Does Miguel Mendoza deserve all your hatred?
Things are looking rather grim for 17-year-old Miguel Mendoza. The past two weeks, the youngest of the four remaining finalists of Philippine Idol has been looking forlorn and defeated. Why wouldn’t he? Poor Miguel is the current object of ridicule and scorn by irate Philippine Idol fans, furious at the resiliency of the tall, relatively good-looking teenager with the sharp eyebrows and good-natured gait. Despite Mendoza’s landing in the bottom two for the first time since the contest began, the ejection of underdog Pow Chavez left fans utterly red with anger, and forums, websites, and blogs are all abuzz with how the scrappy Mendoza has managed to survive this long.
At this point in the contest, I wouldn’t be too surprised if Miguel wants out himself. Who wouldn’t, if all one received at this stage in the game was flak for one’s inferior singing prowess? If one were surrounded by three superior singers, wouldn’t one naturally feel a sense of distress? Watching Miguel perform Can You Feel the Love Tonight was a lesson in irony: of all the remaining finalists, Mendoza received the least love from the live show audience, and it showed. It was as if Miguel could not concentrate on the song, trying, bravely, instead, to fend off all the unspoken hostility and evil wishes the audience in the Megamall theater (and televisions throughout the nation) were hurling at him.
It may have come to that point that poor Miguel, shell-shocked teen singer who may not in the same league as the others, has realized that he’s way in over his head. I wonder if Miguel foresaw what would happen if he actually did make it as far as he has right now, if he anticipated how he, a pleasant 17-year-old in the prime of his youth and with an undoubtedly bright future in any career he would so choose, by his own skills (and Mommy and Daddy’s connections notwithstanding), would be viewed with so much negativity.
Now, consider this exchange:
Ryan Agoncillo:
“Miguel for the past two weeks you’ve been scratching your head after results night kinakabahan ka lagi especially last night, it struck me when you said -I’m ready to go-. Gusto mo pa ba mag continue sa competition na ito, Miguel?”Miguel Mendoza:
“Oo, if there are people who will still vote for me, okay lang, okay lang din hindi.”
That answer, if anything, was the answer of someone who probably looks at Philippine Idol as something to do, the latest in a variety of activities that a privileged young man can engage in, and possibly do well. However, unlike competitors Mau Marcelo and Gian Magdangal, who have attempted to build careers for themselves in this industry for the longest time, winning Philippine Idol does not seem a matter of life and death to Mendoza (nor, we can safely assume, similarly well-connected finalist Jan Nieto). Which is not to say that neither Nieto nor Mendoza deserve the title any less than Magdangal or Marcelo, but simply to say that the kind of support to which the winner of Philippine Idol is extended to ensure a long and lengthy career, seems rather wasted on someone whose reaction to having arrived this far is, “okay lang.”
On a night when Chavez’s reaction to her having reached this far is a case study in gratitude for having been accepted by a public that has largely resisted opening up to lesbian Filipina musicians, Mendoza’s answer seems apathetic and cold, a slap in the faces of all people who have voted for him. It may seem the reaction of a teenager who is not fully aware of how privileged he is to have gotten this far, in the way having ‘robbed’ similarly talented individuals who will not be able to enjoy the opportunities that come with being Philippine Idol.
Miguel Mendoza does not deserve to be hated. He’s a nice kid with a good voice. Sure, he may not be as good as the others, but that doesn’t mean he deserves to be cussed at, mocked, and insulted. What is his crime?
If anything, I’d rather offer up this piece of advice to Mendoza or his handlers, if ever they find their way into this blog, and should Miguel win the title: Miguel, you have just been given a tremendous opportunity and blessing. Don’t treat the Philippine Idol title as just another notch in your belt, or another fling to do on the side. People voted for you, and they expect you to live up to their expectations. If you do become Philippine Idol, I suggest you run with it, take it very seriously, and build for yourself a long and lasting career. It is an insult to you, to your fellow finalists, to your fans, and to the Idol franchise, for you to not put 100% into this. You got yourself into it, so live up to it, kid. You’re very, very blessed.
—————-
On a different note: at the end of the day, Mendoza’s Achilles’ heel is the constant accusation of vote-buying. Should Mendoza win and the suspicions of many are confirmed by lackluster sales of Mendoza’s debut album, I would point my finger at Francis Magalona, whose steadfast insistence in seeing Mendoza through to the Final 24, for unleashing this travesty. Last night, he defended his choice, saying, and I paraphrase, ‘talent can be trained, but looks can’t, and [Miguel has the looks]. You can sell albums.’
Isn’t the entire point of Philippine Idol to find someone who does not need training, whose natural talent is supposed to shine through? Mendoza does have talent, but by Magalona’s acknowledging he needs training, he pretty much admitted that he let someone with less talent than others through. Is the Philippines so bereft (oh, there’s Ryan C’s word!) of talented individuals that the judges let through singers who still need training??
I’m not a fan of Miguel’s, but your entry was very good. In the event of a Jan-Miguel finale — which isn’t far-fetched — I would choose Miguel over Jan anytime.
Still, I’m hoping for a Gian-Mau finale, with Gian winning of course. But that’s just the fangirl in me talking.
