Talent, which premiered last Feb. 20 over at ABS-CBN. Clearly, Pilipinas Got Talent is not your typical talent competition show.
Pilipinas Got Talent is from the international franchise which catapulted to fame many of today’s world-class acts. Both international singing sensations Paul Potts and Susan Boyle were products of the UK version of the franchise, Britain’s Got Talent (however, Susan Boyle did not emerge as a winner but rather a runner-up). Coincidentally, one of the judges of Britain’s Got Talent is Simon Cowell, who is more famous in the US for his turn as the acerbic judge in the hit TV show, American Idol.
America’s Got Talent and Britain’s Got Talent came on the heels of American Idol, a show so successful it’s running on its ninth season, with many of its talented winners hitmakers in today’s music charts all over.
The Philippines is no stranger to talent shows, but Pilipinas Got Talent is unique because it features the best and the finest Pinoy talents all over the country, covering all age groups and apparently, well, all talents—including the ones which would fit right at home in Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
Auditions started at the later part of last year and ended second week of February in various cities in the country where thousands of hopefuls flocked to the audition venues to have a shot at being the first winner of the talent competition show. Auditions were held on a big stage as if on a variety show, which was definitely welcomed by the aspirants. Every one of those who auditioned genuinely seemed to be delighted to be given a chance to show what they can do, whether they get a "Yes" or "No" to go through the next round.
Hosted by Billy Crawford and Luis Manzano, the show’s added bonus comes thrice over with its three judges: TV host-actress Kris Aquino, star-maker Freddie Garcia and Queen of Comedy Ai-Ai delas Alas. Each of the judges can stop a performance by pressing a buzzer which displays a red "X" seen onstage or, if they like a performance, allow them to continue until they finish their performance.
Each of the judges’ distinct way of giving their critique is a delight to television viewers. Ai-Ai definitely proves she has the gift of gab when she criticized a 60-something man who made strange "kissy-face" gestures while crooning a love song. "Bakit mo kailangan gawin ‘yun [imitating the man’s facial gesture]? May masakit ba sa ‘yo?," she remarked, getting a big laugh from the audience. On the other hand, Kris is like Paula Abdul, showing the same enthusiasm for anyone who comes up onstage to display their talent but sensible in giving her critiques. Freddie in turn is the stricter among the three, as in one of the early episodes where a man failed miserably in making musical sounds by literally tapping on various parts of his body. "Hindi ko alam kung saan mo papakinabangan ‘yan talent na ‘yan," he commented.
All in all, Pilipinas Got Talent is a welcome treat to TV viewers who have grown tired of the usual fare of talent competition shows where the contestants try to one-up each other, taking for granted having fun along the way.
( Published February 26 in Asian Journal RedCarpet p. 2 )
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