Selection process
Auditions
Auditions started in October 2011. Initial auditions are held in cities, provinces and towns in the Philippines like Laoag, Vigan, La Union, Baguio, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Manila, Cavite, Occidental Mindoro, Palawan, Quezon, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Sorsogon, Marinduque, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Oriental, Leyte, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, General Santos, Koronadal, Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte. [4] [8]
Major auditions were held in key cities from different parts of the country such as Baguio, Dagupan, Batangas, Quezon City, Naga, Iloilo, Bacolod, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. More than 20,000 people auditioned for the first season of The X Factor Philippines. [9]
The auditions were aired from June 23, 2012 until July 15, 2012. Footage from the Visayas auditions were first aired during the first week, followed by the Luzon auditions, the NCR auditions, and lastly, the Mindanao auditions.
Bootcamp
The bootcamp stage was held at the PAGCOR Grand Theater in Parañaque, Metro Manila. The bootcamp stage was broadcast in two episodes on July 21 and 22. The first day of bootcamp saw the judges split the 172 hopeful acts into four groups, namely: the Boys (solo male acts from ages 16–25 yrs old), the Girls (solo female acts from ages 16–25 yrs old), the Over 25s (solo acts from ages 26 yrs old and above), and the Groups. [10] All of the groups received vocal coaching from resident mentors, and each later performed one song. The Boys sang "Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka" by Basil Valdez; the Girls with "Without You" by David Guetta; the Over 25s with "It's My Life" by Bon Jovi; and the Groups with "Edge of Glory" by Lady Gaga. At the end of the day, the number of acts was cut to 68. On the second day, acts were given dance coaching by resident dance coach, Joane Laygo. At noon, for the dance challenge, the judges announced that no one will be eliminated. The acts were given the last challenge, of which they will sing a song they personally picked. At the end of the day, 20 acts made it to the next round, while one group was formed, Lucky Girls, made up of 6 solo female acts that didn't make it through namely: Alyssa Quijano, Auriette Divina, Monique Lualhati, Katrina Velarde, Jhelsea Flores and Ashley Campbell. [11] [12]
Judges' home visit
The judges' home visit was the last stage of the selection process. The episodes were aired on July 28 and 29. During this stage, it was revealed that Nievera would mentor the Boys, Charice would mentor the Girls, Corrales would mentor the Over 25s, and Valenciano would mentor the Groups. The final selection process was aided by a guest judge per category. Journey lead vocalist Arnel Pineda joined Nievera at Club Balai Isabel in Batangas, former semi-finalist Cheesa from the second season of the American version of The Voice joined Charice at The Bellevue Hotel in Alabang, Muntinlupa, Rico J. Puno joined Corrales in Manila, and Jed Madela joined Valenciano at Tagaytay Highlands in Tagaytay. At judges' houses each act performed a song they personally picked and performed it in front of their mentor and his/her guest judge. [13]
The eight acts failed to make the Top 12 and were eliminated:
- Boys: Anton Paolo Antenorcruz, Michael Pangilinan
- Girls: Abigail Mendoza, Angelica Prado
- Over 25s: Paulo Castro, Cristine Ledesma
- Groups: 5th Avids, Sweet Bliss
