“MASKED SINGER PILIPINAS” is a reality singing competition on TV5 in 2020, adapted from the “Masked Singer” USA franchise and features celebrities who sing while wearing head-to-toe costumes and face masks that conceal their real identities.
Billy Crawford hosted the show with several celebrity panelists who are given various clues regarding the identities of the contestants.
At the end of each show, the panelist judges and the audience vote for their favorite singer and the least popular is eliminated, taking off their mask to reveal their identity.
The first season was won by Daryl Ong as "2-2-B", with Katrina Velarde as "Diwata" and Carlyn Ocampo as "Pusa-way" as first and second runners-up.
Now, the second season will start on March 19 and will be shown every Saturday at 6 PM, with Billy still the hosts and Aga Muhlach, Matteo Guidicelli, Cristine Reyes and Kim Molina as the panellist judge-detectives, plus Bayani Agbayani.
Bayani is the newest judge-detective as he’s not part of Season 1. So how is it to be part of the show now?
“Tuwang-tuwa akong mapasama sa show kasi puro magagaling silang artista na kasama ko rito,” he says.
“Pero medyo ninenerbiyos ako na baka ako ang maging dahilan kung anuman ang maging rating nito, kasi yung first season, sobrang taas ng rating nun, e. Kaya Lord, sana po maging mataas din ang rating nitong Season 2 at mahigitan pa yung Season 1.
"Lahat sila, kilala ko na, lalo si Aga na nakasama ko noon sa sitcom and si Billy naman, kasama ko ngayon sa ‘Lunch Out Loud’, so hindi ako nahirapang pumasok sa bonding nila.”
How would they compare season 2 to season 1 and to the original “Masked Singer USA”?
“Ang 12 talents namin noon, sobrang huhusay sa season 1, so dinagdagan natin dito sa season 2 with 16 contestants na puedeng sumabay kahit pa sa contestants ng ‘Masked Singer USA’”, says host BIlly.
“They’re all world class quality. At kami ng judges, we have great camaraderie, we are all so comfortable with each other. Parang hindi kami mga nagtatrabaho rito kasi lahat, magaling sumalo, magaling gumabay. I’m really proud to be part of this group as we really enjoy working together.”
Cristine Reyes says she’s proud to still be included in Season 2.
“Kasi I truly enjoy watching the contestants who perform na para silang nagko-concert. And all of us judges and hosts, along with the staff and crew, we are all well bonded. Masaya kami sa isa’t isa. Family na kami.”
So she’s really turning her back on sexy roles and would rather be a judge in shows like “Masked Singer Pilipinas”?
“As an actress, I am not closing my doors on anything. Depende sa project, kung maganda ba talaga, then I will do it.
"But as of now, I’m so excited with ‘Masked Singer’ kasi ang saya-saya ng show at sana mapanood nyo.”
