Outside, those who were waiting for their turn were whiling their time practicing - singing in front of a tree, inside a parked car, at an an open space—or the more common captive audience—their mothers.

At the huge waiting area inside PICC just a few steps from the registration table, some 2,000 Idol hopefuls were logging their names and bio-data. Hundreds more are nervously fidgeting, while sporting the all–too familiar Idol number stickers on their clothes and awaiting for their one shot at superstardom.

This was the face of the Philippine Idol hopeful, which as of Saturday, had already clocked in about 5,000 registrants.

Truly, the pop music industry has devised a version of a national elections, only with Idol, it’s as fair as chances get.

Starting at 9 a.m. last Saturday, a batch of 10 contestants were asked to go upstairs for their turn to strutt their stuff. To qualify, there were two audition rooms that separated those who could sing from those who thought they could. In front of a music expert and a casting agent, contestants were told either to go to the next room or go wait for next year’s "Philippine Idol."

Those who were sent to casting Room Nos. 3 and 4 were asked to sing again, this time, for the blue form.

"The blue form is like an appointment paper," told ABC-5’s Perci Intalan. "Everything that a qualified contestant needs to know is there. It’s also your passport to meet the judges."

We were told that contestant No. 0001 arrived at the PICC at 1 a.m. He was eventually handed a blue form.

But not many were as blessed. From the 2,000, not more than 300 will move on to the next level when the judges point a way through or a way out beginning tomorrow, June 8, also at the PICC.

Here is where the judges’ roles will come into full play. But the pressure, according to judge Pilita Corrales, is still far from happening.

"I think we will start feeling the pressure when we have cast those who passed and we will have to break the news to a room of them that all of them have to go, the way they do in ‘American Idol’ because it’s that part of the contest when we start knowing them more."

Judges Pilita, Ryan Cayabyab and Francis Magalona made their initial rounds during the first audition day.

Ryan observed, "I know from the start kung sino ang papasa. First few notes pa lang or even the way they carry themselves. Of course I keep it to myself because our work starts on June 8."

Before "Philippine Idol" shifts to full gear, here are some details waiting to happen:

• We won’t be getting too many oddball auditioners, the William Hung and the Michael Sandecki types. We have to give that to ‘’American Idol" where goofballs and weirdoes are seen from day one.

• The judges have agreed on what to call each other during the show: Ryan Cayabyab will be Mr. C, Pilita Corrales will be Mamita, and Francis Magalona will be Kiko.

• On try-out days, there is a ‘foreman judge’ that calls the shots. He or she is the one manning the judging process asking the other judges ‘What do you think?’ He or she is the designated person who breaks the good or bad news to contestants. The three judges take turns in the foreman judge slot.

• Philippine Idol will most likely be aired on primetime Saturday. ABC-5 people are looking into Saturday performance nights and Sunday results time. Both shows, of course, are going to be aired live.

• Like Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Agoncillo is expected to be the good guy; Mr. C. will be serious and constructive; Francis M will give the youthful perspective, and Pilita will be the natural comic. Ryan Agoncillo’s part will be constant. It’s the judges’ moods and situations that will vary.

• This is how the judges will take comments’ turn during the show proper (when the contestants are down to 24): Francis M. is first to speak, then Pilita and Mr. C. for the ‘final say.’

The first Philippine Idol will have to bear the characteristics of a ‘national singer,’ judges pronounced.

By ‘national singer,’ Mr. C meant someone whom Filipinos can look up to as the greatest singer to be produced in the entire local singing contest history.

"The winner should be someone we can all trust to be the bearer of our country’s name; someone who can represent us and give us that gift of feeling proud that this person is carrying our flag," Mr. C, told the Manila Bulletin in an exclusive interview Saturday night.

Pilita supported: "Although looking for some ‘national singer’ does not lean toward the nationalistic aspect of [the term], the person we’re looking for is someone who has that overall package of a successful recording artist and deserving personality aside from possessing a great voice."

In a country utterly inclined towards amateur singing contests in every corner of its 7,100 islands, Philippine Idol is more than just another search, the judges opined. Knowing that every province in the country is a treasure trove of voice talents, Mr. C. explained: "We know that we have so many ‘amateur veterans’ or in Tagalog they are called ‘beteranong amateurs.’ Ito yung mga hanapbuhay na ang sumali at manalo sa singing contest. It doesn’t necessarily mean that if you have had a career in winning singing contests, you will stand out."

The judges revealed that there is also no specific formula in looking for a Pinoy Idol.

"I am waiting for the right person. I think I will know when I see and hear him or her," the maestro said.

While Pilita and Francis M. are both claiming to be the kindest judges, Mr. C. veers away from the ‘role.’

"I will be tactful but honest; I can tell a contestant right away that he’s not the one we’re looking for because I think it’s the reason why they got me for this show."

Three decades in the music industry and "Philippine Idol" can only expect business from Mr. C. His co-judges agree.

"Iba ang expertise ni Mr. C," Pilita said, "He is way ahead and you can expect him to be technical and critical when needed and you cannot question that. He is perfect for the spot."

Will viewers get to see Mr. C. blow his top on national TV?

"I am a very patient person. But like I said I can be very tactful. I’m not trying to be the Simon Cowell of the show nor will Pilita or Francis try to be Paula Abdul or Randy Jackson. But speaking of Simon, that’s how he is eh. His comments can be harsh but they are true. That is why his opinions are valued. He always ends up saying the most relevant comments. It will be hard for me to reach a boiling point but it’s not possible lalo na siguro kung pagod ka na and you’re working the entire day. Of course, those who will audition by the end of the day will most likely see tired judges. But I guess there’s where chances and luck come in."

Unlike Pilita and Francis who were called to audition, Mr. C. was handpicked judge number one since the early stages of "Philippine Idol" production.

In "American Idol," judges’ comments have been known to sway nods in favor of the contestant. It may be no different for the local edition.

"Yes, I think we’ll be able to sway the people a bit," told Pilita who is as excited as Mc. C. she even sang "Waray-Waray" with one of the contestants at the PICC.

For his part, Mr. C. elevates the UK-based Fremantle franchise as the first real nationwide contest that maximizes the use of TV as a medium.

‘’How come ‘American Idol’ winners transform into big-selling artists after winning? You know, it’s because Kelly Clarkson, Reuben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Bo Bice and Carrie Underwood aside from their talents have maximized TV as medium. Contestants are allowed to endear themselves to the people. The choice belongs to the people. I have my vote, you have your vote. It is a people-empowering competition."

Like in the US, the judges expect that locals will be passionate about the contest. Idolmania, Pinoy style, will be a league of its own.

"It will work. Why? It’s a show that encourages reactions, emotions, debates from everyone."

That, and what are we a texting nation for?