PDA’s Laarni and Bugoy win international recognition

Fresh from winning the top two slots of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2, Laarni Lozada and Bugoy Drilon received recognition from the Asian Star Entertainment Awards as the Most Promising Female and Male Performers of 2008.

The awarding ceremony was held Saturday, October 4, at the Mandarin Suites in Gateway, Cubao. Laarni said that she was overwhelmed with joy when she learned about it.

Laarni already signed a one-year recording contract with Star Records last Tuesday, September 30. Being the first PDA scholar from her batch to get a record deal, she said that she is not affected by people pitting her with Bugoy, another academy favorite.

Laarni’s debut single “Manalig Ka” and Bugoy’s original ballad “Paano Na Kaya” are currently the two most requested songs in DWRR.


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Laarni to be awarded as the most promising performer.

Pinoy Dream Academy Season (PDA) 2 Grand Star Dreamer Laarni Lozada is set to receive the Most Promising Female Performer award from Asian Excellence Awards at the Mandarin Suite in Gateway Hotel on Saturday, October 4.

Indeed, Laarni is now making her dreams come true. She said that she is really thrilled to attend the event and promised that she will do her best to show the people how thankful she is to have all the blessings she is getting right now.

PDA Season 2’s First-runner up Bugoy Drilon will also get the Most Promising Male Performer Award.

New performers from Thailand and Japan are also set to participate in the awarding ceremony.

She also has an upcoming CD under Star Records.
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Laarni is the PDA Grand Star Dreamer.

The people have spoken, the scholar from Sultan Kudarat emerged as the Pinoy Dream Academy season 2’s Grand Star Dreamer. Laarni Lozada received 651,696 votes or 35.21%.to bagged the title. Bugoy Drilon grabbed the second spot with 549,716 votes or 29.7% of total votes. Miguel Mendoza completed the top 3 with 253,412 votes or 13.69%.

Laarni can not contain her emotions and had difficulty performing her winning song, “Manalig Ka” after the announcement of her victory. Her prize package includes a laptop, component and lcd tv from Sony, kitchen showcase from Whirlpool, P1.5 Million worth of Cyrtal Clear water store franchise, a brand new house and lot from Globe Asiatique and a check worth P1 million pesos from ABS-CBN.

Liezel Garcia, the 5-time Star scholar came in 4th, Van Roxas is fifth and Cris Pastor is on the sixth place.
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Pinoy Dream Academy - Scholars Sings Cayabyab

Title: Scholars Sings Cayabyab
Artist: Various Artist (PDA Season 2 Scholars)
Number of Tracks: 11

NOTE: The songs can be downloaded by clicking on the track listings. However, this is for promotional purposes only. If you like the music, please support the artists and purchase their CD. Files should be deleted within twenty four hours.

Track Listing:
1. Paano Na Kaya - Bugoy
2. Manalig Ka - Laarni
3. Another Goodbye Song - Van
4. I'd Rather - Liezel
5. Hero - Miguel
6. Limang dipang tao - Apple
7. Ganun Ba - Inaki
8. Bakit Ganyan - Cris
9. Wala Kang Katulad - Sen
10. Narito Lang Ako - Bunny
11. Awit Ng Pangarap-Yeng
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PDA concert for a cause performance videos

The Pinoy Dream Academy Top 6 Scholars’ Dream BIGayan Concert for a Cause last Saturday was a huge success after it accumulated P266, 400 from tickets and merchandise sales.

The show was part of the Top 6 scholar’s mission to raise funds for their chosen charity institutions while showcasing show-stopping performances that the viewers loved.

The scholars’ hosting abilities were also put to the test when each of them got the opportunity to introduce a fellow scholar. They also got to answer intriguing questions from Toni Gonzaga in a mini-talk show part of the show.
Voting for the Top 6 Scholars is still very much open.

To watch the performances of the scholars, click on the links below:

Bugoy - All I Need Is You by Guy Sebastian
Laarni - Waray Waray by Lani Misalucha
Van - True to Your Heart by 98 Degrees & Stevie Wonder
Cris - Sway by Pussycat Dolls
Miguel - Rock DJ by Robbie Williams
Liezel - Don't Stop The Music by Rihanna
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PDA Top 6 scholars will perform for a cause

The Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2’s Dream BIGayan Concert for a cause will happen this Saturday. This is part of the Top 6 Scholar’s fund –raising activities for their chosen charity institutions.

