MANILA, Philippines—“Vote for contestants not because they’re friends, but because they’re globally competitive,” pleaded singer-actress Jolina Magdangal, one of three judges in the talent search “Pinoy Idol” which has entered its final round.

Jolina expressed her frustration because Kid Camaya, 24 — a Top 12 finalist whom she believed deserved to win — was booted out of the competition on Sunday night’s elimination at the Centerstage of the Mall of Asia (MoA) in Pasay City.

Another finalist, Daryl Celis, 21, also lost out that night.

This means that only Jayann Bautista, 21, Gretchen Espina, 20, and Ram Chaves, 25, will slug it out at the finals on Aug. 17 at the SMX in MoA.

“We can say all we want, but it’s still the viewer’s decision that prevails in the end,” Jolina told Inquirer Entertainment the day after the last elimination. “It could really get exasperating sometimes.”

Jolina had hoped that Camaya, Bautista, Chaves, Robbie Navarro, 28, and Penelope Matanguihan, 16, would complete the Final 5. “Pero may sariling gusto ang mga tao,” she said. “I realized that viewers don’t just go for contestants who sing well. Looks are also important.” Navarro and Matanguihan were eliminated in the early rounds.

Another judge, Wyngard Tracy, said they have done their part trying to convince the audience to vote wisely and could not think of anything else to do. “We respect their decision,” he declared.

The third judge, Ogie Alcasid, said commending a performance does not always translate to votes for an “Idol” hopeful. “This is why mediocre performers still make it among the top,” the singer-songwriter pointed out.

Wyngard said that, among the last three contestants, he hoped Bautista would bag the title because “she personifies the qualities of a ‘Pinoy Idol.’”

Wyngard continued: “With the proper training and a major makeover, she might win in the international competition. I just hope she would absorb everything she would be taught.”

For Ogie, an “Idol” winner is a combination of many characteristics. “He or she should not be too emotional, but that was how Gretchen came off when she performed last weekend,” Ogie observed. “We really didn’t think she could deliver.”

Moving on

After bowing out of the talent competition, Camaya said he can now fully concentrate on his singing career. “I could still go back to being a bank employee, but I want to try making a name for myself in show biz,” he mused.

Celis, who had figured in the Bottom 3 several times before getting eliminated, said he was nevertheless thankful to have reached this far in the competition. “Malakas talaga ang mga kalaban,” he concluded.

Among the performing guests last week were bands Itchyworms, Cueshe, South Border, Freestyle, Callalily, and singers Luke Mijares, Duncan Ramos, Jay R, Jet Pangan, Vernie Varga, Hajji Alejandro, Basil Valdez and Regine Velasquez.

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph