Pinoy Idol Upsets

Upsets trouble Pinoy Idol
Kaye Villagomez

By next week, "Pinoy Idol" contestants will be trimmed down to the final 12.

But the recent contestants booted out of the running have been dependable, talented ones. Take the cases of Walton Zerrudo, 25, from Laguna and Meryl David, 23, from Bicol, who bowed out last Sunday in another unexpected voting turnout.

Either judges may have failed to sway voters in favor of the good performers or the voting public is simply too relaxed to bet on their favorites, but it’s evident that less talented hopefuls entered the next round happening tomorrow, Friday and on Saturday.

Judges Ogie Alcasid and Jolina Magdangal both shared the sentiment that they were unhappy with the result of last Sunday’s elimination show.

Ogie told host Raymond Gutierrez when the latter asked the judges if they were okay with the result, "No, I am not happy [because] the two of you [turning to Zerrudo and David] would have added more to this competition [and] would have made it more exciting with your talent. But the people have spoken, so be it. The two of you did not lose. You have so much talent."

Jolina echoed Ogie’s observation: "Hindi talaga ako happy e, kasi nakita ko yung galing nila nitong week na ‘to. Para sa akin, hindi dapat kayo nakatayo diyan. Pero siyempre, sila pa rin ang nagde-decide. Ganun talaga."

As expected Wyngard Tracy kept it all about business stressing that upsets will always happen because there will only be one "Pinoy Idol" in the end. He addressed his co-judges, "Malungkot kayo, ganon? Ako, hindi." Turning to the contestants, he then said, "Again, I will always mention this and you will have to remember this: Ilan pa ang matatanggal this coming weeks. Isa lang ang matitira. Talagang ganyan ang competition. Isa lang talaga ang Pinoy Idol na pipiliin."

However, one comment was absent from Wyngard’s fiery mouth last Sunday, he did not say he expected Zerrudo and David to leave the contest as opposed to past results when he would coldly and specifically announced he expected the verdict. Instead, Wyngard even credited the eliminated contestants telling them, "The two of you performed very well [in this round] and that’s enough consolation. Malungkot pero ganon talaga. You have to respect the decision of the viewers."

With the recent exits, 14 semi-finalists will continue to battle each other out. They are Warren Antig, Kid Camaya, Daryl Celis, JJ Jr., Robby Navarro, Ram Chaves, Toffer Rei, Penelope, Gretchen Espina, Carol Leus, Jayann Bautista, Sue Ellen, Jeni Rawolle, and Mae Flores.

The next round of GMA7’s "Pinoy Idol" performances air this Friday and Saturday with the results revealing the final 12 on Sunday.