The scholars personally chose the songs that they will perform during the show so prepare yourself with show-stopping performances from the Top 6.

Audiences will definitely be wowed by Bugoy's rendition of Guy Sebastian's "All I Need is you” while Cris will tantalize everyone with her sexy take on the Pussycat Dolls' "Sway."

Laarni will be entertaining with a folk twist as she belts out Lani Misalucha's "Waray Waray." Liezel, on the other hand, will be doing a contemporary hit popularized by Rihanna, "Please Don't Stop The Music."

Miguel will be channeling Robbie Williams' suave moves as he sings "Rock DJ." Van will be making the girls swoon as he relives the boy band fever with 98 Degrees' "True To Your Heart."

Viewers are invited to go to the PDA Concert Hall on the day of the show to take part in this meaningful concert with the PDA scholars. Tickets are sold at P100 each.

For those who will not make it to the show, you can catch the scholar's performances on Saturday 7:45 PM on ABS-CBN.
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11th Gala Performance Night Videos.

The 11th Gala Performance Night showcased songs chosen by the scholars themselves. The night ended with only the Top 6 scholars remaining. Hansen was the latest expelled scholar. Here are the videos of the last performance of Sen in the Academy and the performances of the other scholars.

Sen - His Eye Is on the Sparrow (Lauryn Hill)
Van - Who Am I? (Casting Crowns)
Cris - Inseparable (Natalie Cole)
Miguel - Sandra – (Barry Manilow)
Laarni - I Am Blessed (Eternal)
Liezel - Goodbye's (The Saddest Word) (Celine Dion)
Bugoy - Can't Stop A River (Guy Sebastian)
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Van makes it to the PDA top 6, Sen was expelled.

The final top six of the Pinoy Dream Academy season 2 is now complete and it was Van who made it to the list. Sen even thought it was his name that was called to complete the top 6 but it was Van who made it.

Van received 54.58 % of the total votes while Sen Nichols got 45.42%. Sen was the latest expelled scholar of the Academy.

Van will be joining Bugoy, Laarni, Liezel, Cris and Miguel to complete the elite Top 6 of the PDA season 2.
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Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 Statistics.

If you’re a PDA season 2 fanatics, here are some trivia that you should know:

• Bugoy Bogayan - Scholar with the highest individual weekly grade, 9.81 - Week 10
• Sheng Belmonte - Scholar with the lowest individual weekly grade, 4.36 - Week 2
• Zhel Garcia - Scholar with the most Star Scholar award, 4 times
• Zhel Garcia - Scholar with the most consecutive Star Scholar award, 3 times
• Miguel Mendoza - Scholar with the most weekly probationary status, 5 times
• Bea Munoz - Scholar with the most weekly consecutive probationary status, 4 times
• Miguel Mendoza - Scholar with the highest percentage of viewers' voting turn-out for a pool of two, 75.97% - Week 10
• Laarni Losala - Scholar with the highest percentage of viewer's voting turn-out for a pool of three, 72.74% - Week 8
• Bugoy Bogayan - Scholar with the most appearance in the individual top 3, 6 times
• Zhel Garcia and Bugoy Bogayan - Scholar(s) with the most consecutive appearance in the individual top 3, both 5 times
• Miguel Mendoza, Sen Nichols and Bunny Malunda - Scholar(s) with the most appearance as the last place in ranking, all 2 times
• Sen Nichols - Scholar with the most consecutive appearance as the last place in ranking, 2 times
• Cris Pastor - Scholar with the most number of times saved by the fellow scholars, 2 times
• Miguel Mendoza - Scholar who is saved most by the voting public:, 3 times
• Zhel Garcia and Bugoy Bogayan - Scholar(s) with no probationary status


Source: http://en.wikipedia.org
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Featured PDA Scholar of the Day: Hansen

