ABS-CBN's
music lyrics game show that tests contestants' knowledge of songs rather than their
singing prowess has churned out three millionaires in one season alone since it was
launched in April. The Singing Bee, hosted by Cesar Montano, was
recently cited for being the second top-rating show in the primetime block for
the month of June. In the Nationwide Urban TV Audience Measurement report of
AGB Nielsen, Cesar's show received 32.9 percent, making it second only to
GMA-7's fantaserye Dyesebel (which garnered 33.6 percent).
So far, Aiza Seguerra is the biggest winner of The Singing Bee. The child star turned acoustic singer won a whopping P2.08 million cash prize in the game show's first ever back-to-back win.
Aiza was on her sixth song in the Final Countdown when she hit the P1 million jackpot. Her winning streak continued in the next game when she successfully defended her championship status and won another P1 million.
She decided to forfeit her chance to defend her title anew in order to give a chance to others. "Promise ko rin sa sarili ko yun na kapag nakuha ko yung milyon, tama na. Hindi madali angThe Singing Bee. Good thing na mahilig ako kumanta kaya nataon lang na nanalo ako," said Aiza, who took home P2.08 million.
A week earlier, Rachel Alejandro, won P1.2 million on her sixth time as TheSinging Bee champion. Unlike Aiza, Rachel was on a make or break situation when she correctly answered the last song in the show's final round.
"I just feel so blessed. It's not just about the money din kasi. This has a personal impact to me. With all the things going wrong in my life, I now have a reason to believe na di ako malas," said Rachel.
Among the regular players, it is only Steno Padilla who took home the million on his second day as defending champion. The 21-year old journalism fresh graduate said that singing on videoke bars and watching music channel MYX served as his edge in winning the show.
"Di naman talaga ako nagpractice. Suwertehan din po kasi talaga sa TheSinging Bee kaya wala po talaga makapagsasabi kung ano ang dapat na paghahandang gawin mo," he said.
Hosted by Cesar Montano, The Singing Bee is a family-oriented game show wherein the players must know the exact lyrics of the given songs. The show is part of the Kapamilya Network's "Panalo Bawat Pilipino" campaign celebrating the success of Kapamilya game shows that continuously entertain the public, improve people's lives, and engage the audiences through the years.
One of the show's highlights is the Bandble Bee led by the respected musical director Mel Villena. Singing the songs that the contestants must complete include Apple Chiu, Michael Cruz, Led Sobrepeña III, MC Castro,Hannah Pesy, Sheryl Kao,and Arms Cruz.
Michael and Apple are both finalists of singing competitions on television. Apple Chiu, admitted that The Singing Bee has helped her career tremendously. "Malaking tulong talaga sa ‘kin ang Bee. In a way mas nakilala pa ako dito, siyempre kasi mas wide naman yung reach ng viewers di ba. What I like about Bee is nae-explore ko yung ibang genres ng music," she said.
"Malaking bagay na magkaroon ng daily show. I'm really happy na nagkaroon ako ng opportunity na makita uli not just here in the Philippines but around the world," said Michael, who is currently working on releasing his band's own album.
The Singing Bee airs weekdays, after TV Patrol World. The current season has been extended until August 5 on ABS-CBN.