KZ Tandingan: "Hindi lang biritero't biritera ang pwedeng manalo"

KZ Tandingan, a band vocalist from Digos City who was mentored by international singing sensation Charice, was voted as the first grand winner of “The X Factor Philippines” during the final results night held last night (Oct 8) at the PAGCOR Grand Theater.

KZ garnered a total of 54.77% of combined text and online votes, beating second placer Gab Maturan (32.33%) and third placer Daddy’s Home (12.90%).  While bursting into tears, KZ thanked everyone who supported her all throughout the competition and reiterated her goals for joining the show.

“Simple lang naman ang goal ko—ang mapaayos ang church namin at mapatunayan na hindi lang biritero’t biritera ang puwedeng manalo,” said KZ.

KZ had been an early favorite in the competition ever since she sang her own rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” in her audition. She gave such a unique vibe and flavor to the Judy Garland classic that totally blew away judge-mentors Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Pilita Corrales, and Charice. Gary even quipped “a star is born in Digos City.”

Since then, KZ had been conquering every challenge in the competition week by week and consistently delivered, impressing both the judges and the viewers. 

KZ would not have pursued her singing career after she suffered throat problems in high school. She lost her confidence in singing when her vocal range changed due to her condition. From belting out high-pitched songs, she shifted to singing low-key songs. But through the encouragement of her family and friends, KZ was able to push herself to find her new identity as a musical artist. She has since been determined to prove to everyone that one doesn’t have to hit the high notes in order to make it big in the music scene.

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The X Factor Philippines Grand Winner is KZ Tandingan

The X Factor Philippines Grand Finals Results Night happened October 7 and KZ Tandingan was named as the very first X Factor Philippines grand winner, beating Gabriel Maturan and Daddy's Home.

KZ got the most number of text and online votes with a whooping 54.77%. Meanwhile, Gabriel Maturan and Daddy's Home garnered 32.33% and 12.90% of votes, respectively.

KZ Tandingan, who hails from Digos City, Davao Del Sur brought home 4 million pesos worth of cash, prizes and recording contract courtesy of Star Music. Gabriel Maturan, who came in second place won for him P100, 000. Meanwhile, Daddy's Home at third place got P50, 000.

The X Factor Philippines All Star Album Now Available for Download

Last night, KZ performed The Carpenters' Superstar and The Way We Were with original hitmaker Rico J. Puno. Tonight, KZ sang with Champion Performer of the World Jed Madela and her mentor Charice.

KZ is a consistent fan favorite ever since the auditions and throughout the live shows, KZ proved that she is a versatile performer. Topping several polls and trending on social networking sites, KZ is one front runner that never became complacent.

Congratulations KZ! The whole Philippines celebrates as another world-class idol is born.

Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN

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The X Factor Philippines Grand Finals Performance Night (October 6)

The X Factor Philippines Grand Finals Performance night happened October 6 at the PAGCOR Grand Theater in Paranaque and the Final 3—Gabriel Maturan, KZ Tandingan and Daddy's Home gave their all singing their songs. Just before the live shows, The X Factor Philippines All Star Album was already released on iTunes (click here for more details).

The Final 3 opened the night with an upbeat performance with Asia's Nightingale Lani Misalucha. Daddy's Home made their solo song afterwards taking on their mentor's hit, Gary Valenciano's Gaya ng Dati. They expressed how much they wanted to sing the song ever since but their version, though good enough was not their best of the season.

Gabriel Maturan surprised us all with his own version of Fantasia Barrino's winning piece, I Believe. Gabriel gave his heart to the song and it radiates as he hit those high notes and move his falsetto. His performance surely gave us goosebumps.

Meanwhile, KZ Tandingan sang The Carpenters' Superstar and she did another great version out of it. The Princess of Soul wowed again and the judges were unanimous in saying that she's very good. It's not that intense and we knew she can top that with her past performances but KZ is KZ after all.

First ever ASEAN Ikon winner Vina Morales performed after the Final 3 solo performances. She did a Jennifer Lopez medley and we can say that Vina is indeed an ultimate performer, a showgirl and an icon.

After the solo performances, the X Factor Final 3 then sang with OPM icons. First up was Daddy's Home singing with 'Asia's Diamond Soul Siren' Nina. They did Chaka Khan's Through The Fire and Daddy's Home did not let Nina outshine them even in belting the high notes.

KZ Tandingan did a duet with original hitmaker, Rico J. Puno. The two sang Barbra Streisand's The Way We Were mashed up with Rico's classic Tagalog intro to the song "Alaala nang tayo'y mag-sweetheart pa."

The last performance of the night was the duet between Gabriel Maturan and rock icon Bamboo. The two did The Script's The Man Who Can't Be Moved and Gab redeemed himself from that other performance from The Script (think Breakeven). With a twist of Leaving On A Jet Plane in the end, it was simply the best performance of the night. WOW!

