MANILA -- A cell center agent from Pasay City won the "Ultimate Kalokalike" title on Saturday, after turning the "It's Showtime" studio into a concert venue as her pop idol Nicki Minaj.
Earning "big stars" for her spot-on impersonation of the American rapper and energetic performance of the club hit "Starships," Jennifer Katayong was named the second grand winner of the hit celebrity look-alike segment.
As the champion of "Kalokalike: Face 2," Katayong brought home P300,000 and a "special artista package."
At first maintaining her persona as Minaj, a tearful Katayong received her prize, saying, "You know what, I'm really overwhelmed. I can't think of any words to say right now. Oh my God, thank you so much!"
Dropping her impersonation of the pop star, she continued, "Sa lahat ng mga crush ko na hindi nagkaka-crush sa akin, now you know that I exist!"
'You nailed it, girl!'
Earlier in the competition, judge Jhong Hilario praised Katayong for her commitment to impersonating her celebrity look-alike.
"Alam mo, ikaw 'yung Kalokalike na talagang hindi bumibitaw sa character. Napakaswerte mo na na nandiyan 'yung kamukha mo, kasing katawan mo, kasing kulay mo.
"Tapos 'yung talent talagang pinag-aralan mo. Kinuha mo. Ibig sabihin, gusto mo talaga manalo ngayong araw na 'to. Kaya nakita ko talaga 'yung effort," he said.
"Kaya Nicki Minaj, you nailed it, girl," quipped Hilario, who was joined in the panel of judges by actor Richard Gomez, comedian-impersonators Jon Santos and Willie Nepomuceno, ABS-CBN journalist Korina Sanchez, and actress Bianca Manalo.
Runners-up
'Ultimate Kalokalike' first-edition winner Jonathan Garcia poses with his successor Jennifer Katayong, and her runners-up Reginald Abrio, Michael Angelo Lasac, John Alternado and Mark Anthony Sanchez. -- Photo by Michael Bagtas for ABS-CBNnews.com
Placing second and third to Katayong were apl.de.ap. look-alike Reginal Abrio and Mr. Bean impersonator Michael Angelo Lasac. They won P200,000 and P100,000, respectively.
Also placing in the Top 5 were Raymond John Alternado and Mark Anthony Sanchez, who impersonated Bamboo Manalac and rapper Abra, respectively. They won P50,000 each.
Special awards, worth P20,000 each, were also given on Saturday. Abrio received the "Picture Frame Award," the contes't most photogenic recognition; while Lasac took home the Texters' Choice Award, for earning the most number of text votes. Taylor Lautner impersonator Christopher Diwata, on the other hand, won the "Kumarir Award," for the most improved "kalokalike."
The conclusion of "Kalokalike: Face 2" came four months after the grand finals of its first edition, which awarded the "Ultimate" title to Christopher de Leon impersonator Jonathan Garcia.