Full Name: HANSEN NICHOLS
Age : 24
Birthdate: 21 October
Place of Birth: Burlingame, California, USA
Height: 5’10”
Civil Status: Single
Educ. Attainment: B.S. Economics
School Attended: University of San Francisco
Interests (other than singing): Dancing
Favorite Singer: Justin Timberlake
Musical Influences: Martin Nievera, Ariel Rivera, Gary V., Stevie Wonder, Justin Timberlake, Enrique Iglesias, Babyface, Jenner Mallari (a friend), Mom, and my Ate
Discovering my voice: I remember my Mom would sing at parties and family gatherings and everyone would watch her and it inspired me to want to sing.We discovered my talent before I was in Kindergarten.
First song I ever performed: If I remember correctly, If Your Not Here By My Side by Menudo.
Musical instruments I can play: When I was in elementary school I took violin lessons and learned how to play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.On Piano I learned how to play SwanLake.
Musical instruments I’d like to learn: I want to re-learn playing the piano or keyboard and the guitar.
Greatest Achievement: Being able to finish college despite doing (cancer) treatment at the same time
Biggest Failure: Not making it into PDA Season one
Greatest Dream: To be successful, rich and famous by way of the entertainment industry, and to go into business
Songs Of My Life: Angels Brought Me Here, This Is Now
Quote Me: “I’m very passionate about music and show business. I’m here at this level of the competition because I’m living my dream rather than just watching others life it. I have every reason to quit through rejection, but I forged on and made sacrifices, which is why I’m here today.”

Notes on Sen:

For PDA fans who have followed the show since Primer 1 Season 1, Hansen Nichols is not a new voice. He made it to the NCR leg but failed the final casting during kick-off. “I almost gave up,” he confesses. But like the true survivor that he is, he wouldn’t take failure seriously. If he could succeed a tough fight for a second chance at life, surely he could claim a better opportunity with PDA. So when Season 2 auditions came, Sen did not hesitate to join once more the long lines of hopefuls and subjected himself in front of the judges. This time he passed all stages of the competition for a scholarship slot.

US-grown and educated, Sen could have picked any job at any corporation anywhere in the world but he sacrificed stability to pursue a yet-uncertain career in music. But the dream that started way back when he was a small boy watching his mom sing at parties, and which burned alive in his heart even through a near-fatal brush with cancer, is too strong to ignore.

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed:

1. Kailangan Kita - Piolo Pascual
2. I Believe I Can Fly - R. Kelly
3. Escape - Enrique Iglesias
4. Burn - Tina Arena, duet with Cris
5. My Chérie Amour - Stevie Wonder
6. Yesterday - The Beatles, a cappella trio with Bugoy & Van
7. Tearin' Up My Heart - *NSYNC, trio with Bugoy & Van
8. Bailamos - Enrique Iglesias, face-off with Van
9. Hold On - Side A
10. Say That You Love Me - Martin Nievera , counterpoint with Bunny
11. Can We Just Stop and Talk a While? - Kyla feat. Gary Valenciano, duet with Rachel Alejandro
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Featured PDA Scholar of the Day: Van

Full Name: VAN LOUELLE POJAS
Age: 18
Birthdate: 08 November
Place of Birth: TalisayCity, Cebu
Height: 5’8”
Civil Status: Single
Occupation: Student
Educ. Attainment: B. S. Physical Therapy (ongoing)
School Last Attended: Cebu Doctors University
Interests (other than singing): Playing the guitar
Favorite Bands: The Used, Mayday Parade, Paramore
Musical influences: Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, REO Speedwagon
Discovering my voice: At school, my teacher asked me to sing.
First song ever performed: I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing by Aerosmith
Musical instruments I can play: Guitar
Musical instruments I’d like to learn: Piano
Greatest achievement: Making it to Pinoy Dream Academy as a scholar
Greatest Dream: To finish my studies and be a very good physical therapist
Songs of my life: All That I’ve Got by The Used; Warrior Is A Child by Gary V.

Quote Me: “I’d go as far I could go as long as people love to hear my music and my voice. I would do my best to show my talent.”

Notes on Van:

Coming from a well-off family, good-looking, and talented, Van is expected to be contended with his life. But when asked what song would describe his general feeling, his immediate reply is “Incomplete.”

Van’s family used to be complete and happy until his parents separated. His mom is now based in the States while his father has his own life away from Van. All by himself, he has no one else to turn to but his textbooks and his music. But since it’s music that make shim happy, he has opted to postpone schooling for the meantime.
PDA will not give the Van the feeling of wholeness that he yearns for, but it will train him to become a better singer and perhaps, a complete artist.

