"I don't know where she gets it, but she definitely has the talent, the potential and the confidence to make it," Ramiele Malubay's neighbor Isidra Yokose said about the Filipino-American talent in an interview with the Associated Press. "We are so proud of her, and we have all the faith in the world that she will make it big."
"American Idol" finalist Ramiele Malubay enjoys support of US-based Pinoys
Thursday, March 13, 2008
03:01 PM
Rating
Ramiele Malubay, the diminutive Filipino bet in the current season of American Idol, has the entire support of her countrymen as the program enters its final and deciding stretch.
"She is incredibly special to us and to the rest of the Filipino community," said family friend Genny Panaligan-Ke in an interview with the Associated Press [AP]. Genny founded the Watch ‘N Vote 4 Ramiele as a means to generate support for Ramiele's AI bid.
People close to Ramiele expressed disbelief at first when they heard that the 20-year-old Filipino-American was trying her luck in the popular talent search show. The thought of Ramiele subjecting herself to the mercy of judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and most especially Simon Cowell, was simply inconceivable. Ramiele, as observed by many of her friends, is painfully shy in front of an audience.
Seeing Ramiele breeze through the program, family and friends couldn't help but recall a particular incident that happened a few months ago. According to the story, Ramiele was cajoled by her parents to render a song number as a birthday present to high school friend Arthur "AJ" Ke during a party. But instead of springing to her feet to grab the microphone, Ramiele rolled her eyes and hid in one corner.
Ramiele's apprehension about her abilities might have stemmed from her failure to land a spot in American Idol last year. Her decision to take a second crack was mainly because of her father's incessant prodding and encouragement.
"I think she was lacking a bit of that confidence and didn't want the people close to her to expect too much from her," shared neighbor Isidra Yokose.
Yokose's observation was fairly accurate, at least during the early goings of Ramiele's campaign for Season 7. In her audition, Simon Cowell dismissed the 4'11" aspirant by comparing her to a "hotel singer." Fellow judge Randy Jackson, however, saved Ramiele from being axed for the second time by offering a kind remark. "You definitely got a big voice for a very cute, smaller girl," Jackson quipped, soothing Ramiele's bruised self-esteem.
NO BIG DEAL. Joining American Idol automatically turns the contestants into instant celebrities, and that involves digging up the contenders past and background.
Just recently, unflattering photos of Ramiele started popping up in cyberspace. The images showed Ramiele naughtily fooling around with a co-worker.
"It's not a big deal," she wrote nonchalantly on her blog in MySpace. "For me, those photos are not racy. But if you think they are, it's okay, that's your opinion. ... It has nothing to do with the show, which is looking for the next singing superstar and not looking for the perfect human."
Ramiele's strong showing reminds everyone of another Fil-Am favorite, Jasmine Trias, who wound up finishing third in American Idol Season 3.
In an earlier interview, Ramiele made a modest comment when the name of Jasmine and her inspiring AI run was brought up.
"First Filipino 'American Idol,' that's kind of still a surreal reach," Ramiele shared. "I don't want to be ahead of myself. I don't want it to go fast. I want it to just come as it does. I'm really excited to just get onstage and show everybody what I can do."
Ramiele survived the first elimination round in the finals of American Idol earlier today. Although the judges did not like her performance of "In My Life," she was declared safe by Idol host Ryan Seacrest.
The bottom three this week are Syesha Mercado, David Hernandez, and Kristy Lee Cook. In the end, America voted and decided to boot out former stripper David Hernandez.
- Ramiele Malubay puts Disney Channel gig on hold for concert with Ogie Alcasid
- Ramiele Malubay says she never wrote anything against "American Idol"
- FIRST READ ON PEP: "American Idol" finalist Ramiele Malubay in Manila for concert with Ogie Alcasid
- Ramiele Malubay’s alleged sentiments about "American Idol" spread on the 'Net
- Ramiele Malubay ends her "American Idol" journey
Get showbiz news anytime, anywhere on your mobile! Just key in PEP ON and send to 4627. Available to all Sun, Globe, and Smart subscribers.
More News
- Comedienne Mosang says she lost P105,00 in a scam
- JC Tiuseco denies rumors he's courting Sarah Lahbati
- Alex Gonzaga hosts new game show with Chris Tiu
- Saab Magalona enjoys playing a villainess in new series
- Liz Uy keeps mum about rumored romance with Ely Buendia; refuses to comment on PNoy-Grace Lee hookup
- Katrina Halili on Hayden Kho's return to showbiz: "Ow? That guy? He's coming back? Oh, good luck to him!"
-
Music
The MYX Music Awards will take place on March 13 at the Music Museum with a '70s-OPM-themed event.
-
Homes and Family
Priscilla Meirelles reveals how pregnancy made her world "turn 360 degrees"
She says her initial plan was to get pregnant two years after her wedding, but she realizes, "God's time is the perfect time."
-
Profiles
ChicoSci vocalist Miggy Chavez plans to venture into tattooing and acting
After playing a small role in Segunda Mano , Miggy says "Why not?" to doing more mainstream projects.
-
Starbiz
Marvin Agustin on producing music concert: "We work hard to get the artist."
Marvin Agustin sees no problem about the regulation of foreign acts in the country.
Most Popular
- Marian Rivera explains visit to taping of a TV5 show; comments on Iza Calzado's transfer to ABS-CBN
- Grace Lee on President Noynoy Aquino: "I like him."
- Part 2 Dolly Anne Carvajal on Carmina Villarroel-Claudine Barretto issue: "I stand by my story."
- Kris Aquino: "Annulment is not a cause for joy. The truth is, it was a marriage that failed but it's a cause for optimism."
- Talent manager Shirley Kuan on columnist Dolly Anne Carvajal: "She can stick to her story. She has a story to tell, fine. But it's a lie."
- PEP SPECIAL REPORT PART I: Why the marriage of Kris Aquino and James Yap was declared null and void
- Mark Bautista remains friends with Piolo Pascual after being involved in the actor's breakup with KC Concepcion
- Hayden Kho, Jr. insists there is "NO infidelity issue" between him and Dra. Vicki Belo; apologizes to Nancy Castiglione
- Director Mac Alejandre talks about his four-year contract with TV5 and reveals the real reason he left GMA-7
- Part 2 Ynna Asistio to Annabelle Rama: "Bakit napakahirap na pakawalan kami kung talagang ayaw mo sa amin at ipinilit lang kami ng nanay ko sa iyo?"
Advertisement
