By Ruben V. Nepales, Philippine Daily Inquirer

The “battle of the opposites” comes to a close Thursday as viewers choose between the powerhouse singer and the quirky crooner in the season 11 finale of “American Idol.”

Jessica Sanchez chose power ballads, while Phillip Phillips went with an indie vibe as the two diverse “Idol” finalists sang on Wednesday for the hearts and votes of America.

By Abby Mendoza, PEP

Toni Gonzaga received much criticism from the public, mostly aired on social networking site Twitter, after exchanging views with her co-hosts Boy Abunda and Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach on The Buzz last Sunday afternoon, May 20.

The three talk show anchors were discussing the protests by religious fundamentalists against American pop superstar Lady Gaga who held a two-day concert in Manila on Monday (May 21) and Tuesday (May 22) night.

By ABS-CBNnews.com

"American Idol" finalists Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips each won a round on the hit American talent show on Tuesday (Wednesday morning in Manila), while the judges pronounced one round a draw.

While judge Jennifer Lopez thought it was “very hard” to compare Sanchez and Phillip Phillips because they are complete opposites, she maintained that the first round went to Sanchez.

By Ruben V. Nepales, Philippine Daily Inquirer

Many Filipino-Americans have been distributing flyers in churches, posting on social media sites, sending e-mail and text blasts, and will hold voting parties here on Tuesday evening, May 22 (Wednesday morning, Manila time) to increase the chances of Jessica Sanchez becoming the first “American Idol” champion of Filipino heritage.

The Filipino-Mexican-American—who is competing against Phillip Phillips for the right to become the new “Idol”—is galvanizing the normally splintered Filipino-American communities across the United States.

By Euden Valdez, Manila Times

DEFYING protests and possible censorship, US pop singer Lady Gaga told authorities that she is not their “creature” during her first “Born This Way Ball” concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Monday night.

Meanwhile, city government monitors have allowed the dance diva to hold her second show after ruling that her “provocative” act was within legal bounds.

By Chit Ramos, Journal Online

LAKING gulat ni Rizal First Lady Andeng Bautista-Ynares nang malamang interesado si Judy Ann Santos sa alok nilang bilang magiging kapalit ni Ai-Ai delas Alas na makasama ng kuya niyang si Sen. Bong Revilla at Bossing Vic Sotto sa Metro Manila Film Fest entry ng Imus Productions sa darating na Disyembre.

Lalo siyang natuwa nang sabihin ni Juday na walang problema, kahit second choice lang siya sa comedy queen.

By Agence France-Presse

Lady Gaga rocked the Philippines Monday, defying critics and state censors as thousands of fans, many of them dressed as outrageously as she was, roared their approval.

Despite the protests of conservative Christians and warnings by state censors, Lady Gaga declared “I’m not a creature of your government, Manila”.

By Patrick Villavicencio, InterAksyon

Pinoys have been known as block supporters in various contests worldwide that require text and online votes to support a Filipino contestant. But can overeager Filipino fans of American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez do the same for the 16-year-old Filipino-Mexican?

Over the past couple of days, word spread around various social networking sites that Filipinos even outside the US could vote for Sanchez through various online means such as Facebook, Skype, and MagicJack.

By Dexter Rodrigo Matilla (The Philippine Star)

If everything goes according to plan, Manila may not only “dance again” with Jennifer Lopez, but sing with “American Idol” finalist Jessica Sanchez as well.

This was revealed by N91 Live productions chief executive officer Jun Lorenz Mamangon during a recent media gathering at Chef Laudico’s Bistro Filipino in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig in anticipation of next month’s Michelle Branch and Jojo concert, which it is presenting together with Torch Productions.