Week 2 - Live Performance Recap: Who Brought 'Life' to their Performance?

For this week's theme, each contestant should sing a song that carries "Life" or "Buhay" in its title. I was still hoping that they can adapt the American Idol themes where they feature the songs of a famous artist for a week. Well, I guess, AI is AI and XF is XF.

This night is a smorgasbord of sorts. There were performances that were surprising; some were 'meh'; some were 'WTF'. You could easily identify which would you like and which would you not. So here's my take on each performance:

Joan Da - "Gusto Ko Lamang Sa Buhay" by Itchyworms - It was a nice way of opening the show, much better than the opener of last week. Nice transformation too! (Though I am still wondering if the bangs were real or fake). However, the performance was plain nice. I am a fan of her unique voice but I was looking forward to the magic that she had brought when she sang Chasing Pavements last week. Also, I caught the moment where she was like counting 5,6,7,8, studying her blocking, when her backup dancers lined up. Rating: B+

Gabriel Maturan - "One Day In Your Life" by Michael Jackson - Any of Michael Jackson's song is a big shoe to fill in and as for Gab's performance, I didn't feel 'that moment' I was waiting for. Also, was it my TV or the show's sound system? I did not understand  the parts that he had to sing softly. The judges loved it but I totally disagree. Let me quote Jimmy Iovine on this (altering the names) 'No Martin. No Pilita. No Gary. No Charice.' LOL. Rating: B-

TakeOff - "Larger Than Life" by Backstreet Boys - For a Boy Band, this is a perfect song for them though I would still be not a big fan of them because of the "corny impression" that most pinoy boy bands gave me. This was the first time that I heard the harmony that I was waiting for last week. However, their vocal ability still could not live at par with those of the other groups. And that last note was WTF! A screechy 'LIIIIFFFFFFEE' that destroyed my eardrums. Rating: D-

Allen Jane Sta. Maria - Bring Me To Life by Evanescence - Displaying that she could sing any song genre was a great move though I desperately waited for the 'rap'. It was the cherry of the ice cream for that song but they removed it. Like, burr. It was a good performance but it was a little weaker compared to last week's. Nonetheless, Allen really has the vocal chops. Rating: A-

Modesto Taran - Habang May Buhay by Wency Cornejo - With this performance, I would not argue with the judges. That standing ovation was well-deserved. I felt goosebumps especially when the choir came out. It was indeed the surprise of the night. I totally believe that he should stick to his strength to win this competition and that would be to sing slow Filipino songs. Rating: A+

Daddy's Home - The Best things in Life are Free by Luther Vandross and Janet Jackson - It was a breathe of fresh air for them to sing a song that has a faster tempo. But, this did not live at par with their last week's superb performance. Vocally, they did good. Rating: A- 

Kedebon Colim - I Live My Life For You by Firehouse - It was the type of performance that you would not remember 5 years from now. It was a complete 'meh'. Also, there were too many flat notes. I still believe that Michael Pangilinan would put up a good fight than him, sadly, Martin chose Kedebon over him. Rating: C

Mark Mabasa - Got To Get You Into My Life by Earth, Wind and Fire/The Beatles - Let me quote Randy Jackson on this: 'This guy can sing the phonebook!' He really is the definition of X Factor. It's like the show was made for him. Rating: A+

KZ Tandingan - For Once In My Life by Stevie Wonder - Two great performances in a row! What more could I ask for? If there would be one person who threatens to steal the X Factor crown from Mark, that would be KZ. She showed the world what she can do. Her songs are the ones that I would play on the car over and over again. I love her voice and her attack on a song. Rating: A+

Jeric Medina - Time of My Life by David Cook - I am a fan of this great song but Jeric did not live with its 'greatness'. It was a smooth sail from the first stanza up to the chorus but when it was on the moment when he had to sing his lungs out for the high notes, he.... failed it. And the judges all seem to agree that it was good. Like, what?? For him to be the 'next Martin' as what Ms. Pilita emphasized, 'marami pa siyang kakaining bigas' Rating: B-

A.K.A. JAM - This Is My Life by Shirley Bassey - The danger of having many talented female singers in a group is the tendency to overshadow each other and this was displayed last night. They lost their harmony when they hit the high notes. Though, each of them sounded great on their individual parts but as a group, it was not as good as last week. Rating: A-

So who would be eliminated tonight? My judgment on this would be based on how Filipinos often vote, not on their performance.

Definitely Safe: Mark, KZ, Jeric

Most Likely Safe: Modesto, Allen, A.K.A. Jam, Daddy's Home

Probably Safe: TakeOff, Gab

Bottom 2: Kedebon, Joan

I totally believe that Jeric and Mark already built their huge fan groups, mostly composed of teeny boppers, females of different age range and gays. So they are surely saved for tonight. KZ still delivered the magic that many people have seen on her viral video of her audition. These three are the frontrunners of this competition.

Joan failed to deliver another magical performance so I am guessing that most people would forget it. TakeOff and Gab might avoid the bottom spot despite their lack-luster performance, thanks to the female viewers again.

As how the judges would vote, I do not know. I cannot comment on that as I am starting to unlike them with their poor comments.

I do not know what the hell is wrong with the judges. No drama. No negative feedback. Are they afraid to lose their careers if they would be too harsh against a contestant? But these contestants need constructive criticisms. Seriously. You cannot expect someone to deliver more if you end up with sugar-coated words. Where is Gerard Salonga when you need him? (Still remember that controversial score in Star In A Million?)