While Filipinos can be pretty eager fans when it comes to boy-band groups from overseas, one should not forget that local entertainment companies have tried their hand at forming boy bands in this country too. People from the 1990s might recall how the Universal Motion Dancers were briefly retooled into a song-and-dance group, which was the rage those days. More recently, the South Korean-trained group SB19 among others has recaptured Pinoy fascination with boy bands. Perhaps the time has come to comb the country for a new up-and-coming group. TV5 network is taking up the challenge of finding them, with the help of one of the Philippines’ top mobile brands.

Rappler reports that TV5 with primary sponsor TNT will soon be launching “PoPinoy,” a nationwide reality talent search that will find the next boy band that will push P-pop to a new level. Aspiring Filipino singers who feel they would work best in a group are going to be competing to find their spot on the boy band that will be the one standing in the end. And for those lucky youths, they will win a P1.25 million cash prize alongside APT Entertainment giving them talent and imaging contracts. Talk ‘N Text will snag them as new product endorsers too.

TNT being the sponsor of “PoPinoy” actually caused a small rumor online, when one of the earlier press images for the new show featured Kapamilya recording artist Sarah G. The takeaway was that she had left ABS-CBN to host “Popinoy,” only for the Kapamilya network to set things straight. Sarah G was a TNT endorser, and her being on the ad was due to the mobile service company’s primary sponsorship.

Auditions for “PoPinoy” are held online nationwide, open to young male participants aged 18-24 years old. They must form their own groups with minimum 3 to maximum 5 members, and must be skilled, talented and charming enough to impress the audience, the viewers, and the celebrity judges who will be critical in deciding their fates. TV5 notes that celebrities will also host the show, but have yet to name names.

TNT Senior VP Jane J. Basas remarks that their mobile service brand has been a solid champion of Filipino talent saying, “We are excited to discover the best Filipino all-around performers and to support them as they pursue their dreams.” Speaking for Cignal TV and TV5, president and CEO Robert Galang adds, “We share the same vision with TNT in showcasing world -class Pinoy talent. We are hopeful that in the future we will see our very own Pinoy Pop idols dominate the world stage.” The network has yet to give “PoPinoy” a premiere date.

Images: Manila Bulletin, Inquirer.net

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