Laarni Lozada: Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2 Grand Star Dreamer

Tonight marks the culmination of Pinoy Dream Academy Season 2, with flying colours, compared from the so-known Pinoy Idol, at the Cuneta Astrodome.

The emotional scholar from Sultan Kudarat and former student of Philippine Women's University, Laarni Lozada made it as the Grand Star Dreamer with a whooping text vote count of 651,696 or more than 35.19% of the total text votes. Her supporters were proudly wearing yellow-themed shirts with signages like 'Daddy ako ni Laarni,' 'Tito ako ni Laarni,' and 'Fan ako ni Laarni.' She is not my bet during the first legs of the PDA, but what can I do, she has already been declared as grand star dreamer.

Bugoy Bugayong, from Camarines Sur, might have been grand star dreamer if he joined a radio program because he really has a perfect husky voice. He might have won the competition if not for his silly dance moves. Billy Crawford is even asking Bugoy to teach him those awkward Michael-Jackson-inspired foot dance. I really am ashamed while he is performing but I am impressed greatly of his perfect voice when I covered my eyes with a pillow. Moving on, Bugoy placed 2nd in the contest with 549,760 text votes, around 29.7%.

I became worried of the results when the 6th, 5th, and 4th places were announced and Miguel has not yet been called. The things I became worried of is that the accounting of votes may have been erroneous, or envelopes may have been exchanged, or someone else manipulated the text votes and Miguel may have been announced as grand star dreamer. Well, judging him based on his performances, songs are already carefully chosen for him and by him but it seems that his voice doesn't pick the songs. Surprisingly, Miguel Mendoza, from Mandaluyong City, garnered 253,412 text votes or 13.68%, and was announced 3rd Star Dreamer. If that competition was judged, I bet he should have been placed 6th or got sent off early in the competition.

Imported from Dubai, scholar Liezel Garcia, surpassed the contest as 4th Star Dreamer with an almost-there 247,346 text votes, or 13.36%. Cash and Gift Prizes were only given to the top 3 star dreamers, so I called her almost-there. During the introduction of the top 6 scholars, each of them has a audio-visual presentation aside from her. I felt sorry for her because I think she looks like hesitant during the grand dream night caused by several instances. Liezel, I suggest you file a Motion for Reconsideration, you should have been sitting with Laarni and Bugoy in the top 3.

Many are still confused if he is an actor who looks like a singer, or a singer who looks like an actor. Guys, Van Pojas, let's say, instead, is a performer. Nowadays, actors like Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera were being asked to sing and singers like Sarah Geronimo were being directed to act. So let us just call them performers. Anyways, Van got 113,065 text votes or 6.06% of the total votes, which I suppose is from female and feeling-female fans.

Cris Pastor is predictably placed 6th with 36,487 text votes or 1.97%. Though I like her during the earlier stage of the competition, her performances seem bland during the latter part of PDA. Anyway, she said she learned the value of her family while inside the 'academy' and is ready to face the world with her new outlook in life.

Congratulations ABS-CBN, many are looking forward to a Pinoy Dream Academy Season 3. I am also hoping that GMA-7 will develop the Pinoy Idol based on the "Idol standard," not just a noontime-show standard.

(Photo from www.pinoydreamacademy.com.ph)