I think the hatred (well from my point of view anyway) is directed towards the voting bloc/vote buying that’s been happening. I am pretty sure he is a nice guy (?) but is he better than any of the contestants? Except for the Sandra song, of course he isn’t. If he indeed wins (gasp!) the record sales will prove or disprove the claims. The loser, if indeed the votes were bought by just his well-off relatives, are the fans. Nice analysis by the way.
I used to like Miguel when I first saw him sing live at the Top 12 Male Finalist. Over time, Miguel didn’t seem to improve. His performance was boring and stiff though his vocal ability is there. Yes, Miguel is a nice guy and well supported by his family. Most of the ire of Idol fans are (like Jher mentioned) due to the well-oiled voting bloc and not directly at Miguel.
Hi Jher and Noemi: I completely agree with you that Miguel isn’t necessarily better, and it is precisely because some people choose to target their anger at Miguel and not that voting bloc and the lack of justice that it represents, that I write this particular blog entry.
Thank you both for passing by.
Oh, and thank you, too, Patty, for passing by! Thanks, in particular, for the nice compliment.
ganns you have a very good well thought article. but i think the hatred for miguel if indeed there is really, is not focused at himentirely but to the alleged well-oiled machinery supporting him.
i accept that miguel has fans, too. there were several people in the balcony last Sunday who were shouting Go Go Miguel. I wanted to add goHOME but decency and a friend prevented me from doing so. Some people have seen something in him that’s why they have voted for him. But I can argue that Pow has a bigger number of fans.
Miguel should make us feel that he deserves to be there. But I don’t see passion when he sings. A number of contestants in Pinoy Pop Superstar who are much younger than him can beat him in a passion filled performance. You may be right that his heart is not yet as focused in a singing career as the other three remaining finalists.
cheers!
miguel indeed can carry a tune. he’s waay better than those who auditioned (and got eliminated) in the theater eliminations. but what is frustrating for me is that no matter how long he stays in the competition, it seems that nervousness (or stress) gets in the way of his singing. i really liked the time when he sang a song on the piano, it was the best one for me and that i night i wished he won’t be eliminated. and he wasn’t (well, until now. *wink*)
i just hope he takes extra measures in improving, vocally and emotionally, because i know there are many people who believe in his talent.
nice post mister dean, nakunsensiya tuloy ako.
i jsut hope he goes home already or give a worthy performance
but expect more rabid comments when mau or gian goes out first than him.
I have to admit that im disappointed with Phil Idol,the judges let us down with a so-so top24….
mas maraming magaling kina miguel at jan, and even mau and gian, na hindi nakapasok.
at first I thought i will like PI than PDA but as time goes by, im liking the latter better especially with the variety and qualty of talent present there
but still imnot giving up with Phil Idol
basta! walang karapatan si miguel na maging american idol. more so, to stay in the competition. the only reason why he is still is in is because of the votes. by the way, are filipinos really that bobo when it comes to choosing good candidates? be it in politics or in talent searches? i hope not! m just wondering kung magkano na ang nagagastos ni miguel (or his family) just to stay in philippine idol.
sori… philippine idol pala..
baket si miguel ang tinatarget ng mga tao? i myslef is not a fan of miguel. honestly, i dont like his singing style. but this is a democratic country. lets give him a chance mag perform.
galit lang ako sa voting bloc. THE WELL-OILED VOTING BLOC, ‘ika nga.
sinasayang lang nila load nila. theyd rather vote according sa performance, and not according to the looks.
the way i see it, nagiging popularity contest na ang philippine idol.
di naman kasi matatanggal sa mga singing contest na ganito ang popularity factor–unless you leave it completely to a panel of judges. hayaan na lang natin kung anong mangyayari…sabi nyo na rin na it will all boil down to who sells the most albums. dun na lang i-base. ang tawag dun…karma. saka di rin naman far-fetched na masmaraming mabebenta ang 2nd or 3rd place. diba nga, clay really raked it in. ganyan lang talaga.
eto para sa ibang tao lang: may k lang kayo mainis sa kalalabasan ng voting kung kayo mismo nag-vote. ganun din sa pulitika, diba? asar kang nanalo si ganito o si ganun…eh nag-vote ka ba? mentality kasi talaga ng iba, “di na ko mag-vote, i’m only 1 person. my vote won’t make a difference.” eh kung lahat nga ng mga ganyan nag-isip eh nagvote, eh di siguro pasok–aggregate nyo lahat, malaking difference! at please lang, wag hihirit ng walang pang-load para mag-vote. kung kaya nyo i-afford ang mag-internet, siguro naman afford nyo rin ang 1 text vote!
Nice one Gunns!
cute tlga ni miguel..bket xah tinatarget nio??..me myself is a fan of miguel..ginigwa nman nia ung best nia sa laht ngmga performance..pero alam q he’s too young to be in the competition as mr.c said.. pero 4 meh..mgaling xah and deserving xah makapasok sa philippine idol..
OUT NA SI MIGUEL
yun lang hehe
I’m not a fan of Miguel either. He’s talented, yet raw. I really think he deserved to go and there were more deserving contestants.
Nevertheless, I am sure there’s a brighter future ahead of him. After all, he’s got the talent and looks. Talent which will be more refined by experience. Good package.
He may not be an Idol material now. But who knows who he will become in a few years.
Good post by the way.
So you mean that, Miguel deserve in the Final 3(Jan Mau and Gian)?
Lowell has the point.
So in my point of view, Miguel and his mom, ay nagkulang sa singing part.