New hopefuls from X Factor

It was probably 18-year-old Cebuano Kedebon Colim who brought out the question. Is the TV show The X Factor Philippines a singing contest or a search for somebody with that unknown quality that makes a star? There were better singers in the line-up. But Kedebon was the most talked about, who had the wit and ingratiating manner and unique name. He also had a hard luck story that Pinoys like their idols to have.

Kedebon did not win the contest. KZ Tandingan did. But no matter, he has emerged as the best known among the finalists. This early after the finals, there are already talks that he has been cast in a sitcom and then perhaps a movie.

Does Kedebon have the X Factor? It is too soon to tell but I can honestly say that out here, great singing alone will get you nowhere. To succeed, an aspiring star must also be charming, likeable and unforgettable.  And who cares if they cannot carry a tune.

Here as presented in the commemorative album are the finalists of the first season of The X Factor in the Philippines.

Got To Be Real by AKA Jam. This is made up of Alyssa Campbell, Auriette Divina, Monique Lualhati, Katrina Velarde, Jhelsea Flores and Ashley Campbell.  They were soloists who did not make it to the Top 20 Girls Category. So in true Simon Cowell fashion, the judges brought them together to form a group.

Love The Way You Lie by Allen Jane Sta. Maria. Only 16 years old, she is already a veteran of TV search for talent contests. She came in fourth. Her youth and pretty face should help her do well in showbiz. I heard that there are now plans to team her up with fellow finalist Kedebon.

All At Once by Daddy’s Home. The members are all daddies and that was how they got the name. They are Jerome Sabado Icatar, Doc Eric Dacanay, Allan Mitchell Silonga and Herbert Silonga. Their Boyz II Men vocals landed them in third place.

It Will Rain by Gabriel Maturan. The contestant from Dapitan won as first runner-up. He has a pop rock style that DJs like. The only problem is this kind of singing does better with singer/songwriters. He might be able to find the right songs to make hits and keep his career going, but the best thing for him would be to start writing his own compositions. Finding a new Valera with soul tones would be nice.

Kung Wala Na by Jerrianne Templo. I am surprised that this girl came in last. She sounds good and has the kind of powerful, husky tones that Pinoys like. Despite the loss, I think she will do well as a lounge act and if she gets her hands on the right songs, also as a recording artist.

Can’t Help Falling In Love by Jeric Medina. He is the balladeer of the batch and he is quite good with adequate vocal range and an expressive style. The only problem is we already have too many balladeers around and they are all still trying to outdo mentor Martin Nievera, who has been around for 30 years. 

Ang Pag-ibig Kong Ito by Joan Da. It was obvious from the start that Joan was a more experienced vocalist than the other contestants. She was also the most versatile, easily straddling a mix of pop and rock songs. But in a youth-obsessed world like ours she clearly did not stand a chance.

Mahal Kita Kasi by Kedebon. He may not have won the contest but as I said before he is the one whom viewers remember and he seems to have already started accumulating fans. If his team-up with Allen clicks, don’t forget, we Pinoys love loveteams, then he might just become X Factor’s first big star.

Killing Me Softly by KZ. I had been hearing this song on the radio these past few days and I had been wondering who the singer was. Nice song choice. Excellent arrangement. Closer to the Lauryn Hill than to the Roberta Flack original and done by a great voice. It turned out to be KZ and if the X Factor is a singing contest, then she deserves to win.

Nanghihinayang by Mark Mabasa. Mark is also an experienced vocalist who has clearly been around, maybe both with bands and as a solo act. Unfortunately, both the judges and the audience did not seem to favor these qualities. He does very well with the cover of the Jeremiah song and with his good looks should do very well in his singing career. 

Balatkayo by Modesto Taran. Was the show hoping for a Paul Potts or Susan Boyle discovery when Modesto made it to the finals? Maybe and although at times uneven, he does have very good tones. It was unlikely that he would win but I like the fact that the door was opened and we might now see more 50-year-olds in talent contests.

 Stay by Take-off. This is the boy group of the competition. I like it that they are no K-pop copies but at the same time, I believe that they are too R&B for local fans. If they can find that middle ground between R&B and FiIipino pop, then I have a feeling they will succeed. They should, as we have been without a real boy band for a long time.

Then to close the album, there is Star Ng Pasko by the X Factor All-Stars. Let us all wish that they also become stars this Christmas.