why are pinoys cheering this girl… because her parents are pinay?? she doesnt even have the slightest bit pinoy in her aside from her looks. Never been to the phils, cant speak tagalog, and yet you go gaga cheering for this “pinay.” ill bet if you ask her something about the phils she wont have the slightest clue. how silly and desperate for a connection is that??

I definitely think Ramiele has what it takes to be the next American Idol. I do hope viewers will transcend the racial divide and recognize her based on her talent and ability to captivate the crowd.

Go Ramiele!

I think she can do. I saw her through the You Tube posted by the Koreans. She’s great.

i hope the pinoy change their carb mentality and help malubay to win.

i hope the pinoy crab mentality change and help malubay to win

I’m a pilipino myself but don’t judge an individual’s achievements thru his/her color but judge thru his/her talents and capability. I will support anyone if I think she/he deserves it not because if he/she’s a filipino or not.

i am following up AI and i can say ramiele has the package - vocal, personality/looks and the charisma. as simon said last week she is one of the top 3 contestants in the competition only she must have to choose the right songs for her. For me ramiel’s performamce last week is excellent but for simon is not the perfect choice of song. yes, I agree that the thing for her to get the coveted title AI is to be able to penetrate the combined support of the american viewing public. The Filipino-Asian-Americans is already intact and we hope to get the vote of the mainstream americans. Ramiele is a beautiful, refined, talented and intelligent young lady and she is proud of being a Filipino as she spoke in Tagalog during the interview before she went on stage last february 28. Unsolicited advise: ramiele should look into her hairstyle in every performance (she sports the same style for the past 2 performances). She looks pretty, lovely and with style except for the sleeveless shirt she used during the elimination (February 29) - labcu of washington, DC

Mr. Nepales,

There has been questions regarding the current frontman of Journey, Arnel Pineda. The question: How come he is not getting any publicity from the press and/or media?

First brown idol?racist!

It would be a great source of pride and honor for the Pinoys around the world and the Asians, in general, if Ramiele becomes the 1st ‘brown’ idol on AI. It’s about time for the world to know how musically-gifted Filipinos are. Go Ramiele!

That is what we are also hoping for as a Filipino here in the UK. Everyone is watching AI here on Friday evening (although many of us already using the Internet to watch the performance on our computers!) and we wish Ramiele all the best. She is proud to be Fil-Am and that makes her appeal to people.

Good luck to her. Good luck to all of us.

i’ve been following the semi-final performances and i think ramiele - if she survives week 3 and gets to the finals - can do well in the show.
she just needs to up her performance level a little and show off her vocal range more.
i observed last week that she tend to sing karaoke-like, it was like she’s looking at a screen of words. she seemed unsure of herself unlike her first performance (You Don’t Have to Say you Love me).
she has yet to connect emotionally and tend to be technical. she has the voice, but has yet to show that X-factor.
her aces still is her voice, her personality (she is clearly R&B material) and of course support of Pinoys and Asian-Americans.

SO NOW WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS SCANDAL PHOTO ISSUE ABOUT HER?

MORE SEXY PHOTOS FROM “IDOL” RAMIELE MALUBAYMarch 03, 2008

CelebTV.com has unearthed more risque photographs of “American Idol” finalist Ramiele Malubay.

Last week CelebTV.com uncovered racy photos of Malubay, 20, goofing around with some girlfriends on a fan Facebook page.

Newly discovered photos show the singer is similar poses with what appears to be coworkers. Yahoo TV reports that Malubay was a hostess at a local sushi restaurant in her hometown of Miramar, Fla.

Malubay told the Filipino publication Pinoy Business she doesn’t want to be famous but does want to represent the Asian community well in a competition where the whole world is watching.

Ramiele took a break from nursing school to compete on Idol and vows to go back to school if she’s not chosen for the top spot on the TV show, Pinoy Business reports.

Malubay is one of the “sweet 16″ remaining on the seventh season of American Idol.

