Gretchen Espina was voted as the very first Pinoy Idol in the star-studded finale night of Pinoy Idol last night at the SMX (SM Mall of Asia Convention Complex). Gretchen Espina, 20, from Biliran Province in the Samar-Leyte Region, and daughter of the Governor of Biliran Province, bested 21-year-old Jayann Bautista of Pampanga in the final two to win the first ever Pinoy Idol. The Pinoy Idol finale night started with a three-way battle for the Idol title with Ram Chaves of Cagayan De Oro City eventually placing third.

Jayann Bautista and Gretchen Espina each sang their own interpretation of the Ogie Alcasid composition “To You,” ala American Idol’s memorable final songs like “A Moment Like This,” ( Kelly Clarkson), “I Believe,” (Fantasia), among other greats. Let’s just wait and see if the Gretchen Espina final song “To You” will attain great popularity in the Philippines. In fairness to Gretchen Espina, she i think of the performers on Saturday were the best and it’s true that she was a revelation that night. I actually like her version of “For Your Eyes Only,” she sang it with feelings, not just with hysterics and histrionics. (mind you, lol)

The prizes pala for the first Pinoy Idol were amazingly huge in Philippine standards (which Gretchen Espina should just donate to her province mates, she does not really need some of those) with 1 million in cash from SM Supermall, a recording contract from Sony BMG, a management contract from GMA Artist Center, a brand new car courtesy of Mitsubishi, and a condo unit in New Manila courtesy of Avida Towers.

The Philippines TV Ratings for the entire month of June 2008, yes, Nationwide tabulation (NUTAM), saw Dyesebel taking a slight edge over May 2008’s no. 1, The Singing Bee. Special event presentations, the Pacquiao vs. Diaz fight got a whopping 46% audience share topping the weekend daytime ratings race while Paalam Daboy 1952-2008 (the GMA 7 Coverage), topped the weekday daytime programs. Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus: The Big Night also got a very large ratings/audience share that even its offshoot, Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus: The Big Reunion placed no. 2 in the top weekend primetime programs. The NUTAM is compiled by AGB Nielsen Philippines.

Here is the Nationwide TV Ratings for June 2008:

< !– google_ad_section_start –> GMA-7 has finally picked Raymond Gutierrez to host Pinoy Idol. The Philippine franchise to the hit American Idol (now on its 7th season).

I just wonder how gay Raymond Gutierrez will be as host, although of course, the American Idol host, Ryan Seacrest has his share of gay rumors too. The news that Raymond Gutierrez will host the Philippine edition of American Idol known as Pinoy Idol, has not been officially announced although the show will start in March 2008, and auditions for Pino Idol has already started last January 17 in SM Cagayan de Oro City.

Normally, as in American Idol, the Idol host is in every audition date/venue with the Idol judges.

The Idol host is with the audition hopefuls either patronizing them, cajoling them or having fun with them.

So what’s with GMA in its Pinoy Idol not announcing officially who will its Pinoy Idol host is. Not to mention that the Pinoy Idol judges have not been named too.

I heard that Ogie Alcasid is part of the Pinoy Idol judges. But how on earth can Pinoy Idol start if it has no final Pinoy Idol judges? Who will choose the people who will “go to Manila”! (as in Welcome to Hollywood! in AI) The Pinoy idol production staff? It’s too un-Idol if that will be the case!

Raymond Gutierrez bested Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Paolo Bediones, among others, to the highly coveted position as host of Pinoy Idol. Meanwhile in the really first Idol, Philippines edition, a.k.a. Philippine Idol, Philippine Idol host Ryan Agoncillo is to host the second season of Pinoy Dream Academy, a reality based search for the next singing superstar over at rival ABS-CBN.< !– google_ad_section_end –>

Pinoy Idol requirements:

Must be 16 to 28 years of age, if aged 16 to 17, they must bring a signed parental consent letter containing that they have been permitted by their parents or guardian to join.

They must bring a full body photo and a government issued ID containing proof of their age, e.i. NSO certified Birth Certificate.

Dress to impress and the determination to be the first Pinoy Idol. Think Renaldo Lapuz!lol..