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To give expert advice and opinions on this year’s Celebrity Duets contestants, a notable trio is tapped to judge our Celebrity Duets contenders.
On Celebrity Duets’ second season, we are treated to an A-list roster of celebrity contenders. No doubt an explosive and entertaining season ahead of us, Celebrity Duets will certainly equal or surpass the success of its first season. To give expert advice and opinions on this year’s contestants, a notable trio is tapped to judge our Celebrity Duets contenders. Text by Loretta G. Ramirez, Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio Celebrities in their own right, these three distinguished personalities are reason enough to watch every episode of the contest. Let’s meet the famous trio and read what they have to say about the show and the contestants. Freddie Santos, the director Renowned performance expert Freddie Santos, will lend his expertise to the eight celebrity contenders. Part of the reason why he accepted this responsibility was that he has watched the first season and enjoyed it tremendously. “It’s fun ‘yun 'yung number one reason ko talaga, because normally I don’t like being a judge. I am one of the performance experts here in GMA and I take the art very seriously. Pero nung tumawag 'yung Celebrity Duets, ay naku imposibleng tanggihan,” admits the venerable stage and TV director. He said that he is looking forward to working with his fellow judges, whom he knows personally and professionally. “Pero more than them, I am looking forward to the contestants (laughs)” he adds. Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Celebrity Duets winner Season one’s grand champion, Ms. Tessa Prieto-Valdes seemed to be one of the most obvious choice to judge this year’s Celebrity Duets. Aside from being able to relate to the contenders, she is known for being vocal and honest about what she thinks. “I am so glad I am done with the texting and the voting and the singing, (laughs)” says this gregarious host at the start of our interview. She said that she’s enjoying her judging chores and feels that everyone should just have fun and just enjoy the experience. She also shared some tips to the celebrity contenders and said that they should choose their songs wisely and be nice to the staff and their vocal coaches. “Me, I never sang any ballad until the finals, I hate ballads ‘coz when I hear myself sing, I get nervous and I say ‘Oh my God! My voice is so terrible!’(laughs)” She adds that the contestants should not be afraid to reinvent themselves and be as versatile as possible. “Sing a Tagalog, an English song, a fast song, para lang every week you have sort of a theme and something for the people to look forward to every week,” shares the reigning Celebrity Duets grand champion. Danny Tan, the composer A veteran when it come to judging musical competition, Danny Tan admits that he will be the one in-charge of judging the technical aspect of the contest. “I will still contribute what I know, on the technical side and the musical side pero basically it is [all about fun]. Pero, I will still stress na kahit hindi ka professional singer, as long as you enjoy what you are doing and then you perform for the audience, then na-reach yung goal ng program.” He adds that he will try to give constructive criticisms and pointers. These criticisms are not only for the contenders but also for the television audience. “Kasi ‘yung mga nanonood dyan, kaya nanood ‘yan para makakuha din sila ng pointers. Kasi alam mo naman ang Pinoy mahilig kumanta, di ba?” The judges have spoken and they are unanimous in saying that this show is about having fun and enjoying every performance. The competition is just there to determine who among the celebrity contenders will gather the most number of votes from the viewers. With this in mind, we look forward to their constructive criticisms every Saturday right after each performance of the contestants. So, be sure not to miss any of Celebrity Duets entertaining episodes, tune in weekly right after Pinoy Records. Let us know what you think of the Celebrity Duets’ second season. Log on to the iGMA forums