Who will be the ultimate Pinoy Pop Superstar?

Eight final hopefuls with superb singing talents will try to outshine each other to be the ultimate Pinoy Pop Superstar as GMA 7’s top-rating search for the next singing sensation begins its final countdown to its Grand Showdown on May 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Vying for the grand title are Michael Garcia, Kristel Astor, Charmaine Piamonte, MC Monterola, Brenan Espartinez, Jonalyn Viray, Philbert de Torres and Sheila Ferrarie.

The first Pinoy Pop Superstar grand champion will also win 1 million cash presented by Coca-Cola, a Futura Classic house and lot developed by Filinvest, a brand new Toyota Innova and an exclusive one-year recording contract with GMA Records, the recording arm of GMA Network.

On top of possessing remarkable singing talent, the eight Pinoy Pop Superstar grand finalists are all young souls who have chosen to pursue their love for singing and realize their dream of being superstars someday.

Eighteen-year-old Michael Anthony Garcia of Iligan City is the first grand finalist and the so-called heartthrob among the Pinoy Pop Superstar final contenders for capturing the hearts of many young women after reigning in the talent search for seven consecutive weeks.

Power belter Kristel Astor, meanwhile, is the first female grand finalist. Hailing form Pampanga, Kristel made a mark in the contest for interpreting the hits of Alicia Keys and other R & B female artists.

One of the youngest among the contenders, singing sweetheart Charmaine Piamonte had been participating in singing contests in and out of the school to keep her dream of becoming a singer within reach.

The fourth grand finalist is MC Monterola. MC, the group’s passionate performer, shares his love for music inspired him to entertain people.

Spiritual and deeply religious, Brenan Espartinez is the fifth final contender who joined the Pinoy Pop Superstar “to glorify the Lord and bless other people through music.” A true-blue soul sensation, Brenan loves R & B music.

Meanwhile, 15-year-old Jonalyn Viray shared she started showing her prowess in singing at an early age. This sixth grand finalist likes different kinds of music and had involved herself in various talent search contests.

Philbert Simon de Torres is a Filipino- Canadian from Vancouver who has joined many singing competitions abroad, including Canadian Idol where he made it to the top 30. Asked why he did not try out for American Idol, Philbert stressed that he instead chose Pinoy Pop Superstar because he is a Filipino.

The last two grand contenders, Philbert and Sheila, emerged as winners in the recently concluded parallel search held in North America after Filipino communities clamored that Pinoy Pop Superstar be also held in the region.

Before the Grand Showdown, the eight Pinoy Pop Superstar finalists will give a sample of their showdown as they join the Grand Kapuso Fans’ Day in Cebu on May 1.

The grand contenders will continue going through image and personality development as well as voice training to boosts further their confidence and enhance their talent. Members of the team that assist in developing the contenders include designer and stylist Pepsi Herrera, personality development expert Olen Lim, vocal coach Annie Nepomuceno, make-up artist George Bantolinoof Salon de Orient, singer Sushi Reyes of the Opera, choreographer Andrew Ferraris of Whiplash, director Freddie Santos and musical director Raul Mitra.

Hosted by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, who is also a product of a talent search, find out who among the grand contenders will outshine them all in the Pinoy Pop Superstar Grand Showdown on May 8 at the Araneta Coliseum.

There can only be one Pinoy Pop Superstar!