Pilipinas Got Talent semi-finalists revealed

MANILA, Philippines - They sang, they danced, they performed and they wowed the judges.

Thirty-six out of the 220 talented Pinoys made it to the semi-finals of ABS-CBN's Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) and they will be competing not only for the judges' nods, but more importantly, the people's votes to win starting May 1.

Some of the semi-finalists have become instant Internet stars with their audition videos garnering as many as 3. 5 million views in YouTube, while others have received invitations to perform in various events nationwide, including political rallies.

Trimming the list to 36 was no easy task for judges Kris Aquino, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Freddie "FMG" Garcia. Of the 36 semi-finalists, 17 contestants came from NCR and Luzon, while 19 came from the Visayas and Mindanao.

Since its launch in February, PGT has shown a diversity in the impressive performances by young and old contestants across the country like a group of "goldies" who gracefully danced and impressed the judges, a daughter who sang to win her dad's approval, a ventriloquist who charmed the judges with his act, among others.

The Luzon semi-finalists are the Baguio Metamorphosis, Alex Carpena, Powerpuffcorn, Kapidamu Band, Allan de Paz, Markki Stroem, Garrett Bolden Jr. , Joel "Big Mouth" Amper, Ingrid Payaket, Ma. Jeline Oliva, the Velasco Brothers, Reinel Tulabing, the Imusicapella Chamber Choir, Geraldine "Fame" Flores, Keith Clark Delleva, Ruther Urquia and Jovit Baldivino.

Goldies n' Goodies, Jzan Tero, Mae Lozada and Anselmo Estillore, Josephine Aton, Carl Malone Montecido, Manolito Saldivar, Luntayao Family Singers, Jhistine Baguio and Filemon Baguio and the Snap Boiz, on the other hand, will represent the Visayas.

Mindanao acts Harold Gesulga, dance group Hello World, Reggie Ramirez, Florante Castino Inutan, Experience Kidz, Sherwin Baguion, Ezra Band, Rolando Ng III, Xavier University Cultural Dance Troupe and Rolando Permangil are also set to show what Pinoys from Mindanao got as they also enter the next round.

Starting this Saturday, viewers can catch the semi-finals live at the AFP Theater, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City.

Every week, six contestants will battle it out and only two will be chosen to go through the finals.

The contestant with the highest number of votes is automatically through to the next round. It is then up to the judges to choose who between the second and third placers in the text and on-line votes will advance to the final leg of the competition.

The first batch of semi-finalists who will go face-to-face for your votes are Jovit Baldivino and Ruther Urquia of Luzon, Jhistine and Filemon Baguio and the Snap Boiz of Visayas, and the Xavier University Cultural Dance Troupe and Rolando Permangil of Mindanao.

Source: The Philippine Star