What BF learned from Celebrity Duets

Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Bayani “BF” Fernando may be known as the guy who painted our bridges pink and created all those U-turns, but this Saturday, he’s simply one of the strongest contenders on GMA 7’s Celebrity Duets.

BF, as he is called, outlasted the other contenders to emerge one of the Top 3 with Joey Marquez and JC Buendia. They will compete for the grand title on Nov. 8 at the studio of the new GMA Building.

The singing tilt has been an eye-opener for the MMDA chair.

“I realized there were still so many things I haven’t been exposed to about singing and performing after this experience, even though I have been singing with our group Three Tenors (with former senator Joey Lina and Defense Chief Angelo Reyes) for years now. Ang dami ko talaga natutunan. For that alone, I will be grateful that they asked me to join,” he says.

Although many people know BF can carry a tune, few of them thought he can go beyond the usual ballads and operas he is identified with. Until the show came along.

BF left his comfort zone in non-ballad numbers with Pilita Corrales (Amor, Amor, Amor), Willie Nepomuceno (Pitong Gatang), Renz Verano (Macho Gwapito), Andrew E (Hahabol Hello Dolly Habol), John Lapus (Copacabana) and Bituin Escalante. But surprise, surprise! The numbers made you feel like singing and dancing along.

With one more show left before the grand finals, BF will don his tuxedo again and return to his trademark ballads. And he has chosen his friend and one of the Three Tenors, Joey Lina, to sing with him.

Their piece, This is the Moment, is prophetic as it is uplifting. It talks of a decisive, shining moment, “when all I wish for, becomes mine.”

BF and Lina, singing partners for the last seven years, are in their element. The chemistry is built-in. With his friend beside him in this decisive leg of the contest, BF’s chances to make it in the finals will soar.

BF already knows what to do if and when he places first in the race.

“Sabi nila basta nasa Top 3 ka na, okay na yun. But if we become blessed even more to win the grand prize, then that will be great. I can use the prize money to help out some charitable organizations,” he says.

He has chosen Caritas Manila and the Childhaus for children with cancer as beneficiaries.

In the end, however, it’s still the televiewers who will decide each contender’s fate next Saturday. BF is appealing to them to text DUETS (space) BF and send to 2344 for Globe subscribers and 367 for Smart and Talk ‘n Text subscribers.

As judge Freddie Santos says, televiewers should ask themselves three questions: Who of the contenders improved every week? Who brought joy and surprise to the show? Who had a good relationship with the person he sang a duet with?

Then, they should cast their vote.

The die is cast. Every contender’s success or failure lies in the televiewers’ hands. Let the finals begin.