Protégé Grand Finals Winners: Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino

The grand finals of Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break happened October 21 and Thea Tolentino and Jeric Gonzales were named as the winners of the said artista search.

Jeric Gonzales and Thea Tolentino were both South Luzon Protégés originally mentored by Ms. Gina Alajar. Incidentally, they were both from Calamba City, Laguna.

The Protégé Male and Female Final Battle Champions each received P1 million cash, a condo unit worth P7 million and a management contract from GMA Network, all in a P12 million prize package. They will also be part of the new youth oriented show of GMA-7.

The Final 6 Ruru Madrid, Elle Ramirez, Jeric Gonzales, Thea Tolentino, Mikoy Morales and Zandra Summer all received a 4-year scholarship grant from STI.

Jeric Gonzales from Southern Luzon was given the Texters' Choice Award, beating fan favorites Mikoy (the chinito charmer) and Ruru Madrid (the youngest contestant). Thea also bested Kembot Kitten Zandra Summer and early favorite Elle Ramirez.

Jeric and Thea's mentors, Jolina Magdangal and Gina Alajar, also received P500,000 each.

Before the announcement of winners, the Top 6 Protégés each showcased their acting skills in different GMA programs opposite the real characters of the show. Last week the Top 6 also performed on Protégé stage the challenges threw into them by the judges.

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Protégé 7th Elimination Night: Japs de Luna Eliminated (October 7)

North and Central Luzon Protégé Japs de Luna was eliminated during the 7th elimination night of GMA-7's Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break on Sunday, October 7. Japs, dubbed as the 'Hataw Kid' was sent home after getting the lowest text votes and judges' score.

Japs was originally the protégé of eliminated mentor Ricky Davao but due to the twist of the show, his mentor had to let go one of his protégés and mentor Ricky chose Shelly Hipolito to stay under his care. He then became the protégé of Roderick Paulate.

With Japs de Luna's elimination, mentor Roderick Paulate has now only one protégé left, tied with Phillip Salvador.  Meanwhile, mentors Jolina Magdangal and Gina Alajar each have two left still.

Now, the battle gets tougher as there were only 6 Protégés left in the competition. They are:

Roderick Paulate's Protégés - Elle Ramirez

Gina Alajar's Protégés - Zandra Summer and Thea Tolentino

Jolina Magdangal's Protégés - Mikoy Morales and Jeric Gonzales

Phillip Salvador's Protégé - Ruru Madrid

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Protégé 6th Elimination Night: Bryan Benedict Eliminated (September 30)

Visayas Protégé Bryan Benedict was eliminated during the 6th elimination night of GMA-7's Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break on Sunday, September 30. Bryan was sent home after getting the lowest text votes and judges' score.

Bryan was originally the protégé of Jolina Magdangal but due to the twist of the show, her mentor had to let go one of her protégés and mentor Jolina chose Mikoy Morales to stay under her guidance. He then became the  protégé of Ricky Davao.

With Bryan Benedict's elimination, mentor Ricky Davao will also have to say goodbye since Bryan is the only one he has left. Last week, his other  protégé, Shelley Hipolito was already eliminated. 

Mentor Ricky told Bryan that it was not the end and said that he hopes to work with him sooner. Bryan was tagged as the future action drama actor.

Now, the battle gets tougher as there were only 7 Protégés were left in the competition. They are:

Roderick Paulate's Protégés - Elle Ramirez and Japs de Luna

Gina Alajar's Protégés - Zandra Summer and Thea Tolentino

Jolina Magdangal's Protégés - Mikoy Morales and Jeric Gonzales

Phillip Salvador's Protégé - Ruru Madrid

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Protégé 5th Elimination Night: Shelly Hipolito Eliminated (September 23)

North and Central Luzon Protégé Shelly Hipolito was eliminated during the 5th elimination night of GMA-7's Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break on Sunday, September 23. Shelly was sent home after getting the lowest text votes and judges' score.

Before Shelly was sent home, the Top 9 protégés were grouped into three and the members of each group had the privilege to perform with a popular Kapuso star.

The first group comprised of Thea Tolentino and Alden Richards, Japs de Luna and Winwyn Marquez and  Bryan Benedict and Kris Bernal did their own interpretation of the biggest hits of Black Eyed Peas.

The second group showcased its fun and quirky side in a production number featuring the songs of Katy Perry. Group two is composed of Mikoy Morales and Julie Anne San Jose, Elle Ramirez and Mark Herras and Ruru Madrid and Barbie Forteza.

Meanwhile, Shelly belonged to the third group which performed David Guetta songs to interpret the different levels of romance. She was partnered with Rocco Nacino. Other members of the alliance were Zandra Summer and Aljur Abrenica and Jeric Gonzales and Louise delos Reyes.

With Shelly Hipolito's elimination, only 8 Protégés were left in the competition. They are:

Roderick Paulate's Protégés - Elle Ramirez and Japs de Luna
Ricky Davao's Protégés - Bryan Benedict
Gina Alajar's Protégés - Zandra Summer and Thea Tolentino
Jolina Magdangal's Protégés - Mikoy Morales and Jeric Gonzales
Phillip Salvador's Protégé - Ruru Madrid

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.

Protégé 4th Elimination Night: Arny Ross Eliminated (September 16)

Southern Luzon Protégé Arny Ross was eliminated during the 4th elimination night of GMA-7's Protégé: The Battle for the Big Artista Break on Sunday, September 16. Arny was sent home after getting the lowest text votes and judges' score.

Before Arny was sent home, the Protégés performed with their respective mentors in an acting and stage piece in front of the judges and the live audience.

The 4th elimination night followed the Protégé Shock two weeks ago wherein four Protégés were eliminated and reshuffling and even distribution of the Protégés per mentor happened. Arny, previously mentored by Gina Alajar was chosen by Phillip Salvador along with his retained Protégé Ruru Madrid.

With Arny Ross' elimination, only 9 Protégés were left in the competition. They are:

Roderick Paulate's Protégés - Elle Ramirez and Japs de Luna

Ricky Davao's Protégés - Shelly Hipolito and Bryan Benedict

Gina Alajar's Protégés - Zandra Summer and Thea Tolentino

Jolina Magdangal's Protégés - Mikoy Morales and Jeric Gonzales

Phillip Salvador's Protégé - Ruru Madrid

For more Kapamilya updates follow/like BIDA KAPAMILYA on Twitter and Facebook.