New singers from talent shows

It was inevitable that Gretchen Espina would one day go solo and become a star. She was one of the prettiest among the girls with the University of the Philippines Singing Ambassadors and her sweet but powerful singing was a consistent standout in the group. And this was just what happened some months ago. One day she opted to leave and join the Pinoy Idol singing search and after the grueling weekly competition won the title.

Gretchen has now gone on to the next step for the winner, and that is releasing her first CD. The title is Shining Through and it is surprisingly a showcase of light, R&B ballads. I say surprisingly, because contest winners usually prefer to do power singing in their albums. Not Gretchen. Of course, just like those R&B divas known as Beyoncé and Christina Aguilera, she puts her vocals through an impressive assortment of sounds. This is what Pinoys have come to expect from singing champions and she does it well.

A remake of Arni Mendaros’ Kasalanan Nga Ba? leads the pack. There are also other recognizable titles in the album like One More Try, So Slow and Suntok Sa Buwan, which should go big with our cover-crazy market. The rest are new originals, Shining Through, I Promise, Di Man Sabihin, Never In My Life, I Know You By Heart, Pangako Sa’Yo, and her winning Pinoy Idol song, To You. I like the title cut best and if she turns this into a hit, then the lovely Gretchen, who has the looks of a chanteuse, might just become our first successful Idol winner.

Apple Chiu is the self-titled debut by Apple Chiu. The charming Apple was discovered as a finalist at the Philippine Idol search three years ago. She did not win the title but given all that is happening to her career, it now seems like she did. In fact, Apple must be the most heard and the most visible of the batch. The interior designer is one of the Songbees in the game show The Singing Bee, has a regular gig in the musical revue Flow and has now released her first album.

Apple has the kind of low purring tones that the recording studio loves and she puts this into good use with a line-up of dramatic Filipino songs. Ogie Alcasid’s Sa Kanya is the first single out of the well-chosen line-up. Then she gets a crack at two demanding originals written expressly for her, Paano Bang Umibig and Ikaw Ang Kailangan, both of which are also good single materials.

Others included are modern classics like Dito Sa Puso Ko, Hindi Magbabago, Sa Aking Puso and Paano Ba Ang Mangarap. Then just in case if you want to try singing Ikaw Ang Kailangan and Paano Bang Umibig, like Apple does, she has included music minus one tracks of these songs. And to end, an acoustic version of Ikaw Ang Kailangan again.

Meanwhile the TV singing competitions have not been able to turn out any big star these past years, the “original” champions and discoveries from five or so years ago continue to excel in the game and remain top drawers. It can be really said that their success has outlasted the shows where they were discovered, as all of these are not airing anymore.

Sarah Geronimo winner of Star for a Night, has just finished her first Philippine tour. She is getting ready to release a Christmas album and to headline another solo show at the Araneta Coliseum. This is Record Breaker on Nov. 7. Christian Bautista from Star in a Million, has a new CD and it is made up of new versions of Jose Mari Chan’s enduring ballads.

Rachelle Ann Go, winner of Search for a Star and Jed Madela of WCOPA in Los Angeles, are both preparing to record new albums. Meanwhile, they will be together at Sky Dome in SM City North-EDSA for the aptly-titled True Champions on Oct. 24.

Mark Bautista, who comes from Star for a Night, was also busy on tour with Sarah. He has become one of the most recognizable young singers around thanks to his new role as the face of the delectable chicken dish Mang Inasal. A new album is now in the works. The same thing goes for Jimmy Marquez, who was discovered in Search for a Star in a Million. He also toured with Sarah and has began work on a new CD with ace producer Sunny Ilacad.