I’ve seen her on tv only once when she sang an 80’s song. She’s got great voice but her performance wasn’t idolic though. I’ve seen much much better performers among the guys in this season.

i hope that she would really make it to the finals, but i’m a bit nervous about her last night’s performance. the judges we’re not really impressed. i hope that she would be more careful in choosing song, she sang ‘against all odds’ but she did not do much justice to it. i wish her luck though. still keeping my fingers cross

I know fully you truly support Ramiele in her quest for becoming the first Filipino America idol ever. But as far as I am concerned, her performance last night, objectively speaking, was not as good as I had hoped for. She could have chosen a right song that would perk up both the judges and the audience, a song that could exhibit her strong and golden voice despite being tiny in stature. If she gets eliminated tonight, then I do not have regrets, but if given a chance to perform next week, she has to make sure she picks the appropriate song.

Supporting a person in a competition just because he/she belongs to the same race is a form of racism (that’s why I think Olympics promotes racism).

We pinoys, always say we hate discrimination but by voting Ramiele just because she’s a fellow pinoy is also promoting racism..

Let Ramiele win through her own merits and not just because the Filipino communities are supporting her as they wanted to see a pinay to be an American Idol.

I dont think Malubay will make it because there are other contestants who sing better than her.

She’ll probably make it if she’s really that good. So far, I think she’s being inconsistent — the first week, she was very good; the second week, she’s okay; but her performance this time around — I would have to agree with Simon Cowell — is kinda tentative and old-fashioned. But one thing that’s going for her is that she’s charismatic and she’s very pretty. She also comes off as intelligent and not-your-bratty type of girl. Assuming she survives this week, she’s well on her way to becoming the first Asian American Idol. Good luck to her!

let’s support our very own kababayan RAMIELE MALUBAY….

I dont think so…. its not about race, but its about talent. Malubay performance is just so, so. You cant watch it over and over again, it didnt leave a mark. Im a Pinoy, but I vote for the best…

I think that the “race” card is not a very big issue in American Idol. That statement however (or the opposite) will be almost impossible to verify as voters’ race or ethnic origin is tabulated.

It’s good conversation topic though…

congratulations to ramiele for making it again to the top twelve . way to go girl! you are making the filipinos proud even though you are already an american citizen.

Right now, mainstream Americans who voted for Ramiele are really annoyed with all the “pinoy” postings on the forums. As one american voter for Ramiele said, this pinoy thing is really turning them off and they will not vote for Ramiele anymore if it doesn’t stop. I suggest that you go to the Ramiele’s American Idol threads and find out for yourself.

I always vote for R Malubay
about 30 times each vote day

We will continue to vote for her because of her ability to sing not because of being a kabayan. She may belonged to our ethnic group but all americans for that matter belonged to a particular ethnicity. Once they are here, they compete based on their abilities, that’s America everyone should be treated equal. Based on ability, the favorite at this time is Mr. Archuleta.

Race notwithstanding, it’s hard to believe such a wonderful voice is coming from such a tiny person. She IS the American Idol in my book!

AI is just giving you guys false hopes. Believe me, Simon Cowell’s prejudiced shows the way he talked.

First Asian Americal Idol finalist maybe but not top 2. Shes cute and she got talent but america is not ready for asian americal idol. The majority of the vote later still priorioty with the american only.

But most filipino keeps dreaming… lets put that way.

american idol is a talent contest with it’s own set of criterions. regardless of race or creed the winner will be based on each and every contestants ability to adhere to the criterion. of course, it is needless to say that american idol is not only a TV talent search but a business in itself. it is designed to appeal to a lot of people in an international scale. the outcome of this talent search is also partly based on text votes in the US, the question is, just how much is the american viewers of american idol is willing to spend on text votes on ramiele malubay. although, malubay has identified herself as asian american, it will be her inherent talent that will put her on top of the list. the selection of the right song and the right rendition of it will dictate what happens to malubay.

i will vote for her not because she is filipino-american but because she is a filipino who happens to be a good singer.

i am a follower of “american idol” since i found it in cable tv.naturally, our family always root for the filipinos who made it. this year, our cheers go to ramiele malubay. since we cannot vote, our prayers is for her to make it. we always wait the “live” kuno telecast.and watch their performances. i say again - go! go! go! ramiele!!! may GOD be with you in every performance.

