WE WERE SO impressed by most of the contestants in “Kanta Pilipinas”. As the saying goes, “wala kang itulak-kabigin”. There are 24 finalists but one is a boyband of five good-looking guys, 5 Az 1. Two are duets, Daniel Gorospe and JB Landrito from Australia, and brother-sister Carlo and Nicole David, the children of L.A.-based jazz singer Mon David. The soloists are Adrian Tabaldo from California, Allan Gonzales who’s blind, Allison Gonzales who’s a member of the Opera Belles, Chadleen Lacdo-o who was born with a cleft palate, Dea Formilleza from Davao, Esther Martinez from Surigao, Gian Carlo Baldonido from Singapore, Gregory Llamoso who’s a balladeer ala-Sinatra and Buble, Haizel Fernando who’s a single mom, Isaiah Antonio who’s the son of Pin Antonio of Salon de Manila, Jacob Gayonelo from Jakarta, Janeth Gomez who’s only 17, Jennifer Maravilla from New Born Divas of ‘Talentadong Pinoy’, Pia Diamante who impersonates Rufa Mae Quinto, Raz Mendoza who’s an admitted daddy’s girl, Ricky Deloviar whose girlfriend just died of leukemia, Rochelle Merced who’s another single mom, Thara Jordana who’s a commercial model, Timmy Pavino from Seattle, and Zari Bilon whose idols are Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga.
“Kanta Pilipinas” is produced for TV5 by Marvin Agustin, hosted by Rico Blanco and with Lani Misalucha and Ryan Cayabyab as the judges. The title theme song is sung by Lea Salonga with the contestants. It’ll start airing this Saturday at 9 PM. We’ll tell you more about the contestants we interviewed later on.
