The X Factor Philippines on ABS-CBN June 23

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s biggest and grandest musical event of the year kicks off on Saturday as ABS-CBN premieres the much-awaited Philippine adaptation of the worldwide phenomenal hit X Factor franchise, The X Factor Philippines, with KC Concepcion as host and Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Charice and Pilita Corrales as celebrity judge-mentors.

The X Factor Philippines is searching for undiscovered talent 16 years old and above that will be divided into four categories: Girls, Boys, Adults and Groups. They should be willing to brave the panel for a chance to win the biggest prize in a Philippine singing competition, a whopping P4M worth of prizes, and become the next Pinoy multimedia star.

After months of auditions in 70 cities across the country, more than 20,000 hopefuls flocked to the audition venues in hopes of fulfilling their dreams. But it wasn’t an easy ride for each and every one of them as they underwent a tedious screening process.

As early as the audition stage, the hopefuls must impress the judges and at the same time an audience of thousands that can be a potential legion of fans. The auditionees need at least three “yes” from the judge-mentors to proceed to the next stage — the Boot Camp.

In the Boot Camp, contestants will go through a series of performances that will further test their X factor. This will enable the judge-mentors to select and trim them down to 20 contestants divided in four categories— five solo male contestants aged 16 to 25 or the “Boys,” five solo female contestants aged 16 to 25 or “Girls,” five solo contestants over 25 years old or the “Adults,” and five group contestants aged 16 and above or the “Groups.”

Before advancing to the Judges’ Homes stage, The X Factor Philippines producers will then reveal which category judge-mentors Martin, Gary, Charice and Pilita will be mentoring. The judge-mentors then take the contestants to their respective “Judge’s Home” where they will select the best performers to take to the live show.

Only three contestants from each category will complete the final 12 contestants who will proceed in the final stage of the competition. At this point, the finalists must face the fifth and final judge who has the sole power to turn their dream of becoming a star into reality— the viewers.

Who will become the first grand winner of The X Factor Philippines? Will the winner come from the Boys, Girls, Adults, or Groups? Who among the mentors will coach the country’s next singing superstar?

Watch out for jaw-dropping performances from auditionees and unexpected tensions among the celebrity judge-mentors. More surprises are also coming your way in weeks to come.