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed:

1. Can't Fight This Feeling - REO Speedwagon
2. Next In Line - Wency Cornejo
3. Turn Back The Clock - Johnny Hates Jazz
4. Nobody Wants to Be Lonely - Ricky Martin & Christina Aguilera, duet with Apple
5. Bed Of Roses - Bon Jovi
6. Yesterday - The Beatles, a cappella trio with Sen & Bugoy
7. Tearin' Up My Heart - *NSYNC, trio with Sen & Bugoy
8. Through The Fire - Chaka Khan, face-off with Sen
9. Tatsulok - Bamboo
10. Maybe - Peabo Bryson, counterpoint with Poy
11. Bulong - Kitchie Nadal, duet with Kitchie Nadal
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Featured PDA Scholar of the Day: Miguel

Full Name: MIGUEL MENDOZA
Age: 18
Birthdate: 21 August
Place of Birth: USA
Height: 6’1”
Occupation: Student
Educ. Attainment: A.B. Philippine Mass Media (Freshman)
School Last Attended: De La Salle University-Manila
Interests (other than singing): Playing musical instruments, arranging and putting melody in a song
Favorite Singers: Billy Porter, Mariah Carey, George Benson, Regine Velasquez, John Legend, Eric Benet, Justin Timberlake, Gary V.
Musical influences: Eric Benet, Ryan Cayabyab, John Legend, David Foster, Jay Durias, Jose Villanueva, Kitchy Molina, Billy Porter, Beyonce
Discovering my voice: My mom enrolled me into music schools and in the process I discovered my musical ability.
First song ever performed: Ikaw by Sharon Cuneta
Musical instrument I can play: Piano, drums, guitar
Musical instruments I’d like to learn: Saxophone, violin, cello
Greatest achievement: Having worked with music icons at a very young age and having them appreciate my talent even if it is still in the process of improvement.
Biggest frustration: To go back to the country where I was born.
Greatest Dream: To be able to achieve a showbiz career, to have a pretty much stable business, to make my family whole again, to make everything I see pleasant to look at
Quote Me: “The wrong decisions that I have done and the mistakes that have occurred are already part of a better me.”

Notes on Miguel:

Singing is Miguel’s first love and like most first loves, it has caused him a great deal of frustration and pain.

But like all great lovers and great dreamers, Miguel has managed to emerge from his anguish and bounce back. Now he is again ready to face all the challenges, the criticisms, even the intrigues.Only this time, he knows he will be armed with knowledge shared by the best music mentors in the industry.

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed:

1. A House Is Not A Home - Luther Vandross
2. Farewell - Raymond Lauchengco
3. Hahanapin Ko - Anthony Castelo
4. Araw-Gabi - Regine Velasquez, duet with Bea
5. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Westlife
6. Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire, trio with Laarni & Apple
7. Too Much Heaven - The Bee Gees, a cappella trio with Laarni & Apple
8. When Doves Cry - Prince, face-off with Iñaki
9. What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? - Sarah Vaughan
10. Stay Awake - Ronnie Laws, counterpoint with Zhel
11. Never Ever Say Goodbye - Nonoy Zuñiga, duet with Sheryn Regis
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Bugoy is the Star Scholar of the week.

Jay “Bugoy” Bogayan, snatch the limelight from fellow scholars after he emerged as the Star scholar on a night when they performed with celebrity partners. Bugoy received the highest grade of 9.81 to bag the award following their rendition of the song “Muli” popularized by Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez with celebrity partner Vina Morales.

To watch the performances of the scholars on the 10th Gala Performance night, just click on the links below:

Muli by Gary Valenciano & Regine Velasquez - Bugoy with Vina Morales

Tell Me by Joey Albert – Liezel with Joey Generoso (of Side A)

The Prayer by Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion - Laarni with Jed Madela

Never Ever Say Goodbye by Nonoy Zuñiga - Miguel with Sheryn Regis

Can We Just Stop and Talk a While by Kyla feat. Gary Valenciano - Hansen with Rachel Alejandro

Kissing A Fool by George Michael - Cris with Richard Poon

Bulong by Kitchie Nadal - Van with Kitchie Nadal

Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival - Iñaki with Bituin Escalante

Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi - Poy with the Ryan Cayabyab Singers
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Iñaki, expelled from the Academy.

On a night when the scholars are paired with celebrity singers, Iñaki made his last performance as a PDA scholar. The Stage Performer only got 24.03% of text votes compared to the 75.97% of Miguel to earn him his ticket out of the Academy. Nevertheless, his duet with celebrity partner Bituin Escalante was welcomed with positive feedbacks from the jury. Juror Louie Ocampo said that he loved his performance and he wasn’t at all intimidated with his partner.



