The Clash Season 4 judges Ai-Ai delas Alas and Lani Misalucha revealed in a virtual media conference on Tuesday, September 28, that Christian Bautista was the only one who is strict with the contestants.
“Kasi, sa pagiging strict, sa totoo lang, iniiwan na namin kay Oppa Christian. Very meticulous talaga ‘yan si Christian, as in nahihimay-himay n’ya talaga lahat ang isang performance ng isang clasher,” revealed Lani.
Christian ‘defended’ himself, explaining that he was doing it to give the title of ‘grand champion’ to the most deserving.
However, though they were strict, Christian stressed that they never put “contestants down.”
“Kailangang gawin namin ang best of our abilities as a judge to really give it to the most deserving. Pero we never ever put them down.
“We never make them feel bad for themselves. We just identify na parang ‘hey you made a mistake here and you made a mistake here and you can be better.
“Because everyone is fighting for their lives right now. But we will make sure na kung sino talaga yung deserving, at kung sino ang consistent, at kung sino ang may determination, s’ya yung mapipili.”
The multi-awarded singer also admitted that he did have an attitude but made it clear that he corrected it as soon as possible.
“I have to quickly learn from it to stop it, change it, learn how to still continue to work, accept changes, and even if you did something wrong, apologize. Apologize and make up for it. Hindi ko sinasabi na ako’y perpekto dito tapos yung iba naga-attitude.”
As panelists of the show’s fourth season, Ai-Ai, Lani, and Christian admitted that they still feel pressured in judging.
Ai-Ai pointed that since they have the power to change a person’s life, the ability to make the right decision is very important so as it would not backfire.
“Always naman. Kasi sabi nga ni Oppa friend, we’re dealing with people na mababago mo yung buhay.
“So kailangan tamang desisyon talaga and discernment para naman yung taong iyon, kung s’ya man talaga ang deserving, eh hindi kami ma-bash.
“Kumbaga kami yung nakabala do’n eh, kami yung naka-front eh. So anything na may mali kami, kawawa rin kami kaya may pressure din sa main.”
Lani agreed with what her fellow judge said adding: “So tama ‘yon na meron pa rin at hindi maiiwasan na kahit anong gawin mo na maganda o panget, meron kang bashers. So okay lang yun, gano’n talaga yun, kasama sa buhay ‘yon.”
Christian noted that pressure is necessary for judging to make them bring out the best of them.
“Kailangan talaga may pressure kasi kung walang pressure, hindi namin ginagawa ang trabaho namin. At ika nga kapag may pressure ka nakaka-produce ng iba’t-ibang diyamante, ng iba-ibang magagandang bagay.”
The multi-awarded singer also said that it was “challenging” to become a judge of The Clash as they had to pick the most deserving contestant of the competition.
“Challenging s’ya talaga kasi… lagi naming sinasabi din na kung sino man ang manalo, that person’s life will change eh.
“So we really have to pick the most deserving. So it’s a very hard job but very fulfilling because I’m with the right people.”
What’s their ‘sana’ for the contestants?
Meanwhile, over the past years since the show started, the judges have their various sentiments to future clashers.
Ai-Ai wished that contestants would listen to them, which Christian and Lani agreed to.
“Tingin ko hindi mentor, more of pinagsasabihan sila. And then ‘pag nakinig sila, okay. So more of nagpapayo.”
Christian added that he hopes the other contestants would listen to the advice they give to their fellow clasher.
“…sana yung ibang clasher, kunin na ‘yon yung critique na iyon at makinig na. Kasi honestly baka makatulong sa kanila,” he hoped. “Ang mahirap, baka sinabi mo na ito sa ibang clasher, and then repeats it.”
However, Lani stressed that they have no right to “impose” what they want on the contestants. She explained that the habit they wanted for the clasher to change might be part of a habit that could be hard to avoid.
“Sana gano’n ang maging kalabasan. Pero s’yempre hindi mo naman maii-impose talaga sa isang tao kung ano yung binigay mo. They can probably listen to it or kaso talagang…
“Minsan kasi kumbaga may muscle memory na at yun na ang lalabas. S’yempre hindi mo naman mapapabago yun ng last minute. S’yempre kailangan mo pang i-practice ulit sa kanila.”
Catch The Clash Season 4 on October 2, at 7:15 p.m., only on GMA Network.
