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.
"Number one, memoryado yung lines," said Direk Freddie, noticing how Gina didn't need to look at the prompter for her lyrics. "Kaya nakakapag-face to face sila. I really appreciate that, na alam yung lyrics, alam yung pinag-uusapan, alam yung ginagawa." He told the actress, "Ikaw siguro ang pinakamalaking revelation para sa akin buong season. Grabe."
Perfume line owner Joel Cruz veered away from his usual simple numbers the past weeks, as he appeared this week dressed as girl and styled in a baby pink ensemble, which the fans gleefully welcomed with loud cheers. His duet partner, stand-up comedian Kim Idol, as well as back-up dancers all wore similar pink dresses, and grooved with Joel to the ‘70s hit, "We Are Family." Before his number, his co-contenders echoed how Joel loves to win in this competition so much, and that he is "always prim and proper."
It seemed that Joel's gimmick for this week won the judges' seal of approval. "Nung natanggal si Maxie Cinco last week, nalungkot kami. Sabi namin, wala, boring na," judge Danny Tan recalled. "Pero may pumalit na," he continued, as Joel laughed onstage. "Ako personally nag-enjoy ako," he said. "Yan ang matagal ko nang hinahanap na Joel kasi dati puro serious... naka-suit lagi. Yan ang production value na hinahanap ko for you, kasi that's the mark of a true performer. Na para kang chameleon, you can change [and] adapt. For me, performance-wise, this is your best. Relaxed, nag-enjoy ka," he told the entrepreneur.
The final performance that night came from actor and concert producer Jomari Yllana. He went for a simple number this week, dressed in a black suit. For his performance, he sang Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" with Mojofly frontwoman and Eat Bulaga host Lougee, who was garbed in a black and white balloon dress and a matching headband. While waiting for the director's call, the singing partners stood on the stage, as they were cheered on by their fans.
Before the number, Gina revealed that Jomari is often "tahimik pero malalim [ang] tinatakbo" while Joel Cruz described him as a great actor.
Judge
Tessa always has praises for Jomari. "Like I said in the very beginning, you
have the strongest voice quality," she told the actor, after the duet.
"Talagang I could see you in the finals. Ang galing-galing mo. You are really
oozing with charm and personality." The Sea Princess also recalled how Jomari
wasn't as strong as a performer before, "but now [he's] just cruising along."
She told the actor, "I'll see you in the finals. You are just wonderful."
THE SONGWRITER AND THE SONGBIRD. Off-camera, Celebrity Duets 3 hosts Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez happily joked with the audience. With Ogie in a suit and Regine in a mermaid-type black and silver dress, the real-life couple showed a quirky side to them, while they entertained the crowd with their spontaneous wisecracks.
As they
awaited the envelope revealing the eliminated contestant, Regine and Ogie
calmed the tense atmosphere and joked around with the chinky-eyed
representative from the accounting firm, who stood with them onstage. The
Songbird called the representative a Korean, which Ogie believed in an instant.
In truth, the girl wasn't really a Korean, and as soon as Ogie found out, he
told Regine, "Alam mo naman, lahat ng sinsasabi mo, pinaniniwalaan ko." To
this, the audience laughed heartily.
GOODBYE, NONITO. By the end of the night, Nonito had to leave the competition, after he was placed in the Bottom Group along with Gina and Niccolo.
Despite the sad news, Nonito was still smiling onstage. "I had such a great time, he told the audience. "Maraming salamat po sa oportunidad na binigay niyo sa akin to live my childhood dream, to be performing in front of everybody. Sa mga kaibigan ko, thank you so much, I've bonded with all of you. Judges, thank you for all the judging and for helping me to be better. Thank you much."
PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) had the chance to chat with Nonito after the show.
According to the champion boxer, what he would miss most in Celebrity Duets 3 are the friendships he has made and the company of his fellow contenders. When asked to name the person that he is closest to, Nonito answered, "Niccolo," but he was quick to point out that he has grown close to all of them.
What are his plans now that he is out of the competition?
"Back to training," he replied. His wife Rachel, who was flanking Nonito, interrupted the boxer, saying that they are planning to go on a vacation. PEP asked the couple where they plan to go but Nonito answered with a smile, "I'll surprise her na lang."
Who will get to take home the one million peso cash prize? And who will leave after Nonito? Find out next week on Celebrity Duets 3, airing every Saturday on GMA-7 right after Pinoy Records.