Pop Star Kids’ tilt to the malls

There are just too many talent contests on TV these days. In typical Filipino fashion, everybody has joined the game and the glut of these on-air auditions has somewhat dampened the excitement. I do not know if you have already done this, but I really want to sit down and count how many we have ongoing at the same time nowadays.

The shows are also starting to get boring and the winners continue to decline in quality. Some contestants make the rounds of the shows, their faith in their capabilities providing them with immunization against rejection and rejection and rejection. But can you name a talent contest winner during the past six months who has become a star? I can’t.

But no matter how blah the situation, you can really count on children to save the day or at the very least, relieve the boredom. Bless the kids. They are almost always cute and it is always a treat to watch talented children sing. That is why I believe that Pop Star Kids has the edge these days. While gossips and scandals hold the fort on Sundays, the show on QTV 11 provides relief.

The finalists of the first season are Rita Daniela Iringan, Pocholo Bismonte, Renzo Ramil Almario, Vanessa Blanca Rangadhol and Julie Anne San Jose. Thankfully, they look like kids and not small adults and they can really sing. Most of all, they seem to enjoy performing.

Of course, I still do not approve of putting children under so much pressure to excel. They have to listen to what the judges say about their performances and get the results in front of the camera. That must be embarrassing, although Pinoy judges are mostly kind and no Simon Cowells. But can you just imagine what they go through after that, despite the support of what I hope are, understanding and supportive parents.

Hosted by Kyla, Pop Star Kids is now in the last round of the competition. A part of this is a tour of malls around Luzon where fans get a preview of what these kids can do. The final showdown among the finalists will happen on Sept. 17.

But before that, you can catch Rita, Pocholo, Renzo, Vanessa and Julie Anne at SM City North EDSA tomorrow; SM City Pampanga, Sept. 3; SM Sta. Mesa, Sept. 8 and SM Molino, Sept. 9. Aside from Kyla, Pinoy Pop Superstar winner Gerald Santos will join the mall shows.

The performances of each contender during the tour will be judged by the celebrity panel and factored into their final scores. These will be shown at the regular timeslot of Pop Star Kids at 7 p.m. every Sunday on QTV. The two boys got the edge last week. Let us watch and find out if they will do as well this Sunday.

Kyla’s Beautiful Days

Meanwhile, Kyla is also busy promoting the songs from her latest release under EMI Philippines. Entitled Beautiful Days, the album is her fifth and a follow-up to Not Your Ordinary Girl from two years ago. It is a mix of originals and covers by both Filipino and foreign composers.

The latter includes Kyla herself who ventures anew into songwriting with Beautiful Days and How Am I Gonna Tell You. The first single release is Ngayong Wala Ka Na, which was produced and arranged by Keith Martin of Because of You. He co-wrote the song with Jason Balibay and Diana Dayao.

Other tracks in the album are Cupid, Doin’ Just Fine, Nasaan Ka Na, I Wish I Wasn’t, Feel, The Hurt I’d Go Through, Love Is, I Wish You Love, Without You, Now and Forever and a duet remake of Say That You Love Me with Jay-R.

Kyla first hit the charts with Hanggang Ngayon six years ago. Other hits followed over the years like her first composition, I’m into You, plus I Will be There, Human Nature, Till They Take My Heart Away and If the Feeling is Gone. She is hopeful that Beautiful Days which she says, means moving forward, moving ahead, looking at things in a beautiful way, will also bring its own share of hits.