By Abigail Kwok
INQUIRER.net
WHATEVER happened to first-ever “Philippine Idol” winner Mau Marcelo?
After ABC 5 aired the pilot series of “Philippine Idol” last year, everyone thought that it would be just like “American Idol,” with winners becoming instant celebrities: instant access to elusive fame, so to speak.
So during the show’s finale, everyone held their breath and crossed their fingers as the 27-year-old Marcelo belted her way through three songs she was required to sing. It was her third song choice — Whitney Houston’s “Try It on My Own” — that won her the coveted crown, besting two male contenders, Gian Magdangal and Jan Nieto.
When Marcelo was declared champion, everyone watched as she cried ala Miss Universe and, in between tears, sang her winning piece. After that fateful night at the Araneta Coliseum, everyone had high hopes for her. But days, weeks, and months passed, nothing was heard from the “Soul Idol” or “Black Belter.”
It was just this year that Marcelo finally released her first album under Sony BMG titled “On My Own.” She recently released her first single, “I Shine for You.”
Sadly, since ABC 5 is not as popular as networks ABS-CBN and GMA 7, Marcelo wasn’t given full exposure. She appeared, though, in some shows from these top networks, so she gained a little bit of career boost. But other than that, Marcelo was lying low. This is a surprise since Idol runner-up Magdangal was able to land a regular stint in GMA 7’s SOP. Talk about a major ego slump, right?
But Marcelo finally got a chance to “shine for us” once again as she heads to Indonesia for the “Asian Idol” competition this month. Marcelo will compete against other “Idol” winners from Asia, including “Malaysian Idol,” “Indonesian Idol,” and “Singapore Idol,” among others. But since “Asian Idol” will be aired by ABC 5 here, the question of exposure then comes to mind. Because, the truth hurts; since ABC 5 is not as high-profile as the other networks, Marcelo might not get the fan support she badly needs. But the Philippines is the texting capital of the world, so it will be a cinch for Marcelo to win, right? Let’s cross our fingers again, shall we?
The 2nd season of “Philippine Idol” may be more promising, especially since GMA 7 will now be airing it. After beating ABC 5, GMA 7 will finally air the show, giving Idol that much-needed publicity boost.
Admittedly, though, the Philippine music scene is distinctly different from the American music scene. Great artists here are so rare. Most of the artists coming out offer nothing but played-out (or gasgas in Filipino) versions of old, popular songs. Remixes are what mostly define the Philippine music industry. That’s why I really look up to singers and bands like Yeng Constantino and Bamboo. Not only do they have great voices but they also have the songwriting or composing skills — something which is a rarity these days.
But my standards are utterly high, I know. It’s unfair to compare our local artists with international ones. Ours have a distinct sound quality that is also great. We are fans novelty songs like “Papaya,” “Itaktak Mo,” and “Boom Tarat.” We patronize dance albums “made” by John Pratts, Edu Manzano, and Mark Herras. Other people may laugh at us, but this just explains why Filipinos are the 2nd happiest people in Asia. We appreciate seemingly mundane things in order to forget our life problems. Meanwhile, in America, we hear loads of hard rock, heavy metal, emo songs that talk about love lost and life’s failures. Which is better? You be the judge.
13 Feedbacks on "Mau Marcelo gears up for ‘Asian Idol’"
ronald diana
whew…nice blog!
Bryan
there’s no vindication for Boom Tarat and Papaya…never!
Krizzy
Lost si Mau sa Asian Idol. The Singaporean guy won.
http://www.pinoymoneytalk.com/2007/12/17/asian-idol-winner/
But I think Mau deserved to win. Anyway, she’s still the best for me among all the Asian Idol contestants! Go Mau!
jimcast
hady mirza of singapore is very versatile singer; he is humble person; and really deserves to be the asian idol.
geri
I like what the writer said: “We are fans novelty songs like ‘Papaya,’ ‘Itaktak Mo,’ and ‘Boom Tarat.’ We patronize dance albums ‘made’ by John Pratts, Edu Manzano, and Mark Herras.” Well, if not for ABS-CBN ang GMA7 sensationalizing these substandard creations, these would not mean anything. Popular culture, wika nga, kaya yan lang ang kayang tarukin ng utak ng mga Pinoy.
geri
In fairness to Mau, she’s great. It’s just so sad that ABC is not as great as she is, kaya she is a wasted artist. Pero, not too late for her to do a “comeback”. Her album, by the way, is okay, kahit na revivals yung cuts. Yes, I don’t really patronize revivals pero may mga revivals that are way better than the original renditions.
macabre
Filipinos have poor taste of music thats why. Its true that we have great singers but its all copy cat of western music. I hope that we can develop our our style or improve it, Mau Marcelo is a great singer. I do not get it why wont these 2 giant network offer her a contract. Even the judges of the Asian Idol Predicted that she would be the winner. The judge from India Anu Malik who is also a music producer gave Mau a standing ovation. Mau Marcelo deserves a spot in the music industry both local and international. It would be a shame if other nations such as India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam would give her fame but not her native land. What a pity for Filipino for their poor taste. It is soo sickening to listen to singers to just scream and shout [birit] without dynamics or any style. I hate it hate it hate it. Filipino should open their eyes and take the ear wax out of their ears to hear the real talents. Mau may not have won but because its was a popularity and it was not a talent competition. I do not even think that the judges contributed because their prediction should have reflected the winner considering it was 50% judges decision. I am soo sad to see the diminishing originality of the Filipinos.
macabre
and just to add… Mau Marcelo was sick during the competition and she still gave her best. Filipinos should see that. She made it clear from the very beginning that she just want to bring pride to her mother land and end her sufferings.
geri
does anyone have a video of mau’s stint in jakarta?
pab ruizo
mau was the choice that nite! but text votes won in the end. i wonder why the 2959 rejected votes that sunday. it said “the service is not available this time”. Sayang hindi rigged ang voting, very fair!
boggart
the top 2 networks have a way of “stupifying” the filipino people. the take great pains in helping make the population a stupid one! that is why we are where we are. they are of no help in educating those who watch them. instead they sensationalize things that only the stupid will understand.
a few more years of this and we will be a nation of idiots who believe that noon-time show hosts are gods, idiots who would rather risk life and limb to win an instant cash prize, idiots who know nothing about what is happening in the country but the first ones to claim they are being marginalized by big business.
Gigi from Singapore
Mau Marcelo is a winner. I’m very proud of her performance in Jakarta. We should be proud of her. As a Filipino living in Singapore, I voted for her many times and . . . Hady Mirza (thinking he would not win and because he is my little son’s “Idol”.) Anyway, the “Idol” is a popularity contest where the buying power of of “texts” take precedence over talent. Mau, keep on shining and keep on working to make yourself better than your current best. Oh yes, I’m gonna buy your album. I hope I can find it in Singapore.
Couch Potatoes » ‘American Idol’ Season 7 on QTV
[...] go back to our local version of “Idol,” “Pinoy Idol.” I wrote an entry before about Mau Marcelo, the first “Pinoy Idol” winner. I was honestly surprised when I saw the “Pinoy [...]
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