Warren Antig almost gave up his slot to Penelope who was booted out at last Sunday's elimination in Pinoy Idol.
Big irony na nasa bottom list si Warren together with Penelope and Kid Camaya last Sunday, July 27, to think na band songs ang performance night ng Pinoy Idol last Saturday, July 26. Band singer si Warren ngunit siya ang nakatanggap ng mga pinakamatitinding komento sa tatlong judges na sina Jolina Magdangal, Wyngard Tracy, and Ogie Alcasid after his lackluster version of South Border's "Kahit Kailan" kaya nga hindi kataka-takang ma-bottom list siya for the second time.
Dalawa silang natira ni Penelope when host Raymond Gutierrez declared Kid as safe.
Sa Center Stage sa SM Mall of Asia where Pinoy Idol is being pre-taped, malakas na ang sigawan na si Penelope ang mase-save kung kaya't natahimik ang buong venue when it was Penelope who got booted out.
Mabilis na bumulong si Warren kay Raymond na ikinabigla ng host. Nang natapos ang show, instead of the usual na pinapa-interview ang mga remaining Idol hopefuls, they were all herded backstage bago pa sila makausap ng invited press.
Raymond immediately disclosed Warren's statement—he is willing to give up his post to Penelope.
"Nagulat ako doon," kuwento ni Raymond sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). "I could not answer him immediately dahil on cam pa kami, but I told him it was not in my power to just announce that he's giving up his slot for Penelope.
"Hindi naman kasi puwede yun, there is a strict bible ang Fremantle na sinusunod. It has never happened in any Idol show na parang voluntary exit. It's not just done, at least in the Idol franchise."
Si Wyngard naman ang kinausap ng PEP tungkol dito at medyo na-off din siya sa biglaang decision ni Warren.
"Sobra namang false humility ‘yan, and you can quote me on that," say ng feistiest Idol judge. "Magpapakahirap kang makapasok sa Idol audition, aabot ka hanggang sa Top 12 ‘tapos bigla ka na lang magde-decide na mag-backout kasi feeling mo ikaw dapat ang natanggal?"
After a while, pinalabas na ang limang hopefuls na sina Kid, Gretchen Espina, Jayann Bautista, Daryl Celis, and Ram Chaves, minus Warren.
Hindi pa rin nila alam kung ano ang mangyayari. Pero according to them, nagbago na yata ulit ang decision ni Warren not give up his slot.
Nang lumabas na si Warren, he confirmed this and apologized for his abrupt decision.
"Naisip ko lang kasi, ako dapat ang natanggal. Ang galing ng performance ni Penelope kahapon kaya nakakagulat na siya pa ang natanggal," paliwanag ni Warren.
Nagsisimula pa lang ang Idol Top 24 four, si Penelope na ang personal bet ni Warren na maging first Pinoy Idol.