GMA-7’s “THE CLASH” is on its last month this September. Hosted by Regine Velasquez, with Ai Ai de las Alas, Lani Misalucha and Christian Bautista as judges-mentors, they presented their 12 finalists to the press last Thursday night. Three talented Cebuanas made it to the top 12.
First is the 16-year old biritera, Golden Cañedo, who’s a student of the University of the Visayas. Then there’s the Sinulog Idol singing contest first runner-up, Danielle Ozaraga. The most amazing is the labandera from Talisay, Esterlina Olmedo, who just turned 50 on August 26, making her the oldest contestant.
The other finalists or clashers are Anthony Rosaldo from Valenzuela, Mirriam Manalo from Pampanga, Melbelline Caluag from Bulacan, Garrett Bolden from Olongapo, Kyryll Ugdiman from Iloilo, Lyra Micolob from Davao, Jong Madaliday from North Cotobato, Josh Adornado from Cagayan de Oro, and Mika Gorospe from San Francisco, California, USA who auditioned online.
Among the 12, only Jong didn’t make it to the press presentation as he has bulutong or chickenpox. The others all sang for the press and the ones who really impressed us are Mirriam from Pampanga who sang “Natural Woman” by the late Aretha Franklin with an impressive vocal range and power, Anthony from Valenzuela who did a very different version of Wency Cornejo’s “Next in Line”, Mommy Esterlina who hit all the high notes in “Sayang na Sayang Talaga” by Aegis, Garrett of Olongapo who did a very slow and soulful version of “Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin”, and Mika from California who did a slow buildup of “Basta Maghintay Ka Lang” that culminates into an explosive finale.
The grand winner will get P4 million worth of prizes, including P1 million cash, a brand new car, a Bria house and lot, and a management contract with GMA Network. “The Clash” is aired every Saturday after “Pepito Manaloto” and every Sunday after “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko”. The next few weekends will be full of surprises. As Tony and Mirriam tell us: “Lagi nilang binabago ang rules at kami mismo, hindi namin alam kung twists ang gagawin nila for the show kaya kami ang unang nagugulat.”