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.

New pop sensation Leona Lewis has triumphantly appeared on American Idol April 24. Leona Lewis was discovered by American Idol judge Simon Cowell technically because Simon Cowell created X Factor where Leona Lewis won. X Factor is like the American Idol of the UK, or should i say the UK Idol..

Leona Lewis on American Idol will be on the heels of Mariah Carey mentoring the American Idol 7 contestants on April 16. And of course Leona Lewis singing style is being compared to Mariah Carey. Some say Leona Lewis at her best now is just a watered down Mariah Carey at her best in the 90’s.

Here’s Leona Lewis live on Good Morning America singing her no. 1 single, “Bleeding Love” from the no. 1 album Spirit.

and here’s Leona Lewis in American Idol:

Before her pregnancy, Sheree starred in the straight to DVD release, erotic DVD, “Bosom Bodies” with another Viva Hot Babe, Jennifer Lee.

In that Bosom Bodies DVD, Sheree and Jennifer Lee had a lesbian kiss and both showed their boobs full frontal. Sheree is also in the cast of RoXXXane with Janvier Daily and Jay Aquitania, an indie film now showing at the Indie Sine of Robinsons Galleria.

Giancarlo Magdangal meanwhile has a wholesome matinee idol image, placing second in the first ( and last! ) Philippine Idol. Philippine Idol is actually the first edition of the Idol franchise, like American Idol, but GMA reportedly will not recognize the winners of the first Philippine Idol as it was shown in rival ABC 5. GMA 7 was awarded the Philippine franchise of the Idol by Fremantle and has now renamed it, Pinoy Idol.

Sheree had a longtime relationship with another actor, OneMig Bondoc, while Giancarlo Magdangal with Aiza Marquez.

< !– google_ad_section_start –>Slowly, news are filtering in that several Pinoys are part of American Idol Season 7.  I guess the question is did they make the cut.

Ramiele Malubay

Standing at just a petite 4″11, Ramiele Malubay, Filipino-American 20-year-old waitress from Miramar, Florida, sang Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin. Ramiele Malubay made the cut and is rumored to be in the Top 24 as well. In her audition, her sister also took part but only as a backing vocal and not an actual contestant. With a surname like Malubay, it’s unmistakably Pinoy!

Rumored American Idol 7 top 24:

Guys:

1. Chikeze Eze
2. Colton - a 16 year old guy
3. Danny Noriega
4. David Archuleta
5.David Cook
6. David Hernandez
7. Garrett Haley
8. Jason Castro
9. Jason Yeager
10. Luke Menard
11. Michael Lee Johns
12. Robbie Carrico

Girls:

1. Alania Whitaker
2. Alex Lushington
3. Amanda Overmyer
4. Amy Davis
5. Brooke White
6. Carly Smithson
7. Kady Malloy
8. Kristie Lee Cook
9. Ramiele Malubay
10. Syesha Mercado

Neyshia Go

Neyshia Go, 17, from Antioch, California, auditioned in San Diego and made the Top 50, but since rumors above of who made the cut are “verified” by paparazzi photos. Neyshia Go did not make the Top 24.

Rosie/Rosemarie

Rosie or Rosemarie something is also Filipina. Unfortunately, Rosie did not make the Top 50 or Top 24 together with Neyshia Go. Although Neyshia Go’s fate is not yet 100% sure, who knows she could be in the “unknowns” who have made it and has not yet been revealed to paparazzos.

In the also-runs, the girl who sang a Mariah Carey song is definitely Filipina too. She sucked. Off she go.

Renaldo Lapuz

The now famous Renaldo Lapuz or Reynaldo Lapuz, who i think is one of the most hilarious auditions in American Idol history. Renaldo Lapuz has spawned a phenomenal buzz around the world. Renaldo Lapuz became an overnight celebrity.

And as Simon Cowell has predicted, Renaldo’s original composition, We’re Brothers Forever is now a worldwide success courtesy of Youtube. We’re Brothers Forever is even a ringtone now. Download We’re Brothers Forever ringtone here.< !– google_ad_section_end –>

< !– 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..