MANILA, Philippines - The success of The Voice Philippines last year (won by Mitoy Yonting) paved the sure way for a second season, which will air later this year. In the meantime, there’s The Voice Kids, which premiered last May 24.
The weekly singing search is hosted by Luis Manzano, with Alex Gonzaga as co-host. It airs Saturday and Sunday nights on ABS-CBN. Coaches for The Voice Kids are singers Lea Salonga, Bamboo and Sarah Geronimo, the same group in The Voice Philippines, minus apl.de.ap.
The Blind Auditions started the show for The Voice Kids, with each coach getting 18 young artists for their respective teams. The hopeful talents come from as far as Cebu, Negros Occidental, Bacolod, Koronadal City, Davao, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Roxas City (Capiz), Bukidnon, Occidental Mindoro, General Santos and even abroad from Australia, the US and Canada.
Team Lea was the first to enlist 12-year-old Jimlord “Jimboy†Garcia, the first three-chair turner on the show. The singer from Paniqui, Tarlac impressed the coaches with his rendition of Faithfully, but ended up with Team Lea.
On the first week of the Blind Auditions, Jimboy joined 10-year-old Darlene Vibares (the second three-chair turner who sang Girl On Fire) and 11-year-old Koko Luy for Team Lea. Also in the team is eight-year-old Angelico Claridad, another three-chair turner who impressed the coaches with the Bee Gees song, Too Much Heaven.
Meanwhile, Team Bamboo’s Camp Kawayan was able to include to its roster 13-year-old Grazz Enriquez who rendered Born This Way; 14-year-old June Mark Armecin from Cebu who belted out Mula sa Puso; 12-year-old Zach Tabuldo from Las Piñas who crooned Sunday Morning; and eight-year-old Nathan Bautista from Imus, Cavite who sang Don’t Stop Believin’.
Team Sarah recruited 11-year-old twins JM and JC Urquico as well as nine-year-old Lyca Gairanod from Cavite. Her roster of 18 artists includes 10-year-old Roan Isaac Zamudio from Sta. Ana, Manila; 13-year-old Kyle Bernido from Cagayan de Oro; 12-year-old Mitz Tanguilan from Montalban; and 13-year-old Khen Lobaton from Bacolod.
Starting tomorrow, The Voice Kids will start its Battle Rounds, where three talents from a particular coach will compete against one another. The 18 talents from Team Lea will start the Battle Rounds. Then, six successful talents from each coach will advance to the Play-Offs and the Semi-Finals will start with the live show, with two talents for each coach.
One exceptional, young singer is expected to stand out in The Voice Kids finals. Just like what the show’s promotional line says, “Pangarap ang panangga, boses (ng bulilit) ang sandata.â€
The Voice Kids is also seen in its respective versions in Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Netherlands. Coaches for Australia are former Spice Girls member Mel B, joined by the Madden Brothers (twins Joel and Benji) and Delta Goodrem.