Here’s a live blog that recaps the highlights of Pinoy Boyband Superstar, Oct. 1 episode. The audience can expect live shows soon enough. For now, the viewers are taken straight into the contestants’ auditions with the judges, live audience and host Billy Crawford. Towards the end of the episode, viewers witnessed an emotional reunion between actor Boom Labrusca and his son, Tony. They never had contact since Boom and Kulay’s Angel Jones split up when their kid, now 21, was still a baby.
First on stage was Henz Villaraiz, 19, fan of 5SOS (5 Seconds of Summer). He got 85 percent approval from the fans. An avid supporter who was already smitten when she saw him in the audience during a 5SOS concert in Manila got up on stage to show some love. Henz’ biological father left him when he was just one year old, so his Japanese stepdad was the only dad he grew up knowing. Judge Sandara Park taught him how to say “I love you, father” in Japanese: Aishiteimasu, Otōsan. A self-confessed “mama’s boy,” Henz sang “Heartache On The Big Screen” by 5SOS. Judges Aga Muhlach, Yeng Constantino gave him a yes, but Vice Ganda thought he could’ve given more. Sandara Park gave the deciding vote that got Henz through to the next round.
The next boyband hopeful is from Davao City. To win the crowd, he shared a picked up line: Promdi ka ba? Kasi, I love you promdi bottom of my heart. Maybe it was the rather lame line, or his energy level, or his overall visual impact — there could be many reasons for his 70 percent approval rating. It was not even close enough to the required 75 percent approval rating before he could perform in the judges’ booth.
Next up was Joshua Manio, from Olongapo City. Raised by his grandma, Joshua came off as cute enough for the fans. He promised the audience he could sing well, and he delivered. His take on “Bakit Pa Ba” by Jay-R made up for the weak first impression he made on both Yeng Constantino and Vice Ganda. Aga said the just-enough rating of 75 percent was an act of destiny. He then got unanimous approval from the judges. (Anyone else thinking of Jiro Manio, at this point?)
Nhiko Sabiniano, 16, from Marikina City. He got 80 percent approval rating from the girls in the audience although he seemed a bit too shy for a boyband hopeful. He covered Justin Bieber’s “What Do You Mean.” All the judges agreed he did not seem comfortable on stage. They particularly want him to establish rapport and eye contact when he returns. Vice Ganda did not feel compelled to give him a yes, but it was his a capella request that convinced Yeng to give the deciding affirmative vote.
Pinoy Boyband Superstar, Oct. 1 on Twitterverse: #BoybandDreams
Pinoy Boyband Superstar, Oct. 1 on Twitterverse: #BoybandDreams
Next up was Tony Labrusca, 21, from Pasig City. “I promise you, I’m one the sweetest boys you’d get to meet,” he said. He got 98 percent. Promises still work! He got 98 percent from the girls. Vice Ganda called him “hunk na gymnast.” The audience then learned that he is the son of an actor that he never got to meet. “Perfect sana kung kumakanta, no?” Aga said before Tony walked into the judges’ booth. (Girls were crossing their fingers, now.) Tony’s mom, Angel Jones, was from the band Kulay with Radha. Tony chose to sing “You and Me” by Lifehouse. The girls went wild when he delivered the first couple of lines. Then everyone got emotional when Vice Ganda requested for the mother and son to sing together. It was a beautiful moment. Then a bomb was dropped: Boom, Tony’s biological dad, was apparently backstage… Uh-oh. Images of “Unreal” in my head now.
Pinoy Boyband Superstar, Oct. 1 on Twitterverse: #BoybandDreams
“Kahit parang stranger s’ya sa ‘kin, I see so much of myself in him,” Tony said. For his part, Boom said God’s timing is always good. Angel, meanwhile, was looking so radiant in the middle of a very strange situation. It’s so nice to see a beautiful and graceful woman react to such a shocking twist.
The #BoybandDreams episode ended with the strange reunion. Now the audience is looking forward to seeing more from Tony. This is the first Pinoy Boyband Superstar episode I’ve seen. Glad to catch a good one!
Pinoy Boyband Superstar airs weekends on ABS-CBN. It is also available on iwantv.com.ph.