The Real Top 10

All but two of the 10 duets for this week got a standing ovation from the judges!  That's how great the performances are this week! Oh my gosh!  I don't have the words!  The All Stars really brought everything to the next level ten levels higher!

The show started off elegantly with the top 10 number choreographed by Chris Scott.  Clever use of the rocking chair!  These choreographers have such weirdly creative ideas for props.

The duets were started by a high energy, heart-stopping disco routine by the great Doriana Sanchez performed by Brandon and Amy.  The lifts are really scary but it's Brandon who is doing them and with those big biceps, and considering how small Amy is, they were done perfectly!  Almost too perfect really especially on that last death drop!  An inch from the floor! Oh my!

That was followed by a sharp and funky jazz performance by the beast herself, Melanie paired with Fik-shun.  Their dance really left you feeling good.  Melanie is as sharp as ever and Fik-shun for the most part was able to match her brilliance.

VoicePHBattles

The Battle Rounds on The Voice of the Philippines have not really delivered... yet.  I am hoping that a good battle happens soon.  Save for the battle between Mitoy and Chien last week, there's really nothing memorable among the performances.  The contestants have almost always been uncomfortable on stage, singing off key and not giving the full performance expected of them.  The song choices of the coaches, too, have not really showcased the beautiful voices of the contestants.

Remember this?

Do you still remember this performance between Jessica Sanchez and Jennifer Holiday?  That's the kind of battle that I am expecting from The Voice of the Philippines!  And I hope to see it soon...

SYTYCD 10 Top 10

Yes.  It's still two more weeks until the top 10 dancers are revealed but as early as now, I would like to make my predictions.

I think the girls are so much stronger than the guys this year.  They are better trained, have more personality and are amazing performers.  Here are my thoughts on who will make it to the top 10.

1. Hayley.  Let me just say what an opportunity for Hayley this week to be able to dance with the choreographer himself - Leonardo! Even Mary Murphy was envious!  Hayley has been consistently voted to safety so even though she isn't the strongest among the women, I think she'll cruise through to the top 10.
2. Makenzie.  Consistently at the bottom 3.  Consistently saved by the judges because of her amazing performances and professionalism.  I hope America votes her to the top 10 and if not, I hope the judges do not tire of saving her.
3. Paul.  The ever-gelled Armenian, who I admire for having the courage to take on another season of SYTYCD in a foreign country at that, has revealed himself to be a very strong contender.

The First Battles, The Voice of the Philippines

The blind audition has ended.  And tonight, the battles begin.

Team Apl started the show.  It was a battle between the Lorenzaga siblings and Tristhan.  The performance was signed and sealed but did not really deliver.  I personally preferred the Lorenzagas but Apl chose Tristhan.

Team Kawayan followed.  Lee Grane vs Dan.  Dan outsang Lee Grane. But Bamboo might have already made a choice from the moment he paired the two.  Too bad for Dan.  Despite producing a shifty performance, Lee Grane moves on and makes a promise of doing better next time.

Team Sarah's turn.  Battle of the pretty belters - Lecelle and Morisette.  The time allotted wasn't really enough.  The two started with quiet power and then exploded into an energetic performance of Enough is Enough.  Best battle thus far with Morisette winning.

Team Lea is last to perform.  Heart's Alone.  Mitoy and Chien.  Chien gave it her all and produced some powerful vocals. But Mitoy, a guy, sang in the same range as Chien and hit all the right notes.  It was the best match performance of the night but in the end, as expected, Mitoy emerged victorious.

I am really excited to see the rest of the battles next week!

SYTYCD 10

Aaaaahhhh! These promos from Fox featuring the all-stars have got me all excited about the new season of so you think you can dance! As a frustrated dancer, I have been a fan of the show from the very first season where Melody, a Filipina, came second to Nick Lazarini! Can't wait to see the show and what new things they've decided to put in. I hope they retain much of the format and rules from the previous season though! Aaaaahhh!

The promo features (from 7 to 1) Kathryn, Robert, Whitney, Twitch, Lauren, Mark and Neil.

the voice - 6th week

It's the knockout round in the fourth season of the voice and I am still hooked. Hahaha... By the way, I am not sure if it really is the sixth week or not. I just assumed and I am hoping that I made the right assumption.

So, as I mentioned, I am still hooked. The judges are quite entertaining and the singers are really talented.  It's my first time watching the voice this deep into the season. I only got to watch the blind auditions of the previous seasons so I have no idea what happens at this stage of the competition.

I am writing this as I watch the first of the knockout round. Hmmm... So they are pitting the remaining singers in each team against the other members of in the team.  The coaches (Adam, Shakira, Usher and Blake) choose 2 singers from their team for the knockout round. I find it weird that they are doing this to their team but hey, that's how they formatted the show and it has created a big following so who am I to question their choice.  I think it would have been better had they pitted singers from different coaches against each other but that's just me.

the voice 4th season

When the show "The Voice" first aired. I immediately took to its format. It was refreshing, different from the rest of the singing competitions.  But I didn't like the judges they chose.  Well, I like Adam Levine. I didn't know Blake Shelton then but eventually, his funny antics and comments made me like him, too. It was Ceelo that I thought was off as a judge. But that's just me. And while Christina Aguilera can easily out-sing anyone, in the battle of the pop stars, I still prefer Britney over her.

So in the fourth installment of The Voice, Usher and Shakira were very welcome changes to the judge line up.  The dynamics, chemistry among the four was way better. It was fun to watch the banter, the exchange of playful jibes.

But I only do enjoy The Voice during the blind auditions.  I don't really quite understand why they have to pit their chosen singers against each other. Let's see if this season will be able to capture my attention till the very end of the season...

Be you

"It can be a relief to stop hiding, to accept who you really are and let the world see you that way, too. A little self-awareness never hurt anybody. Because when you know who you are, it is easier to know what you are about and ultimately, what you really need." - grey's anatomy