For the past few weeks, MTV Philippines has been on a hunt for the freshest, hottest and sexiest talents for the ultimate reality talent search, MTV Supahstar—D’ Supah Search. According to the show’s executive director and award-winning video director Robert Quebral, the concept was originally hatched in MTV India. In fact, the Indian version has already yielded three seasons and has evolved from just another singing contest. One season even turned into a soap opera star search, with the winner starring in tearjerker TV show produced by MTV India. MTV Philippines is already thinking of the future and is currently hatching equally interesting ideas like turning Supahstar into a band search.But we’re getting way ahead now. Back to the original search.After an exhaustive series of supah successful auditions held in Cebu, Davao, Baguio and Manila, celebrity casting directors Tim Yap, Radha and Andrew E. finally managed to narrow down the finalists to 15 talented supahstahs-in-the-making and divided them into different categories. Each casting director chose five finalists to take under their wing with each one being cast as a Soul Sistah, Rapstah, Diva, Pop Bro or an “It” Pick.It would be interesting how every artist is going to grow and develop with their respective casting directors since the latter are comprised of three people with totally different backgrounds. First, there’s Andrew E., arguably the most popular rapper in the music business. Then there’s Radha, former member of Kulay and one of the country’s most soulful singers. And finally, there’s party meister and hip socialite Tim Yap, who will probably make up for his lack of musical background with his strategic flair for packaging. After all, in this day and age, many other factors like packaging, timing, hype and, sometimes even real talent, come to play when one attempts a successful career in show business.And the stakes here are no joke: An exclusive recording contract with Warner Music Philippines, a launching concert, a music video and the winner’s very own CD.From the preliminary auditions, the casting directors sat down to narrow their picks to 50 people before narrowing it to the final 15. Three people will slug it out in each of the five categories to form a well-oiled super pop/R&B/hip-hop group.Meet the finalistsFor the Soul Sistah category, Radha will be placing her bets on 19-year-old Kyla fan Rein; Tim will be wagering on BS Psychology student Ice; while Andrew will be betting on 20-year-old Lani Misalucha fan Kukie.For the Rapstah category, Andrew picks Matt “God’s Will” Panganiban; Radha, Baguio City native Jhiggs; and Tim will be behind Ateneo de Davao student Buboy.For the Diva (belters) category, Andrew’s siding with bossa nova singer Sitti, Radha for budding businesswoman Ida; and Tim, Quezon City native Crizel.For the Pop Bro category, Andrew drafted computer graphics artist Owen; Radha chose former Fil-Australian boy band member Ken; while Tim says he’s confident with the overwhelming fan favorite Dodong “Dudung” Pasagad (What Ginebra San Miguel is to the PBA, Dudung apparently is to this search!).And finally for the “It” Pick category, Andrew’s rooting for Sydney, Australia-based Filipina beauty Veronica “Ronnie” Scott; Radha’s cheering for New York-based Filipina stunner Krizia; while Tim prefers the locally-based Geology magna cum laude candidate from UP Diliman, Kok.Catch the search’s action and excitement every Wednesday 7 p.m. with replays on Sundays at 6 p.m., and Tuesdays at 3 p.m., as the contenders face off and endure the casting directors’ attempts to be like Simon “he may be nasty, but he’s right” Cromwell. Viewers can vote for their favorite finalists via SMS (exclusively for Smart and Talk ‘N Text subscribers) by typing supavote <name> and sending it to 26588; via fax number 325-1MTV; an e-mail through mtvsupahstar@mtv-asia.com; or by logging on www.msn.pldtmypad.com where viewers can also get to know more about the finalists, the casting directors, and even the show’s host, Tim Tayag.