List of Protégé (season 1) finalists
The first season was aired on GMA Network. The season started airing on September 4, 2011, with the gala night shows airing from October 16, 2011 until December 18, 2011.
Finalists
These are the following protégés who advanced to the finals.
Krizza Neri
Krizza Neri (RnB Sistah) (born June 28, 1995) is from Cagayan de Oro, Philippines and was 16 years old at the time of the show. She auditioned at SM City Cagayan de Oro in front of the assigned mentor, Aiza Seguerra with Beyoncé Knowles' "Halo" and Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass". She also performed "No One" in the Face-off Round. Neri was announced as the winner on December 18, 2011.
Lirah Bermudez
Lirah Bermudez ("Pop Sweetheart") (Born April 9, 1998) is from Capiz and was 13 years old at the time of the show. She auditioned at SM City Iloilo in front of the assigned mentor, Janno Gibbs with Train's "Hey, Soul Sister. She also performed "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor and Pussycat Dolls' "Hush Hush". During the show, she said that she is dedicating her entire performances in the competition for her brother who just died recently due to brain tumor.[1] Bermudez was announced as the runner-up with Lovely Embuscado on December 18, 2011.
Lovely Embuscado
Lovely Embuscado ("The Singing Cinderella"), who grew up in Tagum at Davao, is the official protégé of Jaya. Lovely used to sing in front of her pet pigs.[2] She was 12 years at the time of the show. She auditioned at SM City Davao in front of Jaya with Celine Dion's "Then You Look at Me". She sang "Hurt" in the face-off round and advanced to the finals. She was eliminated on November 20, 2011, but was able to come back due to the wildcard round. Embuscado was announced as the runner-up with Lirah Bermudez on December 18, 2011.
Jensen Teñoso
Jensen Teñoso ("The Sultry Charmer") (born September 29, 1993) is from Batangas and celebrated her 18th birthday at the time of the show. She auditioned at SM City Batangas wherein she was chosen as one of the protégés for the assigned mentor, Claire de la Fuente. She performed Destiny's Child's "Stand Up for Love" in the face-off round and advanced to the finals. Teñoso was eliminated on December 11, 2011 and came in fourth or fifth place with Nomer Limatog, Jr..
Nomer Limatog, Jr.
Nomer Limatog, Jr. ("Bibong Showstopper"), who hails from Cebu, is the official protégé of Rachelle Ann Go. Joining the competition at the age of 10, he is the youngest among the finalists. He sang "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey (band) in the face-off round. Limatog was eliminated on November 13, 2011, but was able to come back due to the wildcard round. Limatog finished in fourth or fifth place with Jensen Teñoso on December 11, 2011.
Kenneth Monico
Kenneth Monico ("Soul Heartthrob") (born September 18, 1991) who represents Cabanatuan is the official protégé of Jay-R. While in the audition, Monico said that he recently suffered from dengue before joining the show. He auditioned at NE Pacific Mall and was chosen as one of Jay-R's protégés. He sang Boyz II Men's "On Bended Knee" in the face-off round and advanced to the finals. He was eliminated on December 4, 2011 and came in sixth or seventh place with Rey Valera's So Wat?.
So Wat?
So Wat? ("Lovesome Foursome") is the only group entry in this competition. They are consists of Janina Gonzales, Kyrsty Alde, Sander Sigurdson and Ermund Regacion[3] who auditioned individually and was formed by their mentor, Rey Valera. The day before the Face Off round, the two girls finally came back to the show as the mentor thought that Janina and Kyrsty would not join anymore since they were not allowed at first by their respective parents. They performed "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" in the face-off round with negative comments. They were eliminated on December 4, 2011 and came in sixth or seventh place with Kenneth Monico. Prior to their elimination, So Wat? had never been in the bottom group.
Denise Barbacena
Denise Barbacena ("Sweet Siren") is a 16-year-old aspiring singer
Samantha Felizco
Samantha Felizco ("Urban Pop Gurl") who auditioned from Dagupan is the official protégé of Joey Generoso. Felizco is originally from Marikina as it was seen on the television during her audition. Joey's way of mentoring Samantha is through exposing her in Side A's concerts as an opening act. With Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" in the face-off round, she advanced to the finals. She got eliminated on October 30, 2011 and came in ninth place.
Rosalyn Navarro
Rosalyn Navarro ("Prima Biritera") is the official protégé of Imelda Papin representing the Bicol Region. She sang Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" in the face-off round that gave her a spot in the finals. She was eliminated on October 23, 2011 and came in tenth place.