and
Happy New Year to All
God Bless You!
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
HALF the original 20 contenders of the 2006 TFC Pop Star Search have been voted out by judges, after seven Fridays of intense competition.
The contest, to discover the next shining star of the Philippines amongst Filipinos in the Middle East, is organised by The Filipino Channel (TFC).
Contests are being held all over the GCC, with the Bahrain search being held in collaboration with Guirgisco Events Marketing.
This year's judges are from the Royal Board of Music in London, UK and the Classic Music Institution of Bahrain.
The elimination phases continue tonight and on April 7 at the Sampaguita Club and Restaurant, at the Moon Plaza Hotel, Umm Al Hassam.
Doors open at 8.30pm.
During each phase, the remaining 10 contestants will be performing two fast songs and two slow songs.
"On reviewing the past seven weeks of performances, barometers indicated that the mighty circle of five is composed of Levie Nacional, Siegred Plaza, Hazel Lopes, Ariel Forbes and Maristela Watson," said Guirgisco Group of Companies general manager Ahbet Quinto.
"While the remaining five contenders still in the running are Mervin Flores, Jonathan Zumarraga, Marietta Miranda, Miguelito Gamba and Venelyn Billiones."
Ms Watson was adjudged by Bahrain Travellers Magazine as the Press Choice during the last elimination phase and received a $100 (BD37.8) prize.
Tonight and next Friday, the judges are to select the best eight of the remaining 10 contestants, who will then compete in the TFC Pop Star Bahrain Final on May 5 at Al Ahli Stadium in Zinj.
The finals will also feature the winners of Star In A Million (a popular TV contest in the Philippines similar to the UK's Pop Idol) Jerome Sala and Tata Villaruel.
The champion of the Bahrain National Finals will receive $1,500 (BD567) in cash, plus a trophy.
The first runner up will receive $1,000 (BD378) and a trophy and second runner up $500 (BD189), a trophy and gift voucher.
The champion and first runner-up will represent Bahrain in the Middle East Grand Showdown to be held on June 2, in Dubai.
THE elimination round of the search for the TFC Pop Star in the Middle East continues in Bahrain this Friday.
Twelve Filipino singers - Levie Nacional, Ariel Forbes, Hazel Lopez, Marestela Watson, Marietta Miranda, Miguelito Gamba, Mervin Flores, Jonathan Zumarraga, Laila, Felipe, Siegfred Plaza, Oscar Callope Jr and Venelyn Billiones - will take turns singing in front of judges at the Sampaguita Club and Restaurant at the Moon Plaza Hotel, Umm Al Hassam.
Doors open at 7pm and the show begins at 8.30pm. Tickets are BD1 per person.
The singers are being judged on their individual voice placement and style, intonation, timing, song-image compatibility, interview and interaction and potential in interpreting their prepared fast songs and voice quality and artistic rendition, plus stage projection.
The round continues on March 31 and April 7, when the judges will finally decide which eight will proceed to the Bahrain National Finals on May 8 at Al Ahli Stadium, Zinj.
The finals will also feature Jerome Salas and Tata Villaruel - winners of Star In A Million, a popular TV contest in the Philippines similar to the UK's Pop Idol.
The TFC Pop Star search is a regional project of the ABS CBN Middle East supported by Western Union International, MORE Etisalcom, Jealous Jeans and Identity.
For more information, call 17728001 or 39106589.
Back to the 70s at Dilmun Club
THE music and fashion of the 70s and 80s are to make a comeback at the Dilmun Club's Candles Restaurant, Saar on March 30.
Music will be provided by The Sid N The Tonics band, a four-piece British expatriate band based in Saudi Arabia.
Tickets are BD7.5 for members and BD10 for guests, inclusive of buffet dinner and beverage.
Doors open at 7.30pm.
Meanwhile, the club is organising an Elton John and Freddie Mercury tribute to be held in the next few weeks.
Finalised details will be announced soon.
For more information, contact the club on 17690926 or 17692986.
Night of fun for film fans
A HUNGAMA Night will be held at the Indian Club, Manama, involving a live orchestra and a variety of entertainment programmes.
The social event will showcase songs by singers, such as Sushil Bhatia, Poonam Sagar and Salim Zakaria.
There will also be a variety of dances performed, as well as a mimicry performance.
Members are encouraged to attend, and guests will be charged BD1 for entry.
For more information, contact entertainment secretary Ashraf Khan on 39655652.
Playlist:
MUSIC VIDEOS
1 When I See You Smile
2 Never Say Goodbye
3 I Remember You by Tata Villaruel
4 When Love And Hate Collide
5 I Would Do Anything For Love
6 Missing You
AUDIO
7 When I See You Smile
8 Never Say Goodbye
9 I Remember You by Tata Villaruel
10 When Love And Hate Collide
11 I Would Do Anything For Love
12 Missing You
13 Where No One Dares To Go
14 Search For The Star In A Million Themesong
RECORD LABEL: Star Records
RELEASE DATE: January 2006
to vote:
text SIAM Tata
Local Voting/React and Profiles send to:
2331 for Globe/Sun
231 for Smart
International Voting/React and Profiles send to:
23661 for Viewers in the U.S.
Landline Voting/React and Profiles:
1908-ABSSIAM
1908-2277426
P2.50/minute
To send in reactions:
text SIAM REACT
To access profiles:
text SIAM FILE Tata
Each text message costs $.50. All Standard Text Message rates apply.This service is available to all Cingular Orange, Cingular Blue, Verizon and subscribers.Visit www.abs-cbn.com and look for the 23661 link for more details.