ENTERTAINMENT | April 13, 2018
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| (Image Source: Hallo-Hallo Entertainment) |
It has been a long tradition for talent search programs in the Philippines
through the years to showcase the finest aspiring performers across the nation
that are set to make a name for themselves. However, in recent years, those who
are participating in these searches are also keen to improve not just their own
talents but also in many different aspects of life. Judging from what talent
shows in our local shores are all about today, MNL48 is no exception.
Thousands of young Filipinas have been given the chance to become part
of one of the most popular Japanese musical acts in the world today, AKB48,
through its newly-launched sister group MNL48. Out of thousands, 200 were
officially introduced last January; thus, the search officially began as part
of the country's top-rating noontime show It's Showtime. After months of rigorous
training and showcase, the number of aspirants were trimmed down to 48 but those
who are watching their journey are in for an intriguing surprise.
On April 7, 2018, new challengers were introduced through secret
auditions and it seems that the remaining 48 aspirants will be slowly increased
all the way to the group's upcoming general elections on April 28, 2018 where
the final lineup will be based on not only public votes which was done through
the official MNL48 mobile app but also the decision that will come from management
of ABS-CBN, Hallo-Hallo Entertainment, and AKB48's official talent management
company AKS Company. What has been transpired throughout the search has
received mixed reception from the online world, but is assured that many pop
culture fans are not happy about it.
In my case, I would say "screw" anyone who is thinking
negatively about what is happening throughout the process and we wait for who
will be officially part of MNL48 as well as the top seven who will be sent to
Japan to undergo training with AKB48. Furthermore, the official members of
MNL48 will then be performing in a theater exclusively made for them. It is
uncertain when the group will launch their own original songs but they will
initially sing popular AKB48 songs in Filipino just to further promote Japanese
pop culture in our local shores.
