Why Sarah became emotional when Jason won

MANILA – The second season of “The Voice of the Philippines” saw a very emotional Sarah Geronimo as she coached members of Team Sarah throughout its run.

It was no different for the singer-actress on Sunday when her team's bet, Jason Dy, was declared the winner of the ABS-CBN talent search.

Immediately after the announcement, Geronimo got down on her knees with her palms on her face. Her tears did not stop flowing when she hugged and congratulated Dy.

Geronimo was also seen crying as she watched Dy sing “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” for his final performance.

It wasn't just the proverbial tears of joy for Geronimo, who also coached "The Voice Kids" winner Lyca Gairanod last year.

In an interview with ABS-CBNnews.com after the finale of “The Voice,” Geronimo explained she had a flashback of her own personal experience while watching Dy perform after winning “The Voice.”

Just like Dy, Geronimo also won a talent competition, “Star for a Night, which launched her to fame, also on March 1.

“Pareho kaming March 1 nanalo,” she said. “Grabe ito, unexpected. Ang ine-expect ko 'yung worst na eh. Ganun kasi ako eh. Hindi ako nag-e-expect ng kahit ano. Kaya sobrang gulat na gulat ako. Nanghina ako kanina.”

Geronimo said she was very fortunate to have coached Dy, who she described as a “world-class” talent.

“Si Jason has his own voice na hindi mo maririnig sa iba. World-class eh. Kapag pinakinggan mo, pwede mong isabay kay Sam Smith, kay Beyonce. Talagang world-class talent,” she said.

Being blessed with a good singing voice, Geronimo said the only constant advice which she gives Dy is to always sing from the heart.

“Paulit-ulit lang naman [ang sinasabi ko sa kanya], na kumanta siya lagi galing sa puso. Hindi talaga 'yan sa high notes and sa lakas ng boses. Sabi ko nga, napakahirap humanap ng artists na hindi kinakailangang bumirit para lang ma-touch ang puso mo kapag kumakanta sila,” she said, reiterating her final pitch to the viewers.

Meanwhile, Geronimo also congratulated the other “The Voice” finalists – Leah Patricio, Rence Rampanot and Alisah Bonaobra -- saying being in the Top 4 already makes them a winner.

On Sunday, Dy won a P2 million in cash, a house and lot, a new car, a music instrument package, a business package, an Asian tour package for two and a recording and managing contract with MCA Music.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why Gab Valenciano quit 'America's Got Talent'

MANILA – Gab Valenciano, the son of veteran performer Gary Valenciano, has returned to the Philippines after he backed out of the hit reality talent search "America's Got Talent."

Speaking to ABS-CBN News’ Ginger Conejero last Friday, Valenciano said he quit the show because more “permanent opportunities” came his way, contrary to rumors that he supposedly got eliminated.

“Whenever people ask me, ‘Did you actually make it?’ I actually did pero 'yun nga, when we got deeper into it, me, my mom and my dad, we all talked about it and we all realized na parang in show business, especially in reality TV, parang you’re not reassured na you will make it unlike getting into a business where ito talaga 'yung ginawa ko. I love making music, I love making videos. I realized I want to do this for a living,” he said.

Valenciano said he had to choose between enjoying "a 30-second fame" or pursuing his passion.

“What I went there for is music production and video production. I had to choose if I wanted my 30 seconds of fame or if I wanted something that would last my whole career,” he said.

Elaborating further, the dancer said: “I am actually putting up my own media company which is going to be based in the States and basically it’s going to be all video and music content.”

Valenciano said he and his friends will be working together in this new venture.

“We are going to be a team of five people that are going to be shooting, recording – all of these things. It’s something na ito talaga yung pinuntahan ko sa States. I studied for it. I graduated already. So I’m really excited for that” he said.

According to the young Valenciano, he does not regret choosing this over “America’s Got Talent” because he knows this will be more beneficial to him in the long run.

“In the beginning parang I felt a little ‘Is this really what I want to do?’ Parang masaya if I do it. At the end of the day, I have to think long term. I went to the States for this reason. I’m not going to get distracted for something else. It would have been a great opportunity to be seen and exposed pero I have to think of my entire career in the US,” he said.

Meanwhile, Velanciano said another reason he returned to the Philippines is because he will join his father for the repeat of his concert "Arise."

“He has a repeat of ‘Arise’ so I’m back for that. Pero sabi ko maybe I’ll go back a little earlier kasi by the time I get back to the US, I’ll be working non-stop so might as well take advantage of the moment,” he said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Fox cancels 'X Factor' as Simon Cowell returns to UK version

LOS ANGELES - U.S. television singing contest "The X Factor," led by judge and show creator Simon Cowell, was canceled on Friday after three seasons, network Fox said on Friday.

