Even celebs try their luck in The Voice Phl

MANILA, Philippines - The Voice Philippines is, without doubt, a widely-popular reality singing competition with an adapted format. The show started only last year, with Mitoy Yonting as grand champion, but the second season recently aired earlier than scheduled (Oct. 26), due to large clamor from viewers who are anticipating it.

After child singer Lyca Gairanod was proclaimed winner in The Voice Kids last July, the Blind Auditions for the second season of The Voice Philippines commenced immediately. The show now even airs twice weekly every Saturday and Sunday nights on ABS-CBN.

Hosted by Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano, The Voice Philippines was originally scheduled to start Nov. 15, but the high ratings prompted ABS-CBN to make the airing earlier. Returning coaches are apl.de.ap, Lea Salonga, Bamboo Manalac and Sarah Geronimo. Robi Domingo and Alex Gonzaga act as co-hosts and social media correspondents, to bring news and update to the online community.

The Blind Auditions recently rolled and even celebrities were lured to try their luck. Actress Karla Estrada, tagged as the Queen Mom of Teen King Daniel Padilla, fearlessly sailed through the Blind Auditions, where she belted out What’s Up. Though she didn’t make it, the audition process was fulfilling enough for Karla, who got to personally meet and even hug her idol, Lea Salonga.

Children of Total Entertainer Rico J. Puno, Dorica Carla (Doki) and Juan Rocho (Rox), also tried it out, respectively. She sang American Boy, while he rendered Every Breath You Take. Unfortunately, not one of them made it through, although they got to jam with their dad onstage, much to the delight of the coaches and the audience.

Stand-up comedienne Rufa Mi, whose real name is Maria Krista Aguilar, rendered Rihanna’s Diamonds. However, she failed to make any of the four coaches turn their chairs.

Niño Alejandro, from the known Alejandro clan with veteran singer Hajji and daughter Rachel, was a successful four-chair turner when he rocked the studio with Highway To Hell. He chose to join Team Lea, who also enlisted Miro Valera, vocalist of the four-member band, Stonefree. Miro rendered Ticket To Ride.

Team Sarah, meanwhile, got former X Factor Philippines finalist Monique Lualhati, who was with the six-member all-girl group A.K.A. Jam. For her audition piece in The Voice Philippines, Monique sang her version of Bruno Mars’ When I Was Your Man.

Erstwhile lead singer and songwriter of the group Mojofly, Lougee Basabas, rendered Sheryl Crowe’s Strong Enough and later chose to join Bamboo’s Camp Kawayan. Before Mojofly, Lougee was a member of Ryan Cayabyab’s quartet, Kaya. Lougee was accompanied by her boyfriend, Ali Alejandro (Hajji’s son).

The first talent who successfully got all four coaches to turn their distinguishable revolving red chairs, was Tanya Diaz. She belted out What About Love and joined Camp Kawayan.

Another Bamboo recruit was Kai Honasan, daughter of Sen. Gringo Honasan. With her ukulele, Kai sang Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream. The third four-chair turner whom Bamboo enlisted was Rence Rapanot, who crooned Mateo Singko. Kokoi Baldo from Bacolod, who sang One Day, joined Team Sarah.

The coaches will get a total of 14 artists each in the Blind Auditions, followed by The Battles, where each coach has the power to steal another artist from a different team. At the end of The Battles, each coach will have nine artists who will all advance to the Knockout Round.

On-ground auditions for The Voice Philippines started as early as January this year in Dumaguete and Capiz, then moved to Cagayan de Oro and General Santos, Pasay City, Manila, Lucena and Dagupan. In June, auditions