READ: 'Centerstage' judges say contestants' backstory also bears impact
Since GMA-7's newest singing competition show Centerstage, with its one-of-a-kind interactive scoring system, will be a tough one, judges Pops Fernandez, Mel Villena, and Aicelle Santos revealed that the young contestants' backstory will add impact to their over-all performance.
During the Centerstage media conference held at GMA Network recently, Team Centerstage were asked by the media if the background story of the contestant could be a factor in judging the kids.
Kapuso vocal Aicelle Santos, responded yes: “Aminin man natin, karamihan ng mga bata ang kuwento ay, 'Kumakanta po ako para umahon sa hirap,' hindi ba, may mga gano'n, which is true? And may sumasali sa contest para sa prize money.
“Well ako, nangyari sa akin 'yon. I joined a contest because I wanted the P50,000 cash prize. So gagalingan ko. Hindi ba?
“Pero bukod do'n, marami pang mga nakakagulat na istorya na, 'Aww, that's why she' singing this way.'”
Concert Queen Pops likewise said that the kids' heart-wrenching story will help.
“Somehow it really helps even though siyempre iba pa rin 'yung talent sa real life story,” she said.
“Ako I get carried away also. Naiiyak na rin ako, nagiging emotional na rin ako and somehow you'd want to help this child, right? You want to help them excel also and of course, tama 'yon, win the prize money.
“Somehow it helps. Somehow, may malaking factor,” Pops added.
On the other hand, renowned musical director Mel Villena related that their background story would play a big factor in a contestant's performance.
“Like yung unang episode, there was this girl na I was looking at the song na kakantahin niya, 'Bakit ito 'yung ibinigay dito sa bata na 'to, e pang-matanda ito e, 'di ba?
“And then I saw the back story, 'Oh, wow, ganu'n pala nangyari,' and then she started singing, lumalabas 'yung hugot na 'yon sa istorya, nailabas ng bata (sa song) maski na it's an adult song,” he said.
With Asia's Multimedia star Alden Richards and Kapuso comedian Betong Sumaya as hosts, Centerstage is set to air every Sunday starting February 16.
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