"The X Factor," which was unable to replicate the ratings success of fellow Fox singing contest "American Idol," was only able to muster 6.2 million viewers for its season three finale last December, about half of its first season finale audience.

Cowell, 54, whose acerbic on-screen personality helped transform "American Idol" into one of the top shows on U.S. television, will also return to the UK version of the show in an effort to help declining ratings there.

"I've had a fantastic time over the last 12 years, both on 'The X Factor' and 'American Idol,' Cowell said in a statement. "And apart from being lucky enough to find some amazing talent on the shows, I have always had an incredible welcome from the American public (most of the time!)"

"The X Factor" was seen as a way for Cowell to put his own stamp on U.S. reality television as it was a show he created and produced, and helped lead it to popularity in Britain.

The U.S. version of the show struggled to find the right mix on the judging panel, running through nine different personalities in its three seasons on the air.

In 2012, Fox spent a reported $15 million to hire pop singer Britney Spears as a judge on the show in a bid to boost ratings, but she was unable to turn her star power into larger audiences for Fox.

Last year, viewership fill to about 6 million per episode from 9 million in 2012. Its main rival, Comcast Corp-owned NBC's "The Voice" drew about 12 million viewers per episode.

Cowell, a British media and music mogul best known for the biting criticism of contestants that helped draw viewers to "American Idol," will be without a show on U.S. television for the first time since "Idol" began in 2002.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoy 'Gangnam' dancer a finalist at Belgium's Got Talent

MANILA – Remember the cute little boy who charmed the judges and audience in a talent search in Belgium? Well, he made it, at least to the finals.

Tristan Pangilinan, the boy who danced to Korean sensation's Psy's Gangnam Style, was a finalist at Belgium's Got Talent last year.

Although the five-year old was the only finalist who garnered the highest text votes, the title went to another contestant.

"Disappointed kami na si Tristan ay hindi nanalo sa Belgium Got Talent pero proud pa rin kaming mga Pilipino na siya ay nakapasok sa finals," said the boy's supporter Merchy Nocal Vancauteren.

Nevertheless, he and his family are still happy with what he had achieved on the show. They are likewise thankful to all those who supported the boy during the show.

The boy said he will use his talent to the Philippines.

"Gusto kong tumulong sa Pilipinas," he said.

In fact, before the talent show's finals, Pangilinan and another talented Pinay named Maria, who is among the semi-finalists of The Voice Belgium, raised more than 25,000 euros or half a million pesos, during a benefit gig for victims of super typhoon Yolanda. Report from Raquel Bernal-Crisostomo, ABS-CBN Europe News Bureau

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Is Pinay X-Factor winner the new Susan Boyle?

JERUSALEM - A Filipina caregiver, once part of a faceless crowd of foreign workers who tend to Israel's infirm and elderly, has won one of the country's most popular TV singing contests.

Competing in Israel's version of the X-Factor, Rose Fostanes, 47, swept the judges off their feet with a winning rendition of the Frank Sinatra standard, "My Way", in Tuesday's final.

Fostanes, who came to Israel four years ago, has been working for about 20 years across the Middle East, and currently cares for an ailing woman in Tel Aviv.

"I'm speechless, I cannot say anything now. I can't believe that (this has) happened to me," Fostanes said in English after her victory.

In the run-up to the final, Fostanes said she hoped her popularity on the show would shine a spotlight on Israel's low-paid foreign workers, who include about 20,000 Filipinos.

She has been compared to the Scottish singer Susan Boyle, 52, who shot to fame in 2009 after appearing on the TV show "Britain's Got Talent" and performing a powerful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" from the musical "Les Miserables".

For many Israelis, the word "Filipino" has become synonymous with caregiver, and Fostanes' appearance and success on X-Factor could help break the stereotype.

"I wanted Rose to win. She's amazing, I really want her life to change, she's a great singer," said Shiri Maimon, an Israeli singer who was one of the judges.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Netizens laud Pinay caregiver's 'X Factor' win

MANILA – Filipina caregiver Rose Fostanes ended her stint on “X Factor Israel” with flying colors Wednesday as her supporters’ efforts to make sure she would get the most number of online and text votes paid off.

Immediately after Fostanes’ triumph in the TV show, Filipino netizens stormed social networking sites to express how happy they are for the 47-year old singer.

