The Show Must Go On.

Well I never saw that coming. Here I was, then lonesome and pulling all the can't-wait-for-your-return drama after Russel left for Pilipinas Got Talent, also known as PGT, a month and so ago, plotting to blog on his journey to document his awesomeness - and now he's back in my arms (slyly grinning).  There goes potential blog entries to captivate my breeding avid readers. Honestly, that was just a crap load of nuisance - A complete and utter rubbish turn of events as Russel got booted out after his quarterfinal performance on Pilipinas Got Talent Season 4 last April 27, 2013. After singing an OPM (Original Pilipino Music) song of Regine Velasquez, composed by Ogie Alcasid - Russel Figueroa's rendition of Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw, was and still is without biased (hah!), The ultimate poetic serenade for the yearning hearts. Russel sang for his life on the Judges Cull, masking every trace of sucky colds he was suffering. And as any talent competition would have it, politics and possibly luck played vital roles to own that night's game. And yes it was a bittersweet reality for me and my daughter, Simonne, because now my husband is back home.

I didn't really ask him much about the stage set-up and all the thematic drama he had in mind. I wanted to be just like all the other viewers, to be plotted and captivated with the element of surprise that I knew he would bring. And he did! The grand piano, lighting and effects set the tone of the stage together with his spellbinding voice and performance was mesmerizing. How much 'patronizing-wifey juice' did I take today? I did a few booster shots. Maybe it's just me, nonetheless it was for me nothing but a picturesque, masterclass act.

Okay what's with the then and again colds Russel seems to be suffering every performance he's had in the Philippines? As some of you may know, Russel has only appeared twice for the global broadcasting of PGT 4. He was perfectly fine two days before his performance!  Is it fate or just sheer And yes, both performances could be said as not one of his best. He's had better days for sure, no thanks to his unlooked-for and adventitious colds we both actually get every time we pay a visit to the Motherland. Is it the pollution, the climate-change, the stress of traveling, the jeepney ride (an inside joke familiar to those who has seen his audition performance) - no one knows!  The closest to him surely spotted easily that he was sick as a dog. He professionally handled the situation and braced the stage without seeming ill, until it finally got the best of him as the decision night came. I forgot his exact words but when one judge asked Russel if his voice is naturally husky, the tragedy of his illusive colds resurfaced soon after acknowledging that excuses are irrelevant - the show must go on.

Yes, he didn't get in. I just want Russel to focus now and realize the great things brought by that experience? There are so many things to be thankful for.

He went back twice to the Philippines and spent tons of time with his family, especially his siblings, proving to be the best attempt to recover lost times since he left for Canada. 

He also got to meet his High School friends - a drunken, earsplitting, sleepless, epic night spent that just went on and on about how great High School was. Ntwine, his former band in the Philippines during his teens, had a mini reunion which also rekindled old music and faltering friendship.

What about the food? With every bite bringing nostalgia of life in the Philippines. Ohh sweet yummy mangoes. His experience in TFCkat and PGT 4 was like the icing on the cake! Traveled for free, to have performed in one of the biggest television shows in the Philippines, be recognized even for the short stint, Russel's Facebook Page followers tripled, a Russel Figueroa Fan Page made just for him by his fans, his name all over the newspapers (Philippine Canadian Inquirer), finally created a twitter account, meeting amazing people, I started to have haters (which only proved how famous he was becoming), and I think your ultimate prize were the fans that he's gained who still tirelessly supports him (Russ you gotta put up). Being told by someone else that you have been an inspiration is the greatest honour.
Thank you TFC Canada for supporting and believing in Russel so much, don't get tired please? So tell me now, should he really feel defeat?

Russel Figueroa and KZ Tandingan

With PGT 4 hosts: Luis Manzano and Billy Crawford

Thank you to his fan page administrators for putting out this much Pesos just to vote for him.

Will he be back to Manila to create more buzz? I don't know. Creating a career in Canada, or perhaps the US, I don't know. Will he be back working in the kitchen, maybe? So much possibilities to create a greater experience to beat the last. All I know is that I am excited for him and what other doors will or have already open as he face a new chapter of his life.

To use the most-used and uplifting cliche of choice in competitions, in all sincerity I told Russel, "To me, you are my champion!" So what happens when the lights go out and the curtains fall down? This is nothing but like any other performance, lights go in and out as curtains do eventually go up, and so much of it epitomize life. Light representing beginning or end, good or bad, and in this case the winner or loser. Every curtain opening preludes a new act, a new chance to make it better than the last - So you blew your chance, you'll get next time. So you better pick yourself up from the ground before the final curtains fall because as the saying goes, "The show must go on!"

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.~Winston Churchill

To those who would like to relive his moment, here's the video of Russel Figueroa's performance for the PGT 4 Quarterfinals.