The two-part finale of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 was concluded last Sunday, September 14, at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City. The Pride of Sultan Kudarat Laarni Lozada was named as the Grand Star Dreamer for this edition when she received 651,696 votes or 35.21 percent of the total text votes.
Uploaded: September 16, 2008
Dubbed as the Independent Woman during this season of PDA, Laarni's last name is actually Losala but she was given the new screen name Laarni Lozada by the PDA mentors.
As the Grand Star Dreamer, Laarni took home the P1 million cash prize from ABS-CBN, a P1.5 million business package from Crystal Clear, and a house and lot from Globe Asiatique.
For three months since June 14, the scholars of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 have been studying and learning under their mentors. Now, they have the chance to apply their lessons in the real world. Aside from being seen every night on PDA, select scholars were also given the chance to perform in ASAP '08.
For two weeks, viewers could vote for their favorite scholar among the Final Six. The voting ended last September 14 at 2 p.m., during ABS-CBN's variety show ASAP '08.
Wency Cornejo (middle, wearing polka dot shirt) and Vina Morales (in violet) performed an energetic number with the Final Six and the expelled scholars of PDA Season 2.
The Final Six of PDA Season 2 (L-R, top row) Van Roxas, Miguel Mendoza, Bugoy Drilon, Laarni Lozada, Cris Pastor, and Liezel Garcia were greeted warmly by their numerous fans. The finale was hosted by (L-R, bottom) Nikki Gil, Billy Crawford, and Toni Gonzaga.
It's just September but the Little Dreamers render Christmas carols for the benefit of the audience. They sing popular Christmas carols such as "Jingle Bells" and "O Come All Ye Faithful."
As the Little Dreamers sang Yuletide carols, te expelled scholars went around carrying baskets to ask for donations for Childhope Asia Philippines, their chosen beneficiary. Chivas Malunda (in photo) even obliged for some photos with his fans.
Copies of the compilation CD titled Scholars sing Cayabyab were being sold at the Cuneta Astrodome for P250. It contains one track each from the Top 10 scholars and a bonus track from Yeng Constantino, the song "Awit ng Pangarap."
Fans of the scholars completely filled up the Cuneta Astrodome, with some of them even wearing specific colors for their favorite singer. Fans of Laarni wore yellow t-shirts while fans of Liezel opted to carry pink balloons and mini-flaglets.
In one of the intermission numbers, Billy Crawford danced and gyrated with the girls of the upcoming gag show Banana Split. Angelica Panganiban (in photo) showed off her feminine curves.
(From left) Diction mentor Von Arroyo, PDA headmaster Ryan Cayabyab, overall voice mentor Kitchy Molina, voice mentor Monet Silvestre, and media performance mentor Joey Reyes entertain the crowd with their performance of "Payong."
Cris Pastor was named as the sixth placer, with her 36,487 votes or 1.97 percent of the total votes. "Na-realize ko ang halaga ng family kasi nalayo ako sa kanila. Dun ko na-realize ang mga pagkakamali ko. Papa, Mama ito na ang bagong Cristina Pastor," she declared as soon as she sang her final song "(Out Here) On My Own."
Van Roxas (formerly Van Louelle Pojas) received 112,065 votes (6.06 percent of the total votes). The heartthrob made girls swoon during the Grand Dream Night with his song "Hard Habit to Break."
Fourth placer Liezel Garcia only received 247,346 votes (13.36 percent) despite being the named Star Scholar for five times during the second season. She was only 6,000 votes short of making it to the Top Three of PDA Season 2.
Miguel Mendoza, The Romantic Crooner, lived up to his name by singing "Love is on the Way." Teacher Monet praised Miguel for his versatility as a singer. The former Philippine Idol contestant received 253,412 votes or 13.69 percent of the text votes.
Miguel Jr. and Mylene Mendoza, the singer's parents stood beside him as he asked the crowd to support not only him but his fellow PDA scholars as well.
Bugoy Bugoyan (who will now be known for his screen name Bugoy Drilon) danced enthustiastically as he sang his final song. He told the audience: "Kahit hindi ako nanalo, sa puso ko Grand Star Dreamer pa rin ako. Kahit simpleng tao pwedeng mangarap!"
How does it feel to win as the Grand Star Dreamer? "Siyempre po, proud na proud po ako at least napakita ko sa buong mundo kung paano po the best si God."
Can Laarni make a mark in this industry? Teacher Monet says, "It's
completely up to her. As long as she surprises her fans, as long as
she's an easy person to get along with, as long as she hones her craft,
she will."
When asked if he agrees with the ranking of the winners, Teacher Monet Silvestre says, "In the end, it's their [audience] judgment. I'm happy with the Top Six and it's the one who will last. I hope if there's one lesson that should stick with them is that they should last. The Grand Star Dreamer is whoever who will be here in the long run."
Now that Miguel has come out of the Academy, he is reunited with his girlfriend Beatriz Muñoz. "Our relationship is still the same as we entered [the Academy] coz we're here to follow our dreams. We're proud of each other,"says Bea.
Bunny and Chivas Malunda were unable to bring their child to the Cuneta Astrodome since children below six years old were not allowed at the venue. Their son celebrated his birthday last September 14, the night of the finale of PDA Season 2. Chivas reveals that because of the medication prescribed for him, he no longer had any fainting spells.