Most of Fostanes’ supporters said they are proud that another Filipino, who was just once part of a faceless crowd of foreign workers who clean homes and tend to Israel's sick and elderly, has brought pride to the Philippines anew.

Below are some posts on Twitter and Facebook congratulating Fostanes:

Cesar Viray Ramirez: Cool....congrats....proud to be global pinoy...congrats, Osang

Alvin Valenzuela: Congrats kabayan mabuhay ka! From.NYC...proud to be a pilipino!

Sheng Guillermo: Thank u Israel yan ang walang daya na judging..proud to be pinoy once again..

Mylene Ungos Webb: wow..gling nmn iba tlga ang pinoy,satlento d best tlga congrats. ms. rose we are proud of you.

Sharon Tiglao: Congratulations Ms. Rose.... we knew you could make it to the top and you deserve it.

Mharvhin Peque Sandagan Durana: Congrats po dakila ka po sa ating bansang pilipinas MABUHAY...

Richard Ravena: Ha! good job ate Osang! ikaw na! Congratulations! eversince day one of this competition, you never cease to amaze me! it was awesome to see you sing your song and how you represent the filipino OFW community! And thank you also to Shiri for providing all the help ate osang needs to go through the competition! Congratz ulit ATE OSANG!

Joyce Martinez: congratz po ky Ms Rose..and thank u so much din po sa mga admin ng page na walang sawang nghahatid ng update bout ky Ms Rose..THANKS PO.. From: Suadi Riyadh

Loraine Klein Aquino: tagumpai ang filipino.... congrats madam osang .. we are proud ...
During the competition, a Facebook page solely dedicated to campaign for Fostanes was created to urge Filipinos around the world to vote for her.

Following Fostanes’ win, the administrators of her Facebook fan page posted a message thanking everyone who took time to vote for the Pinay caregiver.

“Ito lang po ang masasabi ko nho MARAMING MARAMING THANK YOU PO SA LAHAT NG SUMUPORTA AT SUMUNOD SA MGA INSTRUCTIONS NAMIN SA PAGBOTO, NAGAWA nating itawid si idol… SALAMAT PO SA SAMA SAMANG EFFORT NATIN SA PAGBOTO, SALAMAT SA CO ADMINS KO NA TUMUTULONG SAKEN SA PAG A UPDATE,” the post said.

“Sa lahat ng filipino san mang sulok ng mundo, sa mga nag pray at sa bumuto lalong lalo na sa mga pinoy dito sa israel na kanya kanyang kampanya din, sa ibat ibang org at group na tlgang suporta to the max, AS IN SUPER THANX AND SYEMPRE NHO SUPER THANX KAY IDOL OSANG DAHIL BINIGYAN NYA NG KARANGALAN ANG ATING BANSA GANDANG OPENING NG TAON, ISANG HUGE ACHIEVEMENT mabuhay KA IDOL deserve na deserve mo manalo... umpisa na ng lalo mo pang yayabong na career,” the post added.

During the live finale show, Fostanes sang the Frank Sinatra classic "My Way" with an orchestra.

Placing second was a young female singer, Eden Ben Zaken, who was mentored by rock singer, Rami Fortis.

There are about 20,000 Filipinos working legally in Israel, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics, with most working as cleaners and caretakers for the elderly and disabled.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinay bet advances to X Factor Israel finals

MANILA - The woman who earlier admitted having little confidence about herself and her talent could become the X Factor Israel's first season winner.

The show is now just down to four contestants, including caregiver Rose Fostanes.

"Salamat sa mga nag vote sa inyo kanina. Because of you nakapasok po tayo sa grand finals, maraming salamat sa suporta nyo," Fostanes wrote on her Facebook account.

During the live show on Tuesday, Fostanes belted out Kelly Clarkson's song "Because of You".




In an interview on The Times of Israel, Fostanes said she misses her family and her girlfriend who are in the Philippines.

Fostanes said since joining the show, people have started to notice her.

"Because before, nobody recognized me. Nobody knew me. but now, I think everybody in Israel knows my name," she said on the same interview.

Fostanes has been an OFW for two decades in the Middle East. She is currently on her sixth year as a caregiver in Israel.

Also on Tuesday, TV Patrol interviewed Fostanes' family in Taguig.




Fostanes younger sister, Nancy, is also a singer.

Nancy said it was Rose's dream to become a singer.

She added that Rose was only 15-years old when she took on the responsibility of raising them when their father left them.

"Yan, pag nananalo yan noon, yan ang bumibili ng gamit namin sa school," Nancy said.

Her other sister, Gina Camposano, said Rose has helped her a lot.

