AImost likely winner once beaten by a Pinoy

Followers of the American Idol (AI)  talent search (aired on Q-11 Wednesday and Thursday nights, with replays on weekends) will be pleasantly surprised to know that David Archuleta, said to be “the most likely” to win, was once beaten by a Filipino singer in another US-TV talent search. He’s none other than Mark Mejia and the show was Star Search (hosted by Arsenio Hall) which should be familiar to Filipinos because that’s where our very own Josephine “Banig” Roberto won the grand prize, the first Filipino ever to achieve that feat, in 1988.

Here’s the full story from Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre (news editor of the New York-based The Filipino Reporter):

David Archuleta, the half-American, half-Honduran teen crooner, will be the next American Idol, predict several TV critics in the United States.

But before the 17-year-old AI frontrunner’s inevitable coronation at the end of Idol’s seventh season a few months from now, it would be of great interest to note that David once lost to a Filipino-American singer from California on CBS’ Star Search.

It was five years ago when David, then 12 and winner of the Junior Singers Competition on Star Search, lost to then 10-year-old Mark Mejia of San Diego during the Battle of the Champions, a winners’ circle showdown. Also defeated by Mark was Tiffany Evans, 10, of Ocean City, New Jersey.

Fast forward to 2008. David, now a teen dreamboat, is inching his way to becoming the next American Idol, and in the process crushed the aspiration of another AI Season 7 Top 12 finalist, Ramiele Malubay of Florida, to become the first Asian-American to clinch the AI title. (Ramiele, a Filipino-American, is reportedly eyeing a singing career in the Philippines after the AI US tour).

And Mark? The Fil-Am boy, now 15, seems to have gone to oblivion. At least for now.

According to reports Mark, son of Emmanuel and Gilda Mejia, is gearing up for next year’s AI when he turns 16, the minimum age requirement for AI contestants.

And he may just succeed where Ramiele and Jasmine Trias (from AI Season 3) failed.

California Fil-Ams who have heard Mark perform at a recent community event in the West Coast said Mark still possesses the voice that made him a two-time Star Search Junior Singer Grand champion. In fact, they claim that compared to David’s, Mark’s voice today is “more polished and natural.”

In the looks (and height) department, however, they admit that Mark has a lot of catching up to do. “The boy needs a makeover if he wants to impress Simon Cowell,” one observer noted, referring to the AI British judge known for his scathing remarks.

Incidentally, YouTube carries several videos of Mark on Star Search, as well as videos of him today performing casually in front of his computer, as if giving viewers a sneak peek of his much-anticipated AI bid next year.

Briefly noted

• Did you know that a few years ago Cesar Montano stood behind (and between) Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton, one of whom could become the next President of the United States? Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre sent to Funfare a photo taken by Bing Branigan on July 28, 2005 at the world premiere of The Great Raid in Washington D.C., showing Cesar with the two presidentiables. In that movie, Cesar co-stars with Joseph Fiennes. Asked Edmund, “Did Cesar have a clue that one of the two senators could end up as the next occupant of the White House?” Did you, Cesar?

• The Arellano High School Batch ’78 will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a grand reunion on Saturday, April 26, called Perlas na ang Hilaga: Wer na U? For more information, members of the batch may call their treasurer Cynthia Aldana-Guina at 0917-8046419.

• The Crown Prince of Love Songs we have learned to love and welcomed as a token Pinoy returns to Manila this week to embark on his first extensive Asian tour. John Ford Coley, the multi-talented/awarded songwriter, singer and producer (of such monster hits as Just Tell Me You Love Me, Sad to Belong and We’ll Never Have to Say Goodbye) has chosen the Philippines as springboard for his Asian circuit tour. John has full confidence in the world-class capabilities of our local musicians so he will utilize an all-Pinoy back-up band for the Philippines and other Asian cities. Music wiz Carlo Gaa will be the musical director and the second keyboard player.

Having performed here countless times, John considers the Philippines his second home and is actually learning how to speak the local language. He eats Kare-Kare, Sisig, Crispy Pata and Sinigang with gusto and always looks forward to gaining pounds during his visits.

Love is the Answer Tour 08 spotlights  John’s versatility in performing. Besides performing all his popular love songs, he will be for the first time sing upbeat R&B songs by popular artists like Sam & Dave and Wilson Pickett. The tour kicks off at the Main Ballroom of the Heritage Hotel at Roxas Blvd. cor. EDSA on April 24 (Thursday), Victoria Ballroom at the Park Lane Hotel in Cebu on April 26 (Saturday) and at Tropezz in Greenbelt 3 on April 28 (Monday). In-between these gigs, he is scheduled to do several meet and greet sessions at SM Malls in North EDSA, Megamall, Fairview, South Mall, Clark, San Fernando and Cebu. Starting May 1, John will perform in Asian cities like Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Beijing, Melbourne and on board Star Cruises Virgo to Xiamen on May 14. (Note: Tickets for the Heritage Hotel show on April 24 are available at TicketWorld, telephone 891- 9999, and all its outlets; at Tropezz Greenbelt 3 for the Tropezz show on April 28 and Star Cruises Philippines at 521-5660 for the show on Superstar Virgo on May 14.)

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