To vote for your favorite, just text XF <space> GAB/KZ/DAD and send to 2331 for Globe, TM and Sun Cellular subscribers or 231 for Smart and Talk N’ Text subscribers. You can also vote using ABS-CBN vote cards. To vote online, log on to xfactor.abs-cbn.com.

Our fearless forecast:

It was a toss up between KZ Tandingan and Gabriel Maturan. If we will based the decision purely on tonight's performances, then the Dark Horse (Gab) beats the front runner (KZ) but we knew that all will be based on votes so just like any other results show, it will be purely unpredictable. However, we would like to give the shot to Gabriel who might end up repeating an Erik Santos feat beating Sheryn Regis in Star in a Million.

Tomorrow, the grand winner of The X Factor Philippines will be named so don't miss the results show on Sunday (October 7) after Sarah G Live.

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The X Factor Philippines Grand Finals: Why Your Bets Will Win 'X Factor'

The X Factor Philippines Grand Finals will happen on October 6 and 7 and tonight, we will witness the performances of The X Factor PH Final 3—Gabriel Maturan, KZ Tandingan and Daddy's Home. 

Gab, KZ and Daddy's Home will be performing two songs each,  a solo song and a duet with a surprise singer. The winner will be announced on the results show Sunday night. 

The big question now is who will win The X Factor Philippines, the one who will taking home the PhP 4 million worth of prizes, including a recording contract from Star Records and be lined with other X Factor winners around the globe?

Before we witnessed the grand showdown, we compile reasons why each of the contestants will be the very first The X Factor Philippines grand winner. Here they are:

Why Gabriel Maturan will win? 
by: Voltaire Muyong Valdez

1. He has the potential to be a modern day singing sensation. This boy without a doubt could set sales records overseas if given the right songs. Even if he has that awkwardly shyness, it was never a disability nor that can limit on his voice from pulling off songs effortlessly. True artists are so damn shy but rocks when performing. His timbre is hip, young and resembles the chart toppers: Jason Mraz, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake and Stephen Bishop. He’s captivating presence always undeniably radiates on screen. 

2. He has a passionate fan base. He has never been in the bottom 2, consistently safe in the weekly call-outs, which clearly suggests that Gabnatics are not just blabbers but damn solid believers – extremely 'on and on' like their idol. He has never been boastful nor being rumoured as such because he is rediculously humble. Genuine humility, even he has the talent to show-off, clearly attracts the mass that can equate success and beyond – a proven asset made the 2003 most renowned singing champion still shine the brightest.

3. Juan dela Cruz could be experiencing Diva fatigue. Since singing contest came in the scene, belting out notes has been the standards of winning. However, as the time ticks out, the market's tastes switch out and already turned to something fresh and new. It is evident that right after the popstar princess' was hailed champion, no other female singing pros ever matched nor even surpassed her shine. This only proves that in this age, only one diva is allowed to survive - which pains female singing hopefuls. But searching for a true pop prince is no waste attempt because the industry hasn't had a young Jason Mraz or Justine Timberlake-like voice which clearly tops the chart for every released single. This is the right time for the dark horse of the competition, Gabriel Maturan, to advance and be hailed as the first X Factor Philippines Winner. He really has it all to last.

Why KZ Tandingan will win?

by: Coolbuster.net

1. Besides possesing an “x-factor,” KZ’s got what it takes to be a star. She has excellent voice quality and diction, looks good in person and on cam, has on-stage showmanship and a ‘masa’ appeal. Not only that, KZ gives us goosebumps every time she sings, that same feeling we get when Jovit, Charice and American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez perform.

2. Being ‘marketable’ is something that makes KZ different from other contenders. We received info that she has a very interesting life story worthy to be featured on ABS-CBN’s longest-running drama anthology, “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” 

3. One more thing before we wrap this up, KZ never landed in the Bottom 2 since the final phase of the competition started (except for last week), a clear proof that XFP viewers vote for her to ensure victory.

Why Daddy's Home will win?
by: GoodFilipino.com

1. They blend perfectly while performing on stage. Though we all know that the four of them are professionals in their different careers in the real world, Daddy's Home still joined this competition to share their talents to everyone and showed us that Daddys don't stop just being a dad, they can also entertain everyone else by showing their God-given talents.

2. All four of them knows how to entertain their listeners with the way they sing songs of their own renditions.  They all have good quality of voice and spill lyrics with a very good diction. Plus factor is that they are all good looking dads, so they all have a guts to be a star.

3. They always sing in their best, as if it was their last performance. Even though they went through the bottom two many times before, everyone knows (judges and even viewers) that they all deserve to be in the final three of this competition.

So there you are. From here, we think that the winner will be the one who's got the most number of fans who will spend money to vote their idols. Anybody can be a winner but the real test is longevity in the industry. That's the true winner.

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