Following its resounding success last year, Celebrity Duets is back for a second season. Expect more surprises from a show that has an uncanny ability of making singers out of personalities seemingly far removed from their musical roots.

“Let’s duet again,” announced the ever-affable Ogie Alcasid as he kicked off the press launch last August 20 at the GMA Network Center.

The veritable singer-songwriter then introduced the new celebrity contenders. They were asked to give each of their takes on entering this one-of-a-kind competition, and they gamely provided members of the press an amusing prelude on what to expect from the second season.

“Nabigla ata ako ng pagsagot [ng ‘oo’ sa pagsali]! Nakaka-nerbyos din pala rito. Anyway, I will try my best to entertain and, most of all, try my best to win the prize. Please give me your vote!” declared Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando.

The oft quotable supermodel-turned-actress Melanie Marquez declared, “It’s about time to give you one of my hidden talents. Talent pala! Bibigyan ko kayo ng magandang show. Magandang-magandang show!”

Her brother, actor-comedian and former mayor Joey Marquez is also vying for the top prize. “Actually I was [kind of] late. I was supposed to join Pinoy Idol kaya lang medyo na-late. It’s about time for me to prove to you that I can also sing. My motto will be: ‘Every text you make. Every breath you take. I’ll be watching you!”

Meanwhile, SiS chef-demonstrator and celebrity cook JL Cang, in his edgy manner, asserted, “Para sa akin parang hindi talaga contest ito. Ang importante sa akin maging masaya yung mga nanonood!”

Fashion designer JC Buendia, for his part, pronounced that he is destined to compete, “Bago po ako nag-‘yes’ pumunta ho ako sa manghuhula. Sabi ng manghuhula kasi sa akin [my past life was that of a] theatrical geisha. [So, the manghuhula said]: ‘In order to go full circle you have to unleash the geisha in you!’ So ngayon pagbigyan nyo ako to go full circle.”

Another contender for this season’s Celebrity Duets is Filipino-Englishman professional football player named Phil Younghusband. He jokingly explained his situation, “Firstly do not be confused by the name. I’m not actually a husband; I’m still young but I’m not a husband yet. Who knows, maybe in the future?”

He added, “[Honestly], the only time I actually got to sing is in the shower. But I want to do this for enjoyment and I’m sure I’m gonna have fun with all of you.”

However, beauty and wellness guru Cory Quirino is determined to do well in the contest.

“May pangako ang mga babae dito sa competition — we will outlast the men!” She then added gushing, “Alam nyo? Meron akong pangarap. Kasi sabi nila pinapadala nila yung kopya ng kompetisyon kay Simon Cowell. I want to meet Simon, you know?”

Although she admitted to having stage fright right that moment, she stressed that she is “happy to be here!”

Capping the list of contestants is beauty queen Carlene Aguilar who also readily took part in the repartee.

“Basta maipa-pangako ko lang na hindi ako mangaaway dito!

“Mabait talaga ako and kakanta lang ako ng kakanta and sana ma-enjoy nyo yung show. I’m so thankful na part ako ng Celebrity Duets kasi dream ko talaga yung kumanta hindi [lang] po pagiging beauty queen, so fulfillment din ng dream ko,” affirmed the former Bb. Pilipinas World title holder.

This season, comprising the panel of judges are distinguished composer and musical director Danny Tan, renowned stage director Freddie Santos and Celebrity Duets season one Grand Champion Tessa Prieto-Valdes.

Asia’s Songbird, Ms. Regine Velasquez will also return as well to co-host this new season with Ogie. She was not present during the press conference because she was in Tagaytay to shoot Ako si Kim Samsoon. — Text by Erick Mataverde. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.

Catch Celebrity Duets every Saturday starting August 23, right after Pinoy Records.

(GMA Press Release)