X Factor Philippines Top 20 Contestants Revealed

After a grueling elimination and selection process, the Top 20 finalists of the "The X Factor Philippines" have been chosen from the 172 auditionees who made it to the "Bootcamp."

"X Factor Philippines" Finalists (L-R) Christine Ledesma, Michael Pangilinan, and KZ Tandingan

The names of the Top 20 contestants were revealed on the July 22, 2012 episode of the reality singing competition. They are as follows:

BOYS Kedebon Colim, 18, Cebu Jeric Medina, 21, Paranaque City Gabriel Maturan, 19, Dapitan City Anton Paolo Antenorcruz, 19, Novaliches Michael Pangilinan, 16, Cubao	OVER 25s Mark Mabasa, 26, Las Pinas City Modesto Taran, 55, Cagayan de Oro City Paulo Castro, 27, Makati City Cristine Ledesma, 27, Paranaque City Joan Da, 26, San Pablo City
GIRLS Ma. Angelica Prado, 24, Bacolod City Jerriane Mae Templo, 21, Mandaluyong City Allen Jane Sta. Maria, 17, Cabanatuan City KZ Tandingan, 20, Digos, Davao del Sur Abigail Mendoza 23, Laguna	GROUPS Sweet Bliss, 18-2, Cebu & Dumaguete 5th Avids, 18-20, Manila Daddy's Home, 31-39, QC & Makati Takeoff, 23-26, Manila Lucky Girls, Manila & Cebu

Next week, the Top 20 acts will know who among the four judges will be mentoring them in the competition - each judge will mentor a category. Their visit to the residence of their mentor will also be shown on the next episode. From 20, they will also be trimmed down to 12, 3 in each category.

Difference from "The X Factor USA" format:

----Instead of Over 25s, the first season of "The X Factor US" had Over 30s category
----The judges picked 32 acts at the Bootcamp in the US franchise. The Top 5 contestants in each category were selected during the "Judges' Homes" round with the help of a celebrity guest judge.

Who among the finalists is your favorite so far? FULL STORY...

Eat Bulaga Indonesia Premieres July 16

Eat Bulaga Indonesia

"Eat Bulaga," the Philippines' longest running noontime variety show, will have its first overseas version in Indonesia.

Starting this Monday, July 16, 2012, "Eat Bulaga Indonesia" will air live on SCTV network at 4 pm.

The Indonesian TV station describes its new show as "definitely fun and contains a lot of funny games that are positive, touching, and surely exciting."

The variety show will be hosted by Uya Kuya, Nardji, Reza Bukan, and Farid Aja and will have indoor and outdoor segments.

"Eat Bulaga Indonesia's" segments include Bolagaan, Karaoke Stud, Indonesia Genius and One For All, All For One, which are adaptations of the original Philippine version. FULL STORY...

American Idol hopeful sings Charice's 'In This Song'

American Idol hopeful Jessica Whitely | Youtube screencap

The 11th season of the top-rating U.S. talent search "American Idol" premiered today with auditions in Savannah, Georgia. As in every audition venues, the Savannah auditions were jam-packed with hopefuls wanting to jump start their music careers through the highly watched show.

One particular auditionee somehow got Noypi viewers' attention after saying she's going to sing "In This Song" by our very own Charice.

Jessica Whitely, 19, said she has sung the U.S. national anthem at football games and other similar events. So it must be a good indicator that she's going to nail the Charice piece right? Wrong.

Jessica's audition was loud and aggressive and was bad enough for judge Randy Jackson to call it "awful."

Jessica vowed to come back for the Texas auditions but judge Jennifer Lopez commented someone should advise her not to make the drive.

Check out Jessica's version of "In This Song" below:

FULL STORY...

Angel Locsin to play 'Darna' on ABS-CBN?

Angel Locsin as Darna on ABS-CBN?

Angel Locsin is said to be playing once again the role of the Noypi female superhero Darna which would have to be one of the memorable characters Angel ever portrayed. But this time it will be on the Kapamilya network.

According to reports, ABS-CBN has finally acquired the rights to do a remake of "Darna" and Angel Locsin is again the one slated to do the role of the superhero.

"Darna" was remade by the GMA-7 a couple of times, with Angel Locsin taking the lead role in 2005 and Marian Rivera in 2009. The news about ABS-CBN doing the show said to have made the rival network dismayed especially that another popular show on their network "Dyesebel" was also purchased by the Kapamilya.

Yes, "Darna" and "Dyesebel" reportedly will be on ABS-CBN soon!

Do you think Angel Locsin should take the Darna role once again? And who do you have in mind the best to play Dyesebel? Feel free to comment below. FULL STORY...

Watch Pretty Little Liars Season 2 on ETC

Pretty Little Liars Season 2 will finally be premiering this June 14, 2011 in the US. You can watch it in the Philippines as well since local channel ETC is going to have a 'match-airing' of its episodes every Friday at 8pm.

Pretty Little Liars Season 2 on ETC

To all fans out there, how did you handle the "separation anxiety" after the Pretty Little Liars Season 1 ended months ago? It must be hard, right? Which character did you miss most? And how excited are you to finally watch the Pretty Little Liars Season 2?

And to those who have not seen it, here's a little info about the show:

Pretty Little Liars is based on the best-selling book series by Sara Shepard, which tells the story of four friends who start to receive messages from someone named “A” who knows their deepest darkest secrets. The series stars Lucy Hale as Aria, Troian Bellisario as Spencer, Ashley Benson as Hanna and Filipino-Canadian Shay Mitchell as Emily. FULL STORY...

'100 Days to Heaven' Full Trailer released | '100 Days to Heaven' Cast

The creators of the phenomenal TV hit "May Bukas Pa" are now back with a new primetime offering which will be aired on the Kapamilya network, ABS-CBN.


100 Days to Heaven, the title of the new soap, promises to captivate the hearts of the Filipino viewers with its story about chances and forgiveness. It has a star-studded cast headed by the veteran actress Connie Reyes and talented child actress Xyriel Manabat.

100 Days to Heaven cast also includes Jodi Sta. Maria, Dominic Ochoa, Rafael Rosell, Valerie Concepcion, Smokey Manaloto, Neil Coleta and Louis Abuel. The following celebrities are also taking a special participation in the new series: Shaina Magdayao, Pokwang, Vice Ganda, Sam Milby, Empress, Jason Abalos, Xian Lim, Mark Gil, Felix Roco, Noel Trinidad and Ms. Gloria Romero

Directed by Malu Sevilla, 100 Days to Heaven is set to air weeknights on ABS-CBN primetime soon.

Released last night, check out the full trailer of 100 Days to Heaven below:

FULL STORY...