The X Factor Philippines has tremendously earned raves via boobtubes and social media. The internationally-based talent search has gained constant followers and still acquiring a huge number of viewers as the weeks pass by. 

ABS-CBN has brought this program to the Philippines to conscientiously search for the next multi-media superstar. The program appears to be not just a battle of charisma, stage presence and unique vocal prowess but also a personal battle to overcome their lifelong struggles that might have driven them off course from realizing their dream of making it in the music industry.

The X Factor Final 6 were presented to the press just recently comprising of Jeric Medina, Gabriel Maturan, Kedebon Colim, Allen Sta. Maria, KZ Tandingan and Daddy’s Home composed of Allan Silonga, Herbert Silonga, Eric Dacanay and Jerome Icatar.

Here’s a soft background of the six X Factor Ph’s finalists, first, (in no particular order) Jeric who’s from Parañaque had been battling weight problems since he was a kid but was driven to lose weight and he has now shed off 70 lbs. gaining more confidence and very much ready to pursue his dream of becoming a music artist. Second from the list is Gabriel or Gab of Dapitan City who profoundly confessed that he had three men he considered fathers. And as far as he is concerned, he remembers his mom visiting the house of the late “Perry Como of the Philippines,” Diomedes Maturan who had gained stardom in the late 50’s. Diomedes was believed to be Gab’s grandfather.

Third from the list is Allen, the youngest finalist from Nueva Ecija who had been struggling from poverty and been joining various singing contests in order to support her studies and buy stuff for herself. This young talent confesses that she never became champion in all the singing contests she’d joined. Next is the all-male group, Daddy’s Home, all daddies, all professionals and aged above 31. These pillars of the family are facing a fight against time as their shot at making in the industry tends to be shorter than the rest of the younger contenders. Between singing career and work, they’ve daringly opted to choose the former with hope of penetrating the mainstream scene.

Scene-stealer KZ Tandingan hails from Digos City. She is very much determined to really get the title as the first X Factor Philippines champion. Her throat history hasn’t been a hindrance to her singing career as a band singer; instead, she has finally searched a unique singing style and has learned to enhance that; she’s willing to prove that the country’s music industry is not just for belters, smooth-skinned and pretty artists.

And last but definitely not the least, is the gutsy Kedebon Colim of Cebu. This 19 year-old comedic, bubbly and one of a kind lad who was described by his family and friends as strong and hardworking has been struggling with poverty and been in a situation where insults and bashes are being thrown to him since he’d gained familiarity as well as popularity in the contest. But last Sunday, September 16, 2012, Kedebon and Daddy’s Home were placed in the bottom two. Due to the constraints to his number of votes and luck as we may consider, Kedebon has bid goodbye to his fellow X Factor Ph finalists, mentor/ judge Martin Nievera, other mentors and judges Gary Valenciano, Charice Pempengco and Ms. Pilita Corrales.

Martin Nievera mentors Jeric, Gabriel and the Kedebon whom Martin has grown fond of considering him like a "son." :)); while Charice still has two aces, KZ and Allen; Gary V. mentors Daddy's Home. Fourth judge-mentor Pilita Corrales' mentees were unfortunately eliminated from the competition and didn't make it to the final 6, thus, this prompted Ms. Pilita to judge the remaining contestants much easier, according to her since she doesn't have any mentees left. 

X Factor Philippines host KC Concepcion

X Factor Philippines Final 6 is now trimmed down to 5. Who among them will become the country’s very first X Factor Philippines grand winner? Whose “X factor” will win over viewers and judge-mentors hearts?

If you really wanna save your X Factor faves from being eliminated, do VOTE after their performances every Saturday simply by texting XF<space>JERIC/GAB/ALLEN/KZ/DAD and send it to 2331 for Globe and Sun subscribers and 231 for Smart and Talk 'n Text subscribers. 

The much awaited finals of the X Factor Philippines is definitely fast approaching, so better not miss the country's biggest and grandest musical event of the year with KC Concepcion as host, airing every Saturday, after "MMK," and every Sunday, after "Sarah G Live!" on ABS-CBN. Please follow the show's official Twitter account @thexfactorphil and hope you'll like its official Facebook page XFactorPhOfficial

If you wanna see Kedebon's performance at their Press presentation, please do check this out! 

One Direction’s US success continues this week as their debut single “What Makes You Beautiful” passes 2 million digital sales and has been certified double platinum by the RIAA. Their BRIT Award winning debut single, “What Makes You Beautiful” sold more than 131,000 copies in the US in its first week, debuting at #12 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart. Their #28 debut on the Billboard Hot 100 marked the highest debut from a British Group since the Spice Girls in 1998. 

The Up All Night: The Live Tour DVD is now available. The live DVD features a 73 minute concert of their hit songs, plus never before seen, behind the scenes footage and three music videos (“What Makes You Beautiful,” “Gotta Be You” and “One Thing.” For more information visit: http://smarturl.it/1DUANDVD

British-Irish band One Direction are currently writing and recording their forthcoming second album.

UP ALL NIGHT debut album is available now: http://smarturl.it/1DUANDIG