Celebrity singing competition Celebrity Duets 3 held another elimination night last Saturday, October 17. By the end of the show, boxing champion Nonito Donaire Jr. was officially out after receiving the lowest number of votes from a nationwide audience.
After the elimination of three contenders, five celebrity contenders were left in the GMA-7 show: Brazilian-Japanese model Akihiro Sato, fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme, actress and director Gina Alajar, entrepreneur Joel Cruz and actor Jomari Yllana.
The theme for the night was "Motown Week," taking into account the group of record labels that popularized songs in the 1960s, which played a big role in racial integration of popular music. This week, the contenders also revealed some random tidbits about their fellow contenders.
The Celebrity Duets set was loaded with energy—groups of fans in color-coded t-shirts cheered wildly in the audience section in support of their singing idols.
The Fantastic Six opened the show with Marvin Gaye's "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" dressed in retro-wear, along with back-dancers garbed in similar vintage clothing. The back-up singers were dressed up like Korean sensation Wonder Girls with their shiny gold dresses and ‘60s microphones. Silver disco balls lined the stage and the ceiling, while the judges and the back-up band all donned large Afro wigs.
After the opening number, 2009's WBA Superflyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. took center-stage, receiving hoots and cheers from his fans in the audience. Appearing in afro wigs and retro costumes, Nonito and comedienne Mitch Valdez sang the ‘60s hit "I Got You (I Feel Good)" by James Brown. His fellow contenders all revealed that Nonito is "carefree," "an amazing person" and "an extrovert."
Applause filled the stage. "Much better," said stage director and judge Freddie Santos to Nonito. "Ito yung sinasabi ko sa ‘yo na talagang kailangan seryosohin mo yung music. Alam mo, hanep ang kapartner mo. It's very rarely now that we hear Mitch, and she is fantastic," added the director. "Pero very important, relax on the gimmickry, because you've got the voice. So use the voice. That is your uppercut. That is your punch."
Fans of Brazilian-Japanese model Akihiro Sato were equally supportive on the set, as they cheered for the hunky model who went for a preppy look this week. Wearing similar preppy clothing, Akihiro and duet partner, singer Kris Lawrence, performed "My Girl" by The Tempations. Gina Alajar, Akihiro's fellow contender in the competition, revealed that the model is never prompt on tapings and rehearsals, but is still "palaging naka-smile and laging charming."
Composer and judge Danny Tan said, of Akihiro's performance, "You look so tense today, unlike the previous weeks. Parang masyado kang conscious sa song." He told the model, "Actually, nung nalaman ko na 'My Girl' ang kakantahin mo, sabi ko, bagay sa kanya yung choice kasi simple, and bagay sa personality. But na-feel ko lang na hindi ka relaxed, na hindi ka na masyadong nage-enjoy."
He continued, "Hindi ka comfortable ngayong gabi sa song mo, so next time, huwag mong pahalata sa amin na hindi ka comfortable, na nate-tense ka, kasi malaki na rin improvement mo."
Next was fashion photographer Niccolo Cosme, who also had one side of the audience packed with fans and supporters. In matching dark-blue velvet outfits—Niccolo in a formal suit, and duet partner, R&B princess Kyla in a dress—the duo sang "With You I'm Born Again" by Motown recording artists Syreeta Wright and Billy Preston. Prior to the number, fellow contender Akihiro said that Niccolo is truly a nice person and is always "just laughing."
After his performance, Season 1 Grand Winner and celebrity judge Tessa Prieto-Valdes said that Niccolo's song did not go with this week's Motown theme. But despite this, the Sea Princess still complimented Niccolo by saying, "You're really the most creative when it comes to singing. I really can hear your voice. Among all the contenders, you really have the passion to sing.
"But it's TV," she continued, "[and] it's hard for people to relate if they can't understand the song so much." To this, Niccolo countered, "I consulted naman with production [and] they said it's Motown. Sorry," he laughed apologetically.
Award-winning actress and director Gina Alajar followed after Niccolo, singing The Temptations' "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)" with duet partner, veteran actor Christopher de Leon. Singing with back-up dancers and props, Gina wore a polka-dotted dress with matching boots, net stockings and retro-styled hair. The loud cheers and applause of the audience were led by her best friend, actress Mel Kimura.
Prior to her number, Joel Cruz said that Gina is really tough competitor, "talagang give na give [and] medyo nakaka-tense makalaban." True enough, the judges raved about Gina's performance, like in the past weeks.