I certainly doubt that she’ll even make it to the top! She has the over-acting crying routine after every result announcement which is quite annoying!

Actually to be honest, I do not think that Ramiele will make it as a Pinoy Idol. Well, don’t get me wrong. I really want to see a pinoy rising up as an American Idol. But talent wise, I don’t even think that she has got something special to offer to the viewing public. If you notice, Simon’s favorite is inclined towards Amanda
( hope I got the name correctly). But like I said before, let’s see what will happen this week. There are some twists and turns in the end. And as they say, ..it aint over until it’s over.

I think she has the guts!

let’s support Ramiele Malubay to become the 1st Asian-American Idol.

Bring home the bacon, Ramiele!!!

yes, all filipinos all over the world should support Ramiele Malubay….go Ramiele!

Ramiele Malubay is very likeable and she’s a very good singer. She’s different from all the other contestants from the other season and this, I think is what makes people interested in her. So I think she’s got a very good chance in American Idol.

Ithink Ramiele, provided she wisely chooses the right songs for her range, has the chance to make to the top. She should consider choosing from the songs that both Regine or Lani Misalucha’s repertoire…or as we say “birit” renditions!

She has a great singing voice, and is quite telegenic.

I only suggest that she should move a bit and not be too “shy” that comes as lacking in self confidence.

We really should support her….(I vote for her many times) she will make a difference if she wins.

Thank you.

Ramiele was very good at the beginning with the song “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me”. She got very good reviews from the 3 judges. It’s been a downhill after that: her choice of songs has been bad, her fashion is baduy at most and even the judges have not been giving anymore impressive remarks. On today’s show (Top 12, Beatles songs night), she is awful. Even the judges were not impressed. I hope she will not be eliminated by next week. If she is not, a professional tutor should come to her rescue. I would support her but my goodness, she has to do something to make a real, lasting impression. she is becoming a weak link.

Can someone tell Ramiele to sing songs that was sang by the likes of Regine Velasquez in ssome International Singing Competition? She should be daring at this point..

I do believe Remiele Malubay has what it takes to become the next ‘American Idol’. Just do your best, Man! You need to bring out that powerful voice you have. I know Malubay has the talent and charisma. Your on it, so dig it!

I agree that Ramiele has what it takes. I loved Jasmine Trias to bits and actually cried when she was voted out. But although Jasmine’s voice had a lovely tone and quality, Ramiele has a higher, and more powerful range.

The problem with Ramiele is that she seems to be holding back. I want to hurt myself when she does this because the quality of her voice is much better than the other contestants this year. Let’s be honest, they all sound the same.

I really hope she will get all the support from Filipinos and Asians in the US. But I’m not holding my breath because Jasmine had the overwhelming support of the whole state of Hawaii and she was supposedly voted out. Randy and Simon practically told people Jasmine wasn’t wanted on the night the top 3 sang. They had their heart set on Fantasia, probably because Fantasia’s life was more dramatic. Fantasia’s voice sounded like a cartoon character to me. Well she’s not exactly selling millions of albums, is she now?

Anywho, I just plan to enjoy Ramiele’s presence as long as I can. I hope she sings her arteries out, because she can, despite the fact she knows her chances are slim.

I think this year, the powers that be on Idol have their heart set on David “gasp” Archuleta, a winner on Star Search, and a total drama queen.

Maraming Salamat

Malamang sibak na siya mamayang gabi.
Kung hindi ngayong gabi, malamang sa susunod na linggo. Kung hindi man masibak sa susunod na linggo, di aabot ng top 8. Parang si Jasmine Trias, one night wonder. Kung si Jasmine ay magaling lang sa “Inseperable”, si Ramielle naman ay sa “Believe me”.

Hindi! Kung hindi titigilan na nya ang pagpapa cute kay Ryan, she’s loosing her concentration. Pinoy power lang ang nagpapa stay sa kanya. Other races loves her voice too, kaya wala lang hatak yung song choices. Give some feeling naman, halatang memorize lang.

