Robin and Mariel tapped as new ‘Talentadong Pinoy’ hosts

Robin Padilla signed with TV5 last Thursday, July 24, and together with his wife Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, will host the returning “Talentadong Pinoy,” one of the flagship programs of the Kapatid network before the bright guys over at TV5 decided to “kill” it.

Well, they must have learned their lesson that experimenting with a successful franchise by doing away with it was not a bright idea after all, so they are trying to resurrect “Talentadong Pinoy” with the help of Robin who is going to reinvent himself by becoming a TV host.

Taping for “Talentadong Pinoy” with Robin and Mariel as the new hosts will be on August 5 at the Pioneer St. (Mandaluyong City) studio of TV5.

Meanwhile, Robin is also in another TV5 show, “Jasmine,” which airs every Sunday.

The action star is also kept busy with shooting for his movie “Bonifacio, Gusto Mo Ba Siya Makilala,” an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival this December.

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Award-winning composer Jungee Marcelo added another feather on his cap by winning the Philpop 2014 songwriting composition with his entry titled “Salbabida.” The finals night was held Saturday, July 26, at the Meralco Theater. He won the top prize of P1 million and the Ramon Orlina trophy.

It was Kyla who interpreted Jungee’s prize winning entry. In a brief interview after the contest, Jungee told The Freeman that it was a good feeling to win. But he said that in the many years that he had joined songwriting competitions, he had more losses than victories.

“But the thing is, when you win, people tend to forget the times that you lost. They tend to remember your winnings more than your defeats,” added Jungee who also won at the Philpop 2012 competition. He said he will use the P1 million to pay off his debts.

Kyla, meanwhile, admitted that before the announcement of the winner, she was really nervous. “I told myself that if I win, it’s the will of God. Kasi isa na lang ang tatawagin na winner and there are still 10 songs na pagpipilian nila. But I think what made ‘Salbabida’ win was its inspiring message,” said the singer.

She also added that she was also nervous when she set foot onstage to sing “Salbabida” because it was a difficult song. “Malalalim ang mga Tagalong words sa lyrics kaya mahirap din ito kantahin. I really thank the Lord for blessing us with this win,” added Kyla. She said that while Philpop is primarily a songwriting competition, somehow, there is a plus factor of the interpreter of the song gives a good performance during the finals.

Taking first runner-up honors is Toto Sorioso and his composition titled “Awit Mo’y Nandito Pa” which was performed by Aldrich Talonding and his cousin James Bucong. Sorioso won P500,000 and a Ramon Orlina trophy. He said he plans to write a song if ever Aldrich gets to do an album.

For his part, Aldrich was very thankful for the opportunity given him by Philpop to interpret one of the entries. Aldrich and James was the duo who became popular in YouTube and paved the way for them to perform at The Ellen DeGeneres Show last year.

Winning second runner-up is Daryl Ong via his composition titled “Torpe” which was interpreted by R&B artist Kris Lawrence. He went home richer by P250,000 plus a handsome Ramon Orlina trophy. “Torpe,” an R&B infused romantic ballad will surely be a favorite by a radio station that caters to smooth jazz music.

Garnering the People’s Choice Award was the song “Kung Akin ang Langit,” written by Cecilia Bocobo and Isaac Joseph Garcia, and interpreted by McCoy Fundales at Clara Benin.  It won P100,000 and a Ramon Orlina trophy as well.

This song was written as a lullabye for Bocobo’s disabled son who has Type 2 spinal muscular atrophy.

The other Philpop finalists this year were Soc Villanueva’s “Babalikan Mo Rin Ako” interpreted by Nikki Gil, Mike Villegas’ “Dear Heart” sung by Kiana Valenciano, “Qrush on You” by James Palma and Cedric Bondoc and performed by JayR, Elmo Magalona and QYork, and Toto Sorioso’s other entry, “Langit Umaawit” sung by Tom Rodriguez.

Also in the finals were “Hangout Lang” by Allan Feliciano and Isaac Garcia as performed by Duncan Ramos and Young JV, Davey Langit’s “No Girlfriend Since Break” sung by Luigi D’ Avola, Popsie San Pedro’s “The Only One” crooned by Thor Dulay and “Song on a Broken String” by Jude Gitamondoc and Therese Marie Villarante as interpreted by Nicole Asensio.

The Philpop 2014 Grand Finals was hosted by Ogie Alcasid, Iya Villania-Arellano, and Christian Bautista. Anchor hosts were Tim Yap and Jasmine Curtis Smith. Among the guest performers were Kuh Ledesma, Gary Valenciano, Gloc 9, Sam Concepcion and Tippy Dos Santos, who interpreted the prize-winning song in Philpop 2013.

Also performing was the cast of the widely-acclaimed original Pinoy musicale “Rak of Aegis” composed of Aicelle Santos, Robert Sena, Isay Alvarez, Kakai Bautista, and Myke Salomon.

The board of judges of Philpop 2014 were composed of Wilma Galvante, Noel Cabangon, Aiza Seguerra, Miss World 2013 Megan Young, Sam Concepcion,  Julie Anne San Jose and rap artist Abra.