POPCORN TIME LIVE BLOG/RECAP: Eva Castillo gave a great performance singing Anthony Castelo’s “Kaibigan” on Saturday. Because of her outstanding performance, she remains as Tawag Ng Tanghalan’s defending champion. Today, Eva fights for her third win. Will Eva beat today’s contenders?
On a side note, today grand finalists Maricel, Marielle, Noven, Pauline, Gidget and Eumee will be doing a medley from Adele’s 25 at the Wish 107.5 Awards, 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Aranta Coliseum.
Tawag Ng Tanghalan Jan 16 Performances
Ronsel Mendoza from Cavite was first to take the stage. Ronsel is twenty five years old. He didn’t finish college but works as a make up artist, wedding coordinator and singer. On the side, Ronsel also works as a care giver. He joined Tawag Ng Tanghalan to share his talent and encourage ‘becky’ singers to share their talents as well. Patty Austin’s “If I Believe” was Ronsel’s song choice for today. Voice quality and timing, check! That’s according to Hurado Kyla. However, pitch and pronunciation was a bit of a problem. Sincere was the word hurado Louie Ocampo used to describe his performance.
Next on stage was band vocalist Rogelle Bandigas. This thirty-one-year-old singer hails from Negros Oriental. Rogelle’s mom passes away when he was just 11 months old. His dad had a family of his own after his mom’s death so Rogelle grew up with his grandmother. Unfortunately, she also passed away in 2009. He then stayed with his aunt and helped around by working as a promodizer, driver, employee of DPWH and finally found his place as a band vocalist. His father requested Rogelle to sing “My Prayer” by the Platters during the contest, and so he did. Punong hurado Billy Crawford loved his voice and his transitions.
Last challenger was eighteen-year-old Arnelly Balasabas from General Santos City. Arnelly is from a broken family. She stays with her mom and her twin sister since her dad left them. The two sisters study during the week and help their mom, a utility worker for the government, by selling calamansi juice at a foodcourt. Arnelly joined Tawag Ng Tanghalan to show her father her talent and ask him to be with them one last time. She sang a very emotional rendition of “Stone Cold” by Demi Lovato. Hurado Nyoy said Arnelly’s voice was very classy. She has the style, dynamics and an “artist level of confindence.” Nyoy added he sees Arnelly go beyond Tawag Ng Tanghalan. KBrosas said all the judges were “in awe.”
Tawag Ng Tanghalan Jan 16 Champion, Monday Winner
All three contenders gave their best performances but it is up to the hurados to choose one daily winner for #ShowtimeAwsomeLunes. The contender who gave the best performance according to the judges was Arnelly Balasabas from Mindanao, garnering an average score of 93.6 percent.
Monday winner Arnelly sang Miley Cyrus’ hit, “When I Look At You” during the face-off. Defending champion Eva Castillo on the other hand sang Gladys Knight’s “Neither One Of Us” hoping to get her third win. After a bit of a discussion among the judges they have decided that today’s winner is– Eva Castillo with an average score of 91.4 percent. This is Eva’s third win as Tawag Ng Tanghalan’s defending champion.
Tawag Ng Tanghalan airs Monday to Saturday on ABS-CBN at noon. Catch another live blog of tomorrow’s episode.