That’s true! But still, I wish that she’ll win. She has the looks and the voice. Hope our ‘kababayans’ there in the US will really vote for her.

i think ramiele has a solid chance. but as the judges keep repeating over and over ad infinitum, song selection is a big factor to earn their nod and thus influence the voting public. someone has to advice ramiele to come up with songs that really showcase her belting prowess. songs that allow her to power her voice to new heights, so to speak. she must not leave anything to chance. every week, she must lay it all out.

congratulations to ramiele malubay , although the judges agreed that her performance last tuesday - march 11,2008 - was simply boring and as in the words of simon cowell ‘ unforgetable!’ still she did it again to the top 11. it was david hernandez who was voted off. but ramiele still has a lot things to do to prove her worth to stay.

FYI, jasmine had the support of the whole state of Hawaii. Every week after the show, local morning radio talk shows released figures from the local telco on how many calls were made to vote. The figure was in millions and was increasing every week. I think Jasmine had the support of Hawaii because of the spirit of “ohana”.

ramiele give more to your performance see what happen to you you’re on the bottom 3 this week. your first performance was great the 2 succedding one were not and the choice of song is not good. you have more to offer but you are holding them back. your last 2 performances is restrained, ackward and lack of life. make a difference belter and rock the stage RAMIELE!

Regarding Philippine-side votes, there is quite a number of Vonage, Skype and other VOIP service subcribers based in the PI. Technically, they can vote since their telephone numbers are US numbers. However, they need to be told what the local time of the voting starts since they get their Idol programs a few days later.

I really like Ramielle. She’s got a big voice but poor song choices are killing her. Ramielle can really belt it out. She has to make song choices that would realy showcase what her voice can do. And she has to feel the song!! She has to put alot of emotions into it. Many people compare her to Jasmine Trias. And Jasmine really sings with allot of emotion. Ramielle is more like a robot. Hmm.. I don’t know… This season’s American Idol has a lot of talent in it David Cook,Carly Smithson,Brook White,Jason Castro and David Archulleta are my other favorites.
I still hope Ramielle would be able to get that perfect song and performance. She still has time but she needs to start now if she wants to keep on going..Let’s Go Pinoy!!

Ramiele has a good voice, but not unless she picks up the pace, she may be booted off sooner than later, and she won’t be the winner. She has not win the approval of the most strongest judge yet in her two consecutive performances. Majority of voters listen to what Simon says most of the time. If she wants to win this, she needs to have a strategy to stand out with each performance each week, as there are about 4 people more talented than she is. She needs a killer performance each week to top her performance from the following week. The first few weeks could be based on popularity votes, but not in the long haul of the show. Right now, she’s not that far from being at the bottom based on performance and talent. Her only way is to outshine the best talents, such as Carly, Brooke, David Cook and; David Archuleta, though he messed up with his song this week, he has the biggest supporters among them at this time. Ramielle has to really work overtime to win this. And I really hope she would step up to the plate, not only to win the Filipino/Asians votes, but the majority of Americans who watch and vote also. I truly believe she has a better voice than Jasmine for that matter, but she got to prove herself and amaze all three judges with her performances most of the time, if not all the time, to win this.

i really hope that Ramiele Malubay will be the first “brown” idol!

Ramielle Malubay is a very good singer but she is certainly not the best among the current American Idol top 11. I hope Filipinos will vote for the best contestant and not to Malubay simply because of her race. It will be equivalent to reverse racism.

Truly indeed na magagaling ang pilipino sa singing competition,pero nungka na magkaron ng asian american idol.hindi yan basta basta bibigay ng mga kano.Di naman sila tulad ng mga british.

I don’t think she will make it to the top 5. She has a really nice voice but if her choice of songs will remain too easy, too soft she will be lucky to stay in 3-4 more weeks.

i totally agree. as one nation and people let us support our kababayan in the american idol search. MABUHAY ANG LAHING PILIPINO.

dream on. it is as if this girl has the talent. magaling syang kumanta, pero nothing special about her singing. she always sing predictably and not much versatility. lahat yata ng kanta eh gusto nyang gawing soul R&B.

our propensity to make this a pinoy case makes us racist. ramiele can sing, but what’s pinoy in her singing?

let us stop this pinoy this and pinoy that. nakakasuka na at wala naman tayong binatbat.

o tyak maraming aangal sa post ko earlier.

brothers forever! peace!

