MANILA — The holiday spirit has officially reached the "Your Face Sounds Familiar" stage as celebrity contestants kicked off early Christmas celebrations through festive impersonations of music icons and their most-loved seasonal hits.
Last Saturday's episode opened with "The Birit Duo" JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano transforming into father and daughter tandem of Jose Mari Chan and Liza Chan.
The duo once again impressed the judges and viewers with their performance of Chan's timeless hit "Christmas In Our Hearts."
"Nakakainis si JM and Marielle, kahit anong ipagawa mo talaga, super ang galing. Wala na akong masabi, nainis na ako ang galing niyo. Parang kapag sinabing JM and Marielle 'oh manood na lang tayo enjoyin na lang natin,' kasi alam mo na.' Congrats, it's so perfect," judge Sharon Cuneta said.
"Alam mo 'yung boses ni Jose Mari Chan very tender and gentle. Ngayon para sa dalawang ito na super powerful ang pagka-perform nila sa bawat number ang hirap gawin na ibaba mo 'yung lakas ng performance mo para lang bumagay sa lakas ng performance ni Jose Mari Chan, pero 'yung idinadaan sa character ng boses imbes na 'yung lakas ng boses. At 'yan ang ginawa niyong dalawa sa pinakamahusay na paraan. Wala akong nakita na JM at Marielle ngayon, nakita ko si Jose Mari Chan and his daughter Liza," judge Gary Valenciano said.
Juror Ogie Alcasid added: "Marielle that was flawless and JM, the resemblance is uncanny. The two of you are so, so good at what you do."
Next to perform was "The Comedy Bombshell" Rufa Mae Quinto who entertained jurors and viewers with her impersonation of Aegis band's Mercy Sunot and sang "Christmas Bonus."
Through a video message, the Aegis band expressed their support for Quinto.
"Ito lang ang masasabi ko kay Rufa Mae, kaya minsan hirap siya sa paggaya sa ibang tao kasi 'yung ibang tao walang makakagaya sa kanya, kasi iisa lang ang Rufa Mae Quinto. Kaya ang masasabi ko lang sa performance mo -- yes," judge Valenciano said.
"Hindi ko alam kung ano ang pinagsasabi niyo, ang galing mo ngayon. Merry Christmas," juror Alcasid told Quinto.
Judge Cuneta added: "In fairness kay Rufa Mae hindi ko akalain na kaya niya 'yung boses na 'yon kasi girly-girly ka, dahil mahirap abutin ang boses ay nilalakihan na lang niya. Pero alam mo sa effort ni Peach. At saka nakakagulat 'yung kahit paano, ang hirap kaya noon tapos inako niya. Thank you, I love you, Merry Christmas."
On Sunday night, "The Ace Idol" Akira Morishita opened the episode by transforming into Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter.
The jurors and viewers were surprised as Morishita performed "Last Christmas" with his BGYO bandmates Gelo, JL, Mikki, and Nate, transforming into other members of Backstreet Boys -- Howie Dorough, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell and AJ McLean.
"Kilig na kilig ako. Nakakatuwa sila magkakasama. Ang galing-galing. Halatang-halata you are enjoying yourselves. 'Di ba you loved it, 'di ba? Gayang-gaya mo naman si Nick Carter. Hindi naman sa kailangang-kailangan. Pero ang laki nang naidulot noong kasama mo 'yung band members mo. Oh my gosh! BGYO ang galing. Biruin mo nagtiis din kayong magpa-make up. Lahat kayo guwapo at magaling. That was so well done, Akira. I'm so happy you are getting there. I think nakatulong din na you were inspired because you like the song and your members joined you. That was so nice," judge Cuneta said.
Alcasid added: "On point. Nakita ko ang moral support ng grupo mo. Sobra kang excited doon. At saka eto na 'yong hinahanap namin kay Akira. So happy, so energized ini-enjoy mo lang 'yung sarili mo, I think that's what's important."
"Ang hirap gawin nito 'yung pa-cute effect na walang masyadong galaw pero kailangan nasa character nasa mukha. Pero dahil kasama mo ang BGYO hindi ka bumigay sa character. Nick Carter ka pa rin from beginning to the end and becausde of that (applause) okay, okay," judge Valenciano commented.
Last to perform was "The Singing Reina" Reina Hspano-Americana 2025 Dia Mate. She transformed into Kylie Minogue and performed the song "Santa Baby."
"Yung ginawa mo ngayon eksakto, parang guwantes na eksaktong eksakto sa kamay at dahil doon ay ang ganda ng performance mo. Ang palakpakan nang ka-familiars ginawa nila 'yon sa kalagitnaan ng performance mo which means a lot. Dia, I'm happy that you did what you did," Valenciano said.
"Alam mo Dia hindi siya perfect pero napakalapit. Among all your performances my Dia I think tonight 'yung eksakto 'yung nuances, 'yung pagkaipit ng boses ni Kylie, 'yung pagka-sensual niya kuhang-kuha, pati timing. And saka you know what's obvious, you're so comfortable hindi ka na ninenerbiyos kanina. This might be it," Cuneta said.
Alcasid said: "Ito 'yung hinihintay natin. Lahat 'yung nuances. Gustong-gusto ko 'yung performance mo. This is your very, very best. You are so sultry, very classy, galing. It's giving Santa Baby."
Next week, actress-singer Alexa Ilacad will transform as Kelly Clarkson, "Voice of the Philippines" season 2 grand winner Jason Dy will be Cher, and rising singer-songwriter Jarlo Base will be Ariel Rivera.
The brand new season of "Your Face Sounds Familiar" airs on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live and A2Z. Viewers can also catch it on TV5 every Saturday, at 8:15 p.m. and Sundays, at 8:30 p.m.
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