Celebrity Duets 3, GMA-7's singing competition for the stars, held a non-elimination night last September 19, giving the eight remaining celebrity contenders one more week to enhance their vocal skills. Another round of eliminations will take place this Saturday, September 26. Who will exit the show after former beauty titlist Janina San Miguel?
The remaining contenders are celebrity fashion designer Maxie Cinco, fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme, 2009's WBA Superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire, Jr., actor and concert producer Jomari Yllana, award-winning actress and director Gina Alajar, cosmetic surgeon Mikaela, entrepreneur Joel Cruz, and Brazilian-Japanese model Akihiro Sato.
First on stage was designer Maxie Cinco with singer and former child actress Aiza Seguerra. The two performed "You're The One That I Want" from the musical Grease. According to his staff, Maxie makes his own costumes and accessories. That night, he wore an Elvis-style wig and a pair of aviator shades, while duet partner Aiza was garbed in a white, curly, long wig complemented by a tight-fitting leather suit and red high-heeled pumps.
The costumes prompted composer and judge Danny Tan to comment, "Maxie, bilib ako sa powers mo," he told the designer. "Ginawa mong babae si Aiza," he explained, noticing the singer's change in image from boyish to feminine. "Dapat ganyan ang mga performances mo, masaya, pero na-feel ko parang kulang pa," he countered. "Mag-relax ka pa, maging masaya ka pa. Kulang pa ng fun, pero papunta ka na do'n. 'Pag nag-e-enjoy ka, nag-e-enjoy din kami."
Following Maxie was photographer Niccolo Cosme who had sultry actress Ara Mina for a partner. They gave a faster and more upbeat interpretation to Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown's hit duet, "No Air."
Judge Freddie Santos admitted, "Weird song for me. Weird song choice. I wish there weren't too many things happening, para makapag-concentrate ako sa inyong dalawa," he said, bringing into light the moving staircases which the duo used as props. "The one thing, though, that I really appreciate is, Niccolo nagiging walanghiya ka na. Okay yun," he told the photographer.
Boxing champ Nonito Donaire, Jr. went from real-life punches to comedic punches this week, as he teamed up with YouTube sensations and comedy duo, Moymoy Palaboy. Nonito sang Shaggy's "Angel" with one-half of Moymoy Palaboy, while Roadfill merely acted in the background. The group had a massive YouTube window as backdrop, and Rastafarian-inspired costumes that seemed to mimic the Jamaican feel of the song.
After the performance, host Ogie Alcasid (who had to pull off a solo act with the absence of co-host Regine Velasquez this week) teased Nonito about opening for GMA-7's Sunday concert program, SOP. Nonito mimicked a Jamaican accent as a reply to this joke, which Ogie took as a cue to tease him some more about joining gag show, Bubble Gang.
It appeared that Ogie wasn't the only one impressed, for judge Freddie Santos was so awed, he even mumbled some Visayan words to Nonito. He then said, "That was so insanely wonderful. Really. Ang gaan, 'e! Talagang hanep."
Actor and concert producer Jomari Yllana rocked Tears For Fears' "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" with The Dawn frontman, Jett Pangan. The duo wore similar leather jackets to complete the rocker vibe.
Judge Tessa Prieto-Valdez was all praises for the actor. "You're so cool!" she told Jomari. "Every week you're getting so much better. Sobrang guma-gwapo ka na! Galing, the combination was so good," she noted, referring to the vocal blending that the actor whipped up with his duet partner. "I so love you! Good job!"
Next was multi-awarded actress and director Gina Alajar with actor Tirso Cruz III. Gina and Tirso danced and sang Donna Summer's "Let's Dance" in what appeared to be a ballroom-inspired performance.
"Bravo! Ang galing!" said judge Tessa Prieto-Valdes. "Alam mo mahirap kumanta at sumayaw ng sabay-sabay," she told Gina, who had been in the Bottom Three last week. "So much better than last week, grabe. I've been in the Bottom Three, and I know how that feels. For sure this week hindi ka Bottom Three, I'm so sure of it. Congratulations! I love the number!"
Up next was beauty maven Mikaela and duet partner, Pinoy Idol grand winner Gretchen Espina. The duo performed Beyonce's "Single Ladies," complete with the original dance moves. Mikaela even went on to copy Beyonce's swimsuit-inspired costume, but adorned hers with glitter and some flashy accessories.
Despite the loud dance moves and costumes, Mikaela failed to impress the judges. Danny Tan confessed, "For me it was a disaster, actually. I think choice of song mo is a big problem, for me. Maybe you should re-think kung anong song talaga bagay sayo," he told the cosmetic surgeon, taking note of her previous song choices. "I really don't think you have the inner rhythm to get through these fast and dance numbers. It's just a matter of choice of song siguro."