-rey

I have been following the live American Idol telecasts here in Sydney (I’m a big fan of the show) and have also been observing Ramiele’s performances closely. She needs to lift her game and showcase her vocal prowess with the right song choices and versatility! While the judges recognise she has a great vocal range, she seems to be making the wrong choices in songs, and her style is way too old-fashioned. Plus the fact that she always plays safe and doesn’t take risks. The competition is not just about having the voice (everyone has got to have very good vocals to make it to the finals) - it’s more about the overall performance and showmanship! In saying that, I want to say that I want Ramiele to win, but she needs to really ‘wow’ America by taking some risks (ie, varying her styles and putting her own mark to the songs) and most importantly singing the songs that will show everyone her impressive vocals! Otherwise, she will not stand out from the other hopefuls and will miss out.

-Pinoy in Sydney, Australia

Ramiele has a wonderful voice with a world-class quality, but her choice of songs so far does not give justice to it. I am rooting for her so much and I hope she exudes the confidence of a potential ‘idol’ on and off the stage.

She’ll never win considering that she’s an Asian… She can sing yes but compared to the American quality and style of singing, I don’t think she stand a chance at all.

Why do you think Jasmin didn’t win? The “IT” factor is missing. She didn’t even come close to the stage presence of Fantasia etc. etc.

If Malubay wins the title or any other idol for that matter through landslide vote then it’s not something you can be proud of.

Just an opinion of course.

American Idol is mainly about talent in singing. Ramiele has a very narrow range of voice. She couldn’t hit very high notes like other singers do. She has very rich yet low pitch of voice. An American Idol should be able to establish voice flexibilities and as far as I have observed, SHE CANNOT. If the notes get higher, she starts to shout it instead. So maybe we should focus on AMERICAN IDOL competition as a jumping off board for talented singers rather than injecting race issues on that. Let’s all be objective.

Sorry, she’s not as good as the others.
Sure she has a good voice, she’s cute but doesn’t have the star quality. Plus, her hair & and outfits are very distracting.

Ramiele won’t get teachers’ votes

by santoro from his blog, filipinoteachersintheus.freeblogit.com

Malubay in Tagalog means weak or loose. In no way is Ramiele’s singing prowess weak though she exudes the shy and unsure Filipina which is reminiscent of many teachers teaching in the US for the first time. They are first shy, testing the waters, but when they get the hang of it, they blossom into becoming teachers of the year and priceless assets of a school district.
As much as the Filipino teachers in the US (FilTitus) I know would like to vote for Ramiele , they could not. They were posted by their agency in the Philippines in the far-flung areas of Southern America where there is no AT&T signal (to text-vote American Idol), no DSL, no public transportation, and no hope, many times. One more reason they could not vote for Ramiele is, they don’t have enough money, and here’s why.

Unlike Maryland or California where many Filipino teachers are deployed, South Carolina or at least Orangeburg School District Three has a different policy when it comes to hiring (Filipino) teachers. They contract only certified teachers and initially assign recruited uncertified teachers as long-term substitutes with a measly 24 thousand dollars a year salary despite their 20 years of teaching experience and a PhD.

In a recent dialog with the school district, the superintendent told the teachers that he had earlier informed the US arm of the teacher’s local placement agency that such was their policy. Back in the Philippines, the teachers were promised and shown a salary schedule which stated 40 to 50 thousand dollars annual salary or more for those with doctoral degree. They were not told however, that they needed to take three licensure examinations and would be given 1600 to 2000 dollars monthly salary pending their certification.

With a promise of a brighter future, the teachers left their teaching and administrative positions at UST, St. Joseph’s College, the University of Pangasinan and various public and private schools, tutorial and therapy centers.