To view Iñaki’s last performance, click on the link below:

Iñaki with Bituin Escalante
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Featured PDA Scholar of the Day: Cris

Full Name: CRISTINA PASTOR
Age: 21
Birthdate: 20 November
Place of Birth: PasayCity
Civil Status: Single
Profession: Interior Designer
Educ. Attainment: Interior Design
School Last Attended: Phil.School of Interior Design
Interests (other than singing): Designing, drawing, reading
Favorite Singers: Alanis Morissette, The Beatles, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Lenny Kravitz, Heart, Sade, to name a few
Musical influences: The Beatles, The Doors, Alanis Morissette
Discovering my voice: Second year highschool, nilait ako ng teacher ko sa music na di daw ako marunong kumanta. Hiniritan ko nga ng Ave Maria, tulala siya.
First song I ever sang: Lupang Hinirang
Musical instrument I can play: Guitar, piano, bass, kahon
Musical instrument I’d like to learn: Drums
Greatest achievement: Having a job, graduating and making my family proud of me kahit black ship ako.
Biggest frustration: To be a model… ang liit ko eh…
Greatest Dream: To be a superstar and a popular interior designer and to have my own family.
Song of my life: One Hand In My Pocket by Alanis Morissette

Quote Me: “I would do anything (to show my talent to the world). Kahit kailangang pang kalbuhin ako.”

Notes on Cris:

At one look, Cris makes an immediate impression of someone coming from a lavish upbringing. Though she grew up having all things she wanted, she is more at home with an ordinary lifestyle.

She temporarily turned her back on interior designing - a career she worked hard for and is proud of – to pursue her passion for music.

Not the run-of-the-mill karaoke-goer who belts out everytime they see a mic, Cris doesn’t just sing. She is also into guitar and piano.Her first piece on the guitar?The intricate Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin.

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed

1. Papa Oom Mow Mow - The Beach Boys
2. Come Together - The Beatles
3. These Dreams - Heart
4. Burn - Tina Arena, duet with Hansen
5. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
6. Stop - Spice Girls, trio with Bunny & Zhel
7. The Tide Is High - Atomic Kitten, a cappella trio with Bunny & Zhel
8. It's Raining Men - Geri Halliwell, face-off with Bunny
9. Tattoo - Jordin Sparks
10. Dahil Mahal na Mahal Kita - Roselle Nava, counterpoint with Iñaki
11. Kissing A Fool - George Michael, duet with Richard Poon
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Featured Scholar of the Day: Bugoy

Another personal favorite among the scholars of the Pinoy Dream Academy is Bugoy. He is the farmer’s son from Camarines Sur who confessed that he used to practice singing with the cows and the birds while on the farm. Now, the whole county has been mesmerized with his great voice and talent.



Full Name: JAY BOGAYAN
Age: 18
Birthdate: 01 January
Place of Birth: Camarines Sur
Height: 5’5”
Civil Status: Single
Occupation: Working student
Educ. Attainment: College undergraduate (2nd year)
Course: Food Service Institutional Management
School Attended: University de Sta. Isabel
Interests (other than singing): Sports (track and field, swimming), acting, dancing
Favorite Singers: Guy Sebastian, BoyzIIMen
Musical influences: Guy Sebastian
Discovering my voice: When I was in first year college and a working student, my friend would hear me singing while holding the mop. He encouraged me to join a singing contest in our school.
First song ever performed: Nasaan Ang Liwanag
Musical instruments I can play: Wala po
Musical instruments I’d like to learn: Guitar, piano
Greatest achievement: Being a Pinoy Dream Academy scholar
Biggest failure: When I lost my scholarships. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kukuha ng pera pampaaral sa sarili.
Greatest Dream: To be a successful singer and chef!
Song of my life: Angels Brought Me Here
Quote Me: “I’d sing until my last breath… Kahit man lang sa kanta ko, mapangiti ko sila.”

Notes on Bugoy:

Bugoy only recently discovered that he had a stage-ready singing voice, and only accidentally.

Coming from an impoverished family in a far-flung area in Camarines Sur, the hard-working farmer’s son went into university with the dream of earning a degree. He payed his tuition through scholarships and earned his pocket money working as janitor, dish washer and other odd jobs.

It must have been a habit for Bugoy to sing while doing menial jobs. But back in the farm where only the cows and the birds could hear him, his voice went unappreciated. It took a friend, who heard him singing while cleaning with a mop, to make Bugoy realize that he could actually carry a tune. Winning school competitions soon emboldened him to dream some more and try out for PDA.

