The
Pinoy Idol contestants have been narrowed down to the top 24, 12 guys and 12 girls.
Hosted by Raymond Gutierrez, with judges Ogie Alcasid, Jolina Magdangal, and Wyngard Tracy, Pinoy Idol is the second instance of the "Idol" series in the Philippines, the first one being ABC's Philippine Idol. The new Pinoy Idol, however, is a GMA-7 production that doesn't recognize the preceding Philippine Idol and its winner Mau Marcelo. The winner will receive P1 million, a house and lot, brand new car, a recording contract with Sony BMG Music Philippines, and a television contract with GMA Network. Below is the recent list of the Pinoy Idol 24 semi-finalists and their corresponding mini biographies.
Male semi-finalistsDaryl (Jett) Celis is 17 from Rizal. He is a son of an OFW, a bar owner in Japan. He audition in Pasay with his grandmother, whom he calls his lucky charm.
Paulo Dio Maghari, also known as Dio Paolo, is 24 from Bacolod. He is a call center agent and a son of a receptionist. He has sung in concerts and has even acted in a musical.
Eleuterio "Elliot" Andal is 24 from Batangas. A son of a jeepney driver, he worked as a choral trainer and conductor and has won plums in several choral competitions. He was also a contestant on Pinoy Pop Superstar.
Joselindo Pimpino Jr., also known as JJ Jr., is 17 from Bataan. He currently studies in Baguio City where his parents live. He also claims to be Pinoy Pop Superstar's youngest competitor at age 14.
Elizalde "Kid" Camaya is 24 from Quezon City. He currently works for the Bank of the Philippine Islands. He says that the show is his "dream and passion."
Ramon "Ram" Chaves III is 25 from Cagayan de Oro. He considers fatherhood as his most cherished accomplishment as his audition in Pasay coincided with his wife giving birth.
Roberto "Robby" Navarro, Jr. is 28 from Pampanga. He was once part of a singing group, but made difficult decision to go solo, which he claims is paying off.
Ryan "Rye" Estrada is 28 from Iloilo. He is a band vocalist and a self-confessed Robbie Williams fans. During the theater rounds, his third performance piece was dedicated to his mother.
Sherwin Bayangan, who goes under the name of Sherwin Marquez, is 26 from Dagupan. He currently lives with his parents in Tuguegarao.
Kristoffer Rei Tragico, or Toffer Rei in the show, is 23 from Marikina City. He is the son of a driver and a housewife.
Walton Zerrudo is 25 from Laguna. He considers standards as his forte and describes his son as his inspiration.
Warren Antig is 25 from Baguio City. He also goes under the nickname of "Bordado" because of his tattos. He became notorious for his decision to back out of the competition during the Theater rounds, only to change his mind in the last minute, irking judges Alcasid and Magdangal in the process and causing delays in the taping of those rounds.
Female semi-finalistsBeverly "Bev" Ejercito is 18 from Davao. She is a daughter of a company driver and is proud of graduating from high school and winning pageants. She also matches her big hair with her big voice.
Carol (Anne) Leus is 17 from Batangas, currently studying in the College of St. Benilde. In 2004, she joined and topped the Pop Star Search in Dubai, organized by The Filipino Channel.
Drizzle (Emerald) Muñiz is 28 from Quezon City. She is a professional songwriter who penned one of Sarah Geronimo's songs from the latter's album.
Gretchen Espina is 20 from Biliran. She is the daughter of Rogelio J. Espina, the governor of the said province. Studying in the University of the Philippines, she auditioned in Pasay accompanied by a bodyguard.
Jay Ann "Jayann" Bautista is 21 from Pampanga. She studies in UP Diliman and her parents run their own businesses.
Jennifer "Jeni" Rawolle is 20 from Paco, Manila. She is a big fan of burlesque performer Dita Von Teese and has previously competed in Pinoy Pop Superstar.
(Angeli) Mae Flores is 18 from Marikina. She competed in the talent show Star for a Night, the same one in which Sarah Geronimo and Mau Marcelo participated.
Meryl (Consulta) David is 23 from the Bicol Region. She is the daughter of a former singer and a real estate broker who achievement is finishing her course in nursing while singing in a band.
Penelope Matanguihan, known only as Penelope in the show, is 16 from Batangas. She is perennial singing champion who is "raring to fight for her family."
Regene Ong is 20 from Quezon City. She impressed judges by singing a wide range of songs, and is equally known for her self-made vintage dresses.
Sue Ellen Cubing, known only as Sue Ellen, is 16 from Iloilo. She is a daughter of a pastor and beauty pageant runner-up. She and her sister, Genevieve, auditioned together and made it through the theater rounds, where Genevieve was among those eliminated.
Vrenilyn "Vren" Villaflor is 17 from Quezon City. A daughter of a police officer, she joined several singing tilts as a child, including Ang Batang Kampeon and Tuklas Talino.
The premiere of Gerald and Kim's My Girl was a stunner as it not only was the number one program on ABS-CBN but it also managed to grab a rating of 28 percent to take the fifth position in the daytime race.