With 5000 dollars initially collected for visa processing, the teachers had to borrow money at 3.5 to 10 percent monthly interest or shell out their own savings. After their visa was approved by the US Embassy Manila, they were collected another 8 to 10,000 dollars placement fee. Many of these teachers sourced it from financing agencies in Tektite Towers.

Now their loans are maturing and they have to pay 1,000 to 2000 dollars per month in loan amortization, send their children to school, feed them, and survive from what is left of their salary.

No, they could not afford cable TV and may not even know Ramiele Malubay. Those who can check the site on the web, no matter how slow dial-up is, may have an idea of who she is. Some of them bought AT&T celphone but their mobile house or trailer is just too remote to be reached by the provider’s satellite.

Ramiele, you’re not getting your much-needed votes from this side of America.

raniele Malubay deserves to be supported by every Filipino. She has a beautiful voice. She sings very well.

She has to be adviced though to be more conservative in her dressing style. Also songs has to be choosen with care. Songs has to be savvy & lively.

I pray she wins & become the 1st
american-Asian Idol

ramiele needs to exude a little bit more stage presence.

on another note, there’s a filipino (dale) in the newest season of ‘top chef’. i’m curious to know what’s your comment on him.

Ramiele Malubay as the new American Idol?
Not if Fox Network can help it. Fox which telecast American idol is specifically a staunch white conservative station,even though they produced 3 white, 2 blacks and one semi black winners, they still has some strong reservation about making non white a winner in any of their contest. Here’s a reality check; Jasmine Trias was allowed to remain the the top 3 not because of her “talent”, but because she being there, while most noted and more talented contestant was let go. provided drama She was a pawn to Idols TV rating greed machine. By staying there and being hated heatedly by the insane- voracious- attention deficit American viewers. they don’t care if Jasmine gets death threat or stalkers from American racist insane viewers. She was their sacrificial lamb. This is the only show Fox can hawk supremacy in the rating chart over other network and by golly they will keep it that way. Fox is a corrupt greedy station owned by Rupert Murdoch a conservative Republican . They played and preyed on human emotion without conscience to stay ahead of that game.

I wish as Filipino or Fil-AM, we can honestly vote for the deserving candidate regardless of ethnicity.

Yes, she got that very good voice but she needs to look for a very good song material that fits her voice. Not just ordinary songs. It should be the same songs that she sang in the preliminary stage of American Idol. Or consult an expert like Ryan Cayabyab or Louie Ocampo and the likes,

I don’t think she’ll make it. Though she has the vocal chops, she keeps choosing boring songs. Her upbeat rendtions are also boring. I don’t think she’ll win it by singing ballads all through out. David Archuleta or Carly Smithson will probably win it.

Getting the supports for Ramiele Malubay in her dream to be an “american Idol” is not impossible. American voters who keep watching the contest are voting for contestants who are exeptionally talented and who can truly represent the soul of American music. If Ramiele will continue to show her best, i believe she will make it to the finals even without the full support of the Pinoys back home. American voters alone can help her reach her dream.

Hi Ruben,

Truly, this “little girl”, Ramiele Malubay is indeed a “Brown Star” to the making! I think the judges & the lovely people of USA will not regret to make her a new American Idol this 2008. She really CAN deliver all. She is multi-talented with a very special voice. Something in her seems so special. I hope & pray that she will win. She truly deserves it! If you read this Ramiele, really go for your best & be a lovely-charactered little-sweet lady always. GOD bless you! Pls., everybody vote for Ramiele Malubay to win the American Idol 2008. From UK, with love & prayer.

Well she has to perform better than her last 2 appearances…

James.>>I think you need to visit the opthalmologist and check on your eyesight.
Ramiele is very much a pinay and has the talent to be the next American Idol

have not heard the woman sing, don’t watch the show, but read headlines. I am disturbed by Cowell’s statement likening her singing to something you would hear on a “cruise ship”.

Of course, we all know that this guy has made a living by being a professional asshole, but the cruise ship statement belies his very typical British racism. Given that cruise ship performers are more often than not Filipino.

I feel bad for us, as we really cannot appreciate how deep the colonialism/racism truly hits because we are only aware of it superficially.