Showbiz's finest to mentor 'Dreamers'

The long wait is finally over. ABS-CBN's Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA), the Kapamilya network's biggest reality cum talent search, opens its doors to everyone on its grand launch, which will be held in Cebu Capitol Grounds this Saturday, August 26, 9:30pm and aired live on Channel 2.

This mega-exciting musical kick-off party will finally reveal who among the 38 hopefuls would make it to the final list of 16 scholars who will live, train and dream together inside the Pinoy Dream Academy and have a shot at becoming the country's next singing superstar.

These scholars will be training together to become total artists-excelling in singing, dancing and performing. Can they handle the pressure of competing with one another, proving themselves worthy to their instructors, co-students, the judges and the public?

To help the scholars become the total performer that they ought to be, Pinoy Dream Academy has gathered only the most respected and credible instructors - Maribeth Bichara (Dance), Moy Ortiz (Voice), Gretchen Malalad (Fitness), among others. There will also be language teachers and acting coaches. APO Hiking Society's Jim Paredes, who's a respected songwriter and artist, serves as the Academy's headmaster and Artistic Director.

"I believe in the person (referring to PDA Business Unit Head Lauren Dyogi, who worked with him in Tatak Pilipino, a show he is very proud of), who offered me this project," says Jim, who is now based in Australia, when asked why he decided to take on the job. "I also believe in the show's vision. And, through this, as a senior artist, |I would be able to impart good values to these scholars."

While there may be certain guidelines to help Jim in carrying out his job, he says he would also be guided by his own judgment. "There are 16 scholars but we also have to be specific. Kailangan din naman tutukan kung sino ang dapat tutukan para mag-improve pa ang scholar. This is a reality show aside from being a talent show so we have to be ready for changes," says the headmaster of Pinoy Dream Academy.

Every Saturday, the PDA scholars will have a concert in the PDA Concert Hall where they will be judged by respected names from the entertainment industry. These judges will choose five students who will be up for expulsion. Out of five, one will be saved by the teachers; while one by the students. The fate of the remaining three would be based on the public's support for them.

Pinoy Dream Academy will be hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby, Nikki Gil and Bianca Gonzales. Toni, Nikki and Sam host the Saturday gala shows, while Nikki and Bianca anchor the nightly primetime and uplate versions of the program, respectively.

Lauren says they hope to discover the newest and most talented singers from the contest that auditioned hopefuls all over the Philippines, plus Japan, United Arab Emirates, USA, and Sydney, among other places.

The 38 hopefuls will be presented in Cebu, whom we already had the chance to see last Wednesday after the press launch, but only 16 will continue to try their luck inside the Pinoy Dream Academy house, Oyo plays third wheel to Angel-Dennis loveteam

Real-life sweethearts Angel Locsin and Oyo Boy Sotto are together in "Majika" as the top-rating series takes a different turn by adding Oyo Boy to its already formidable line-up of stars. With Oyo Boy's entry, he forms a love triangle with Angel and her leading man, Dennis Trillo.

Actually, Angel has long told Oyo Boy of the plan of "Majika" to make him part of the cast as Angel's new love interest. They started taping together with Dennis last Tuesday in Bulacan where "Majika" is being shot.

"We are happy to be working together," says Angel. "Masaya naman kasi kahit na trabaho, alam mo 'yon, parang 'pag mga breaks, alam na namin kung anong gagawin namin. If ever we have lines to memorize, once we're through with that, we have more time to spend together. Besides, we will get to see each other often. It feels comfortable to be working with Oyo. We look forward going to work even our call time is quite early."

The first scene that they did together sees Oyo Boy rescuing Angel. "Actually, he's very excited to report for taping. He even read the script ahead of me and he would ask me about the characters since he was not able to follow the story on TV. He even arrived very early on the set on our first taping," says Angel.

Angel is happy that even if he has a boyfriend, the public supports her tandem with Dennis. Whatever it is that they do onstage, the audiences love it. "May kilig pa rin sa tao kaming dalawa ni Dennis and I am happy to be paired with him because the public appreciates us both." Angel is twice lucky because even her tandem with Richard Gutierrez is also well-received.

But she doesn't have an idea yet regarding a planned TV series that will feature her with Robin Padilla.

There might be tense moments on the set of "Majika" once Angel, Dennis and Oyo Boy find themselves doing a scene together. "We can't help but be affected somehow since all eyes are on us three. But we have to understand that we have to be professional about it. Personal matters should not affect the quality of our work." Pinay scores big in Olympiad for singing

Kim Flores won a total of five golds in the Olympiad for singing in America. But for the 15-year-old kid, the experience will be forever etched in her mind.

"Initially I was nervous. I did not know what to expect. I just wanted to do my best," says the singing champion. There were close to five thousand contestants from all over the world who joined the singing Olympiad.

But Kim came prepared for the contest, instantly becoming a favorite among the judges who were impressed when she delivered her winning pieces in gospel, Broadway, pop and original categories for the Junior Division (ages 13-15).

Kim sang With One Look from Sunset Boulevard for her winning piece on the Broadway music category; Thanks To You for Gospel; Somewhere over the Rainbow for Pop and You Are My Song in the Original music category. Kim went home richer with Gold Medal for Solo Vocal Pop, Gold Medal for Solo Vocal for Gospel, Gold Medal for Solo for Broadway, Gold Medal for Industry Award for Music, Over All Junior Division Solo Vocal, Plaque for Champion of the World, Over All Junior Division for Vocal Pop, Plaque for Champion of the World, Over All Junior Division for Vocal Broadway, Plaque for Champion of the World, Over All Junior Division for Vocal Gospel.

Kim is an Ivory Music recording artist and has released her debut album, "Something at First Sight" produced by Margot Gallardo. And with five golds tucked under her belt, Kim makes her entry into the league of pop stars.