Meet Jin Macapagal, The Ultimate BidaMan

Jin Macapagal was hailed as the first Ulimate BidaMan after beating 20 other contestants in “BidaMan, The Big Break,” the search for the new Kapamilya leading man in the popular noontime show It’s Showtime.

Jin, who was described as a Rico Yan look-alike by judge Edu Manzano, earned a total score of 8.9 from the panel of judges for his monologue performance in the final round.

The 24-year old winner from Cebu said he is dedicating his victory to his mom, who had to fly back to the US two weeks before the grand finals.

“Sana andito ang mama ko kasi ginawa ko ito para sa kanya. I hope I make her proud,” said Jin in an interview after the finals held at the Kia Theater.

Jin struts on stage during the talent round...

“Every time nahihinaan ako ng loob, tumatawag ako sa kanya. Sinasabi niya sa akin, ‘Kaya mo iyan, believe in yourself. Whatever is the outcome, I know you did your best,’” he added.

The days leading to the finals brought were unnerving and agonizing for Jin as he had to wait until Friday to compete for a slot in the finals.

“The pressure was intense. I asked myself a lot of times if I could make it and the people close to me would encourage me,” he recalled. “I invested my time in this contest and gave my best.”

It was not the first time for Jin to join a TV contest. In 2016, he competed in the singing-reality competition “Pinoy Boyband Superstar,” but did not make it.

The judges (from left): Ian Veneracion, Edu Manzano, Angel Locsin, Bobet Vidanes, Nadine Lustre and Joshua Garcia. Not in photo is director Ruel Bayani.

“When I joined ‘Pinoy Boyband Superstar,’ I was not confident with my singing. With ‘BidaMan,’ I was able to show what I can offer as a leading man. So I try to stick to my game plan, which is to be myself,” he said.

As the Ulimate BidaMan, Jin won P2 million, a brand new SsangYong Muso pick-up truck, a house and lot from Lumina, and a management and movie contract with ABS-CBN.

When asked who among the Kapamilya actresses he would want to work with in the future, Jin said it would be Kathryn Bernardo.

Jin (front row, second from left) with the 12 grand finalists ...

“Sobrang galing umarte ni Kathryn. Maganda siya and I know she is a genuine person,” he said, adding that he would not mind being a third wheel in a film with Kathryn and Daniel Padilla.

In Saturday’s finals, Jin held his ground in a live acting improvisation with actress Jane Oineza. Joining showbiz has been a childhood dream. Somehow, his semblance to the late Rico Yan was a factor as people would often complement him. For now, he is excited to work, “I don’t want to disappoint the people who trusted me. Pagbubutihan ko.”

Competing against Jin in the final Spotlight round were Eris Aragoza, who got a score of 8.6, and Jiro Custodio, who obtained a score of 8.3 from the judges.

Aside from Edu, the other judges were “It’s Showtime” creator and director Bobet Vidanes, Nadine Lustre, Ian Veneracion, Joshua Garcia, Ruel Bayani, and Angel Locsin.

...and then there were three, Jin with Jiro Custodio (left) and Eris Aragoza

The other BidaMan finalists who made it to the top 6 were Yuki Sakamoto, Dan Delgado, and Madlang People’s Choice winner Ron Macapagal.

Six young actresses joined the BidaMan finalists in the Matinee Matibay acting improvisation. Apart from Jane, the other actresses were Yassi Pressman, Denise Laurel, Janella Salvador, Maris Racal, and Elisse Joson.

Special awards were given to Wize Estabillo for Bida Smile, Jay Dizon for Bida Bilidad, Johannes Rissler for Bida Brod, and Jervy de los Reyes for Bida Bod.

At the end of the contest, “It’s Showtime” aired a teaser plug about its new contest called “Mr. Q and A.”