"Malaki ang naitulong talaga ng kapatid ko, lalung-lalo sa akin. Kaya yung mga anak ko, kahit papaano, ginagapang namin mag-aral kasi nanay ko namatay yun wala kami talagang pambili ng gamot eh," Camposano said.

Meanwhile, a Facebook fanpage was created in support of Fostanes called Osang/Rose Xfactor Israel, details how Filipinos outside of Israel could help the Pinay bet win by voting online.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinay caregiver advances in 'X Factor Israel' - report

MANILA - And she did it again. Caregiver Rose Fostanes once again received a standing ovation, not from the audience, but from fellow contestants of the reality television contest "X-Factor Israel".

Posts on social media said that the Tel-Aviv-based Fostanes made it to the second round of the reality show.

Before performing in front of the four judges during bootcamp, Fostanes bared her feelings and apprehensions toward other contestants.

"I feel that everybody is looking at me like I am an alien. I'm afraid that maybe nobody will talk to me because the Israeli see Filipinos working here in houses," she said.

"Communication with the people is a big challenge for me in the boot camp," she said.

In a conversation she had with a fellow contestant who sat beside her on a bench during the taped interview, she said that she is not that confident about herself.

"Maybe this is why I am afraid. When they say 'No, you sing very good' It's like I don't believe them. I don't know," she said.

For her, joining the X-Factor is not only about chasing her dream. But it is also about being able to provide a better future for her family in the Philippines.

"This is not a game. I am competing not only for myself, for my family because I want to help them. They are very poor in the Philippines," she said.

And when she described how she was feeling during the boot camp, Fostanes said, "My heart is 'tug,tog'. Because if you get one mistake, maybe your journey in X Factor will be gone and maybe your dream to be something else will all be finished."

Fostanes sang the Lady Gaga song "You and I' that not only captured the attention of the judges and fellow contestants, but their respect as well.

"You have to move. You have to fight. You have to be the best. Maybe it's not too late for me to have a good life," the 46-year-old said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Sarah, Apl in all-out clash over 'Voice PH' 4-chair turner Klarisse

Pop star claims 'destiny' in recruiting former rival

MANILA -- In a show-stopping clash on "The Voice of the Philippines" in its episode aired Saturday, coaches Sarah Geronimo and Allan "apl.de.ap" Pineda made desperate pleas to convince four-chair turner Klarisse de Guzman to join their respective teams.

Impressing all four coaches with her rendition of the OPM hit "Tulak ng Bibig, Kabig ng Dibdib," the 21-year-old de Guzman came face-to-face with her former rival on a singing contest.





Geronimo and de Guzman were competitors in the 2002 TV program "Star for a Night," which the Kapamilya star won to claim the title "Pop Star Princess."

A visibly shocked Geronimo rushed to the stage to hug de Guzman, whom she had known as "Klang," when the auditionee related her history with the coach.

Claiming advantage of her connection with the artist, Geronimo brought up their being former co-finalists in attempting to recruit de Guzman.

Interrupting Geronimo, coach Bamboo Manalac called out the pop star for "cheating," to which the latter quipped, "Let me finish first!"

Conceding she isn't the best fit as coach for de Guzman, Lea Salonga drew laughs when she sat by the stage facing her fellow coaches, saying she would have more fun watching them fight over the artist.

'Connections'
Blocking interruptions from her fellow coaches, Geronimo stood up to make her case, telling de Guzman, "Klarisse, I think it's destiny. Nauna ako dito para dalhin ka naman sa panahon mo, at ito ang panahon mo. Hayaan mo 'kong tulungan kita!"

The pop star then brought up her "connections" as she dialed a number on her phone, with veteran singer Martin Nievera answering at the other end.

A member of the Grammy-winning group The Black Eyed Peas, Pineda pulled out the same card as he tried reaching his close friend, American music producer William "will.i.am" Adams.





What followed was a moment of humiliation for Pineda, who was met with a voice mail prompt on the line, as Nievera sang praises for Geronimo's world-class talent.

Despite what appeared to be hard-fought battle among the coaches, de Guzman did not take time in deciding who to pick as her mentor.

"Pipiliin ko 'tong coach na 'to kasi alam kong matutulungan niya talaga ako, and gusto ko ulit siya makasama," de Guzman said, prompting an ecstatic response from Geronimo.

Worldwide trending

As in previous weeks, the auditions seen during Saturday's episode of "The Voice of the Philippines" dominated conversations on micro-blogging site Twitter. The official hashtag of the program, "#VoicePH," even claimed the second spot in the worldwide trending topics at its peak.


source: www.abs-cbnnews.com