Pinoy Boyband Superstar aired its pilot episode on ABS-CBN last September 10, 2016 at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex.
The boy band search is adapted from La Banda, a singing competition created by popular British record producer Simon Cowell.
Hosted by Billy Crawford, the reality talent search showcases four celebrity judges who have carved a name in the entertainment industry.
Heading the list is the "original" heartthrob multi-awarded actor Aga Muhlach, Korean singing sensation of 2NE1 Sandara Park, multi-awarded recording artist Yeng Constantino and phenomenal box office king-comedian Vice Ganda.
The PBS host explained that the competition is comprised of two parts.
The first part is the voting from the audience. Voters play a vital role in the selection of boyband talents. A contestant has to garner a vote of 75% to proceed to the next round — facing the judges and sing for them. Once a contestant gets 3 or 4 "yes" votes from the judges, he then proceeds to the next level of the competition.
What is Aga Muhlach looking for? The actor states, "may hinahanap akong expression sa mata, sa mukha o sa porma ng tayo, napakaimportante ang stage presence at confidence that you have."
Yeng Constantino, on the other hand, focuses on musicality. The Poprock Princess stressed, "Kailangan malawak ang musicality…Importante makarating ang mensahe ng isang kanta ng inaawit mo."
Sandara Park points out that each band member has a role. "May kanya-kanyang character, kanya-kanyang talent."
Vice Ganda wants to see from the aspiring boy band members: "Yung talentong mong kumonek sa audience para makita yung kakayahan mo."
Alex Geocilio, 17, who hails from Caloocan City, was the first contestant who showed that he has looks and the grit to be a boy band member. He got a 90% vote from the initial round and passed the "audition" with four "yes" votes.
Valenzuela City contestant Ford Valencia, 21, works at a life insurance company. He passed the initial screening and was a bit nervous performing before the judges. However, he won the judges over with his singing talent.
Sandara observed, "Parang hindi ka amateur."
In the end, Ford Valencia received 3 "yes" votes from Aga, Yeng and Sandara.
Contestant Jordan Labrador from Bulacan hardly passed the initial screening with 77%. While the 25-year-old performer was singing "Kiss," Vice commented offhand, "'Pang Chippendale.'"
Aga pointed out to the contestant "For Pinoy Boyband Superstar, I don't see you there but you look good."
Sandara commented, "Yung choice of song mo and the way you move, it's too sexy para sa boyband."
Yeng pointed out, "kakaibang flavor ang maibibibay sa boyband na binubuo namin. Yung character mo…"
Only Yeng voted "Yes" for Jordan and the rest said "No."
The last contestant was Cebuano Neil Murillo who garnered a overwhelming 96% vote from the crowd. He did a short "staring" contest with a female audience participant and handed her a red rose. Neil then wowed the audience with his performance.
Vice commented, "Proud ako sa inyo" while Yeng admitted, "Sobrang na-touch yung heart ko and there's something about you na gustong-gusto kong magsucceed."
Aga complimented him by saying, "Ag galing mong kumanta. Dun kita nakikita sa boyband superstar."
For this feat, Neil earned 4 resounding "Yes" votes which made him, his mom and his blind brother very happy.
More auditions were aired on Pinoy Boyband Superstar the following night.
AGB NIELSEN. ABS-CBN's new reality show Pinoy Boyband Superstar got a TV rating of 21%, based on figures gathered by AGB Nielsen in Urban Luzon areas.
Its GMA-7 counterpart program, Pepito Manaloto, registered a TV rating of 23.9% in Urban Luzon.
KANTAR MEDIA/TNS. However, the Kapamilya talent search was able to get higher ratings than the Kapuso comedy show nationwide, based on data gathered by Kantar Media/TNS.
Pinoy Boyband Superstar scored 34.4% nationwide, winning over Pepito Manaloto which got 21.4%.