Pinoy Dream Academy Season 1 launched the careers of
multi-platinum artist Yeng Constantino and singer-turned-actor Jay-R Siaboc.
Can the final six scholars of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 reach (or
even surpass) the achievements of their predecessors? PEP (Philippine
Entertainment Portal) gives the lowdown on the remaining contestants of the
ABS-CBN singing reality show.
Jay "Bugoy" Bogayan
Hometown: Camarines Sur
The Farmer's Son
Named Top Scholar for the week: five times
Forget the rumors about his sexuality or the unnecessary
comments about his less-than-appealing looks. Jay "Bugoy" Bogoyan is, without a
doubt, is the competition's best male vocalist. What's even more exciting is
how Bugoy had no previous singing background. This 18-year-old college
undergraduate is the only scholar who managed to break Liezel Garcia's
three-time Star Scholar run. Bugoy also has the distinction of having the
highest score for a trio performance ("Yesterday," with Van Pojas and Hansen
Nichols) and a duet ("Muli" with Vina Morales). While Bugoy is only second to
Liezel in terms of score average, he is so far more consistent; having been
excluded from the top three only twice.
At his best, Bugoy is an engaging performer with the most mesmerizing voice. In
fact, his "I'll Make Love To You" and "Yesterday" are perhaps the season's most
memorable and successful performances to date. At his worst, as in his
rendition of "Nakapagtataka," he still managed to impress the judges. His
diction and stage presence are his most obvious waterloo, but these never
hindered Bugoy from delivering a show stopping performance.
Liezel Garcia
Hometown: Dubai
Pride of Puerto Galera
Named Top Scholar for the week: five times
On paper, Liezel Garcia is already the clear-cut winner of
PDA Season 2. She has the distinction of being the first Star Scholar of the
competition; in Season 1, it was Yeng Constantino who got the highest score,
and everyone knows that she went on to become the most successful alumna of the
first batch. Liezl has the highest score average and has been named Star
Scholar the most number of times. Yet, while Liezel is arguably one of the two
best female vocalists in the competition, she lacks the confidence as a singer
and as a potential celebrity. Liezel also failed to sustain her winning streak
at the latter part of the contest. But, despite these, the Pride of Puerto
Galera is still one of the favorites to win this competition.
Although Liezel lacks stage presence, making her latter performances
predictable, her voice more than makes up for it, judging from her rousing
renditions of "Listen," "Count On Me," and "So Much Love." Even her less
successful songs earned praises from the judges, proving that, even with her
least inspired performances, Liezel has the making of a true singer.
Laarni Losala
Hometown: Sultan Kudarat
The Independent Woman
9th Gala Night Star Scholar
On Probation: twice
