Talentado finals marks Juday's comeback TV appearance

MANILA, Philippines - Televiewers have reasons to stay glued on their screens when TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy holds its two-night Battle of the Champions at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on March 12 and 13.

One, Judy Ann Santos will make her first TV appearance after giving birth to Lucho, her and husband/Talentadong Pinoy host Ryan Agoncillo’s son. She will again sit as one of the judges in the show’s grand finals night. This, Ryan recently revealed after six of the eight Hall of Famers held a mini-show at the SM Skydome. 

“According to the staff, Juday has already confirmed. As far as I know this will be her first public appearance. The first time she sat as judge was when she was heavy with Lucho,” Ryan says.

Just like in the first season, Judy Ann’s presence will definitely add excitement to the show. 

Two, the show will treat televiewers to two consecutive nights of one-and-a-half hours of amazing, amusing and appealing performances of the contestants. The grand winner will walk away with P1-M and the title Ultimate Talentado.

This early, stiff competition is visible in every Hall of Famer’s presentation. Who wouldn’t be amazed with Sfazhiva’s pole dancing stints or the acrobatic stunts of real-life couple Isaac and Jocelyn of Zion Show? As if that’s not enough, Joseph the Artist of Laguna displays his creative talent using sand as medium.

Cavite’s RR Friends, Davao’s Beatbox Gor and Cebu’s Fire Attraction are amusing in their unique and special routines while New Born Divas and The Believers’ power voices are equally appealing. A wildcard winner, to be announced on March 6, will also enter in the final showdown.

Each performance proves Pinoys definitely have a variety of talents to show. But it is only on Talentadong Pinoy stage where talent is not only limited to singing and dancing. Everyone is welcome to showcase a unique and special skill.

“The variety helps sustain the interest (of televiewers). Besides, there are really lots of talented Pinoys because wherever I go, there are many who want to have an impromptu audition,” Ryan offers.

And while other talent searches have already folded up, Talentadong Pinoy consistently enjoys greater percentage of audience share. It has also won awards from Anak TV, from KBP Golden Dove and recently from USTv.

Asked if there’s a “success formula,” Ryan replies, “I guess it goes back to the (sense) na lahat yata ng Pinoy gusto ma-TV. I mean game kami sa lahat ng may talentong ipapakita at pag nakasama naman talagang nahahasa. From raw talents to professionals.”

Ryan also admits he looks forward to every taping day. “The staff and I are genuinely excited every time we’re on the set because we never know what the line-up would be for that day. So there’s genuine interest sa amin pa lang. Hopefully, it translates to the audience also.”

With six of the Hall of Famers who will vie for the title Ultimate Talentado 2011. – Photo by ENIE REYES

Three, March 13 will be more spectacular as the show will feature celebrity contestants who will again compete in Celebrity Edition. These include Rosanna Roces, Regine Tolentino, Ciara Sotto, Valeen Montenegro and Pretty Triszha.

Four, after the finals, Talentadong Pinoy continues to hold auditions all over the country. The plan to search for Pinoy aspirants overseas is also in the drawing board.

“The initial plan is we will be going to Asian countries probably Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia to hold auditions there and whoever will be chosen will be coming here to compete,” Ryan shares. “And if that proves to be successful then hopefully we can also go to US and Europe.”

Ryan adds the second season’s grand winner will become one of the Philippine representatives to the World Championship of the Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Is he set to do a special number come grand finals night?

“I really like to have one kaso baka masarhan ako ng kurtina. But if ever I do, gusto ko yung song na kakabahan si Richard Poon. Crooner ‘to e, (laughs).”