WINNIPEG – For two consecutive nights, 52 singers vied for 12 spots in the 2010 Pinoy Pop Star Grand Finals and a chance to win a top prize of $2000. 

In this semi-final phase of the competition, held on February 23 and 24 at the Jaguars Dance Club in the Club Regent Casino, the judges – Frank Urbano, Anita Lubosch, Dale Milne, Chester Pangan and Maui Zamora – expanded the Grand Finals group to 14 contestants after the tabulation results revealed extremely close scores among the top singers.

The names of the 14 grand finalists were announced on the second night of the semi-finals. In alphabetical order, they are: Sherrie Ancheta, Janice Baris, Jisselle Candelaria, Chantal Cano, Daisy Crisostomo, Jimuel de Castro, Allen Genota, Sheera Lumahang, Aiza Luna, Elsa Mutya, Cherrie-Len Olid, Grace Ann Panganiban, Melanie Sayarot and Joey Villanueva.

See photos and videos from the Pinoy Pop Star Semi-Finals.
Jessica Viray, a 2009 Pinoy Pop Star finalist, treated the audience on the second night of the semi-finals to an exciting mini-concert where she wowed the crowd not only with her powerful voice but also with her tantalizing dance moves, backed up onstage by dancers Talia Kibsey and Danielle Briol.

Winnipeg singer/rapper Gino Yso also joined Jessica on stage to rap during the Lady Gaga-inspired dance numbers as well as to sing a pair of light-hearted duets. Gino also performed a short impromptu solo set on guitar while the judges continued their deliberations behind closed doors.

As the tension rose awaiting the announcement of the grand finalists, Gino Yso returned to the stage with 2009 Pinoy Pop Star runner-up, Jesse James Baris, to perform unrehearsed duets that kept the audience well entertained. Pilipino Express’ columnist Dale Burgos emceed the two-night semi-finals.

A joint project of the Pilipino Express News Magazine and the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation, this year’s Pinoy Pop Star attracted scores of talented vocalists to three full days of auditions at the McPhillips Station Casino in January.

The remaining 14 singers are now preparing for the Grand Finals night, which will take place on Tuesday, March 23 on the main stage of the McPhillips Station Casino. As part of their preparation, the finalists will attend a performance workshop with Anita Lubosch, one of the semi-final judges and a veteran stage performer.

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