Interesting Discusiion InTawag Ng Tanghalan

In the final week of Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets 2, a lively discussion ensued between the hosts and the judges. 

It all started with the judges' comments that seemed vague to some of the hosts. Para silang urong sulong kasi ... parang hindi malaman kung pupurihin ang performance ... tapos may mga reservations pala. Listen to them.

-Darren Espanto- "What a great performance. It's a great way to kick off our competition today. Kaya lang may hinahanap kami ... parang may kulang?"

-Ogie Alcasid - "Magaling sila individually ... pero yong harmony ninyo in some part parang bungi. You were in tune pero naghahanap pa yata ako ng more cohesive blending."

- Nyoy Volante - "I want you to know it was amazing, at hindi MALI ang blending ninyo, Yong blending ninyo tama yon .. pero doon sa harmony sana may nahanap kayong tama sa chord. It could be a lot better."

-JM Ypsures - Yong vocal exhibition ninyo is excellent all throughout. There were excellent moments ...yon lang, certain parts did not peak for me. Hindi ko alam kung kailan matapos or mag-end."

-Bituin Escalante - "I agree with them ... although minus one ang issue ko. Iba na kasi sa original. Mahirap hanapan yong hinihingi nating chords at nagclash sa areglo. Pero itinawid ninyo dahil sa commitment ninyo sa konsepto ninyo. Strength ninyo yan."

The comments, however, draw some intelligent reactions from the hosts and start asking the judges: Ano kaya ang reaction ng mga candidates kung makarinig sila ng mga comments like:

a. may mga hinahanap ang mga hurado na hindi nila nakita.

b. hindi mali ... pero parang may kulang

c. it's amazing ... but ...

Were the judges looking for a better execution? Nyoy volunteered to answer that. He said, "Kunyari may adobo tayo. Tapo kinain natin with tinapay. Hindi naman siya mali (yong kainin ang adobo with tinapay). Pero kung kainin mo siya with kanin ... yon ang perfect." Swak na swak.

The question remains:"Possible bang amazing ang isang performance pero parang something is off"? Tapos nanganganak pa ang mga tanong: "Kung titingnan mo ang audience parang solb-na-solb naman sila sa performance ... ano ba ang pagkaibang pananaw nila ikumpara sa audience.

Yes, a performance can be amazing to an audience, while the judges find something lacking. This discrepancy often stems from the different lenses through which lay persons and professionals view the same event. 

Common reasons for this mismatch, experts say, include:

1. Technical Precision vs. Emotional Impact

• The "Flawless but Empty" Trap: A performer may hit every note or step perfectly, but judges may feel it lacks a "soul" or deep emotional connection.
• Technical Blind Spots: Audiences are often swept up by charisma and stage presence, whereas judges focus on minute technical details like pitch accuracy, breath control, or specialized techniques. 

2. Predictability and Innovation

• The "Seen It Before" Effect: Judges who have seen hundreds of similar acts may find a standard great performance predictable. They often look for creative, innovative elements or unique interpretations that set a performer apart.
• Depth of Character: In acting, judges look beyond just memorizing lines to see if a performer has added layers and "human" depth to a role. 

3. Professional Standards and Nuance

• Strict Criteria: Judges use specific rubrics covering categories such as fidelity to the original work, use of space, and professional conduct (e.g., maintaining character during technical glitches)
• Visual Bias: Research suggests that even expert judges can be subconsciously swayed by visual cues (passion, involvement) over purely auditory quality in music competitions.
• The "Total Package": In competitions like pageants, judges look for a combination of values, poise, and potential for future impact that goes beyond just the immediate performance.