Look where he is now. Pursuing his dream of becoming a singer. Wherever this takes him, Bugoy will has packed enough prayers in his suitcase to see him through. And he has yet another dream… to meet someone he could fall in love with and call his girlfriend. “Para hindi na ako paghinalaang bading.”

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed

1. You'll Never Walk Alone - Frank Sinatra
2. Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli
3. Forevermore - Side A
4. If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys, duet with Zhel
5. I'll Make Love To You - Boyz II Men
6. Yesterday - The Beatles, a cappella trio with Sen & Van
7. Tearin' Up My Heart - *NSYNC, trio with Sen & Van
8. Nakapagtataka - Sponge Cola, face-off with Apple
9. As - George Michael & Mary J. Blige
10. Back At One - Brian McKnight, counterpoint with Laarni
11. Muli - Gary Valenciano & Regine Velasquez, duet with Vina Morales
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Featured Scholar of the Day: Liezel

I already told you that one of my personal favorites in the Pinoy Dream Academy season 2 is Liezel. Her voice is unique and distinctive. No wonder, she holds the record of the most Star Scholar award. She had it four times. However, to sustain the pressure of being a Star Scholar is a big challenge for her. And since she started on top, there’s no other way to go but down. The other scholars are quickly catching up but Liezel is still putting up a good fight. Below is Liezel’s profile:

Full Name: Liezel Garcia
Age: 23
Birthdate: 20 December
Place of Birth: Oriental Mindoro
Height: 5’1”
Racial Descent: Filipino
Occupation: OFW (office work)
Educational. Attainment: Mass Comm.
School Last Attended: Polytechnic University of the Philippines
Interests (other than singing): Dancing, acting
Favorite Singers: Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion
Musical influences: Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles, Kyla, Lani Misalucha, Jaya, Sarah Geronimo, Ella Mae Saison
Discovering my voice: When I was very young, my grandmother and I would get up at 5:00 a.m. She would teach me Tagalog songs and we’d sing together. I remember I started singing in public since I was three years old.
First song ever performed: Dalagang Tagabukid
Musical instrument I can play: Guitar (basic chords only)
Musical instrument I’d like to learn: Piano, drums
Greatest achievement: My two greatest achievements: when I finished college and when I was chosen as a finalist in PDA
Biggest frustration: I want to be a model but I know I’ll never be one because I’m too small
Greatest Dream: To be a professional singer
Song of my life: On The Side Of Angels

Quote Me: “You should fight for your life even thru trials… we need to grow, explore and move on.”

Notes on Zhel:

Probably her lola had great dreams for Zhel, thus the early morning trainings at 5:00 when she was too young to even appreciate what it could mean for her later in life.All she knew was that people would go crazy over her whenever she was given the microphone and made to sing in public.

She was able to use this talent as she grew up, gaining popularity in her hometown as she reaped first prizes in local singing contests.Now that she has moved on to a grander scale, it’s just too bad that her lola can’t watch and hear her sing anymore.

But what her lola can’t hear, perhaps her father can.He was never there to listen to her in her every singing contest; he left the family when she was six years old and was never heard from again until she was 20, then disappeared again.Maybe, inside the Academy, her voice will be able to reach out to her father and make him come home again.

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed:

1. Dance With My Father - Luther Vandross
2. Count On Me - Whitney Houston
3. So Much In Love - Sheena Easton
4. If I Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys, duet with Bugoy
5. Sa Aking Pag-iisa - Regine Velasquez
6. Stop - Spice Girls, trio with Bunny & Cris
7. The Tide Is High - Atomic Kitten, a cappella trio with Bunny & Cris
8. Listen - Beyoncé, face-off with Laarni
9. Best Of My Love - The Emotions
10. Sometimes A Love Goes Wrong - Carrie Lucas, counterpoint with Miguel
11. Tell Me - Joey Albert, duet with Joey Generoso (of Side A)
Read more...

Featured PDA Scholar of the Day: Laarni

I’m an avid follower of the Pinoy Dream Academy season 2 eversince it started and I’m a witness on how far the scholars have improved with their performances. I will be posting more information about the scholars in the coming days and I will start with the star scholar from the previous Gala Night.

