The stage of Tawag ng Tanghalan: All-Star Grand Resbak 2025 has become a battlefield of surprises, with early frontrunners—contestants who carried their groups through the first three rounds—falling one by one in stunning upsets.
As the competition, dubbed the toughest singing contest on Philippine television, unfolds on ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime, the new format has flipped expectations, revealing dark horses and proving that no one is safe.
This special season brought back 48 of TNT’s most memorable non-winners from the past nine years, dividing them into four groups: Pangkat Agimat, Alon, Alab, and Amihan. The first round saw these teams clash in four-way battles, with only one winner emerging from each match. Pangkat Amihan faltered, earning the fewest wins and facing elimination, though three of its members were absorbed into the remaining groups. The second round shifted to a three-way battle, where Pangkat Alon met its end, with two standout members—Jeremiah Tiangco and Avery Lagoring (originally from Amihan)—joining Alab and Agimat.
By the third round, the competition took a dramatic turn. No longer a group-based contest, it pitted members against their own teammates in a bid to secure a spot in the grand finals. Unlike the earlier rounds, where matchups were decided by random draw, the judges now hold the power to pair contestants, creating a dynamic that tests both the strongest and weakest players. This strategic twist has led to jaw-dropping results, as perceived underdogs have toppled the very frontrunners who propelled their groups forward.
The frontrunners—contestants like Nowi Alpuerto, Jezza Quioge, Miah Tiangco, and Raven Heyres—were the backbone of their teams in the first two rounds. Alpuerto, a standout with two golden medallions and standing ovations, seemed untouchable. Quioge and Tiangco delivered consistent wins that kept their groups alive, while Heyres’ powerful performances earned her a reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Yet, the third round’s judge-selected matchups have shaken the competition to its core.
In a series of shocking upsets, Abodi Yandong rose to the occasion, defeating Alpuerto with a performance that left audiences and judges stunned. Aihna Imperial outshone Quioge, while Vensor Domasig pulled off an unexpected victory against Tiangco. Perhaps most surprising was Le’anna Layumas’ triumph over Heyres, a defeat many attribute to Heyres’ questionable song choice. These wins by so-called weaker contenders have sparked debates about the judges’ strategy. Are they deliberately pitting underdogs against frontrunners to ensure only the strongest survive, or has this format unleashed hidden talent that’s been overlooked?
Song choice and execution have proven critical. Heyres’ loss, for instance, was partly blamed on her selection, which failed to showcase her strengths. Quioge, despite her vocal prowess, stumbled when she forgot lyrics—a costly misstep in a competition this fierce. Meanwhile, the underdogs have seized their moments, delivering performances that blend heart, precision, and timing.
Social media is abuzz with reactions. One viewer posted, “TNT is a battle of heart and accuracy. The underdogs are clearing the frontrunners!”
he underdogs clearing the "frontrunners" as Aboodi and Vensor triump over Nowi and Miah, respectively. TNT is indeed a battle of heart and accuracy. #TNTGrandResbak2025 #ShowtimePangkatLove
— chardie casiguran (@crazychardieC) April 8, 2025
Another noted that Raven’s elimination shows ”…there’s no favoritism here in TNT, ” asserting that is is anyone’s game.
The unpredictability has kept fans glued to their screens, wondering if the remaining frontrunners, like Marko Rudio, will face the same fate.
The question on everyone’s mind is whether TNT has more twists in store. Could a wild card round give eliminated stars like Heyres, Tiangco, and Quioge a final shot at the grand finals? With only a few frontrunners left and dark horses gaining momentum, the road to the championship is anything but certain. What’s clear is that All-Star Grand Resbak 2025 is living up to its reputation as a relentless test of talent, where consistency, strategy, and a bit of luck can make—or break—a champion.
As the competition heads toward its climax, one thing is certain: the final battle promises to be the most epic yet. Stay tuned to It’s Showtime for more surprises in this rollercoaster of a singing showdown.
