Bamboo: I don’t play favorites on ‘The Voice PH’

MANILA, Philippines - Bamboo Mañalac addressed social media comments saying he was played favorites and was unfair during the first battle round of ABS-CBN’s “The Voice Philippines.”

In the show’s battle rounds, the four judges pit two or three of their team members against each other. Each judge’s team will have six members each at the end of the battle rounds.

During the Sunday, July 29 episode of the reality singing competition, Bamboo chose contestant Lee Grane over Dan Billano, who both sang U2’s “One.”

Although there were those who favored Lee, a number of netizens were shocked with the decision as they believe Dan as the better performer.

Bamboo must have factored in Lee's popularity and the "moment" she created for herself during her audition. #VoicePHBattles

— Julian Mauricio (@JulianMauricio) July 28, 2013

@JulianMauricio tama si Joey Ayala kung based sa performance kanina mas confirmed yung Dan keysa dun sa Lee. #TheVoicePH

— Francis Chuck Gomez (@ChuckGomez05) July 28, 2013

Just curious if Bamboo has detached his emotion from Lee Grane's audition when he made that choice. Dan clearly won that round.

— Will Cabrera (@will_cabrera) July 28, 2013

Gah. Still cant over that Lee Grane pick. Why Ely will always be > Bamboo in my book.

— Angel Louie Velasco (@AinjVelasco) July 28, 2013

‘Artist’s soul’

On his official Facebook page,  Bamboo said that while he doesn’t play favorites, his team members deserve better than to be judged based on one performance.

“1st thing no favoritism…I don’t play that…I go for who I think I can help..who I can develop…who I think has something to say… I try my best to know them as best I can…as singers, songwriters, performers and people. I know the weight of my responsibility… I take what I do very seriously…so to make decisions on one performance….on a 'battle'…I think my guys deserve better than that,” he posted.

Bamboo added that he “hated to make” the decision of choosing between Dan and Lee, but he feels the female singer has “a story to tell” and an “artist’s soul.”

He further explained, “Lee lost that “battle” but she deserves to move on… be heard… I could have easily changed the key for Lee to make it easier on her but I didn’t… I wanted to hear Lee… this battle wasn’t about Lee vs Dan… it was Lee vs Lee… Dan Vs Dan… I will continue to sit on my chair… and continue to make these hard decisions.”