One of the scholars who have improved immensely is Laarni Losala. One mentor dubbed her as the “apparition lady” before because her eyes were always fixed on the floor when singing. But that was before, Laarni is now full of confidence with her performances. No wonder, she was named as the star scholar on the 9th Gala Performance Night. Two jurors even told her that she has a “great voice”. Below are information I grabbed from the official web site of the Pinoy Dream Academy.



Full Name:Laarni Losala
Age:22
Birthdate: 23 June
Place of Birth: Pasig
Height: 5’2”
Civil Status: Single
Occupation: Student
Educ. Attainment: Bachelor or Secondary Education major in English (ongoing)
School Last Attended: Philippine Women’s University
Interests (other than singing): Acting, debate, teaching
Favorite Singers: Lea Salonga, Whitney Houston, Charlotte Church, Sitti, Charice Pempengco, Gary V., Renee Olstead, Enya
Discovering my voice: “Bibo po ako sa amin when I was a kid. Ginagawa kong microphone ang sandok. Then, lagi akong kumakanta sa loob ng klase during elementary years. Ang saya ko everytime ako kumakanta ng Lupang Hinirang sa flag pole.”
First song ever performed: Ang Tao’y Marupok Kay Daling Lumimot
Musical instrument I can play: Piano. My tita financed my piano lessons at PWU.
Musical instrument I’d like to learn: Violin, guitar
Greatest achievement: I’ve been able to support myself financially, and getting into PDA.
Biggest failure: When I failed and lost my scholarship in college.
Greatest Dream: To have a meaningful and peaceful life
Song of my life: Karamay Mo Si Hesus, composed by Mr. Anderson Go
Quote Me: “Music is my passion.Music will save me.”

Notes on Laarni:

At a young age, Laarni left Sultan Kudarat to find a better life in Manila, but with the promise that when she came back home, fresh with accomplishments they could all be proud of, she would set the family free from the poverty.

In Manila, Laarni came face to face with more hardships and suffering.Without her family to turn to, she found a lot of friends who shared her interest and passion in singing. Through them, her knowledge in music was enhanced, boosting up her confidence to sing.

Her voice as her asset, Laarni found ways to send herself to school. To graduate from college would be the first step toward fulfilling her promise to her family. But when the opportunity for a showbiz career knocked, she chose to drop school for the meantime and give PinoyDreamAcademy a try.With PDA, she could find herself delivering her promise of achievements to her family earlier than she expected.

Source: www.pinoydreamacademy.ph

Songs Performed:

1. In Your Eyes - Regine Velasquez
2. As If We Never Said Goodbye - Barbra Streisand
3. Fighter - Christina Aguilera
4. Kung Ako Na Lang Sana - Bituin Escalante, duet with Iñaki
5. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman - Aretha Franklin
6. Let's Groove - Earth, Wind & Fire, trio with Apple & Miguel
7. Too Much Heaven - The Bee Gees, a cappella trio with Apple & Miguel
8. ‘Di Ko Kayang Tanggapin - April Boy Regino, face-off with Zhel
9. And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going - Jennifer Holliday, face-off and duet with Poy
10. Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen
11. On The Wings of Love - Regine Velasquez, counterpoint with Bugoy
12. The Prayer - Andrea Bocelli & Celine Dion, duet with Jed Madela
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PDA season 2 9th Gala Performance Night videos.

Me and my girlfriend are hooked with the Pinoy Dream Academy season 2. Every Saturday nights, we are glued to the Television to watch the performances of the scholars. And just lately, we started recording their performances on our computer.

I personally like the voices of Liezel and Bugoy, they have great talents in not so pretty faces. My girlfriend is rooting for Laarni, I don’t know why. Lol.

By the way, I added a poll on the side bar of this blog about the Pinoy Dream Academy. You can vote for your favorite scholars if you think they deserve to become the Star Dreamer.

For those who missed the 9th Gala Performance Night, you can view the performances of your favorite scholars from the links below:

Laarni and Bugoy

Van and Poy

Miguel and Liezel

Sen and Bunny
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Laarni, the star scholar of the week.

The jurors of the Pinoy Dream Academy season 2 finally noticed Laarni as she was made the star scholar of the week on the 9th Gala Performance Night. Her counterpoint performance with Bugoy earned her the highest grade of 8.97. Completing the Top 3 is her partner Bugoy and honorary scholar Poy.

Watch her winning performance with Bugoy from the link below:

Laarni and Bugoy - 9th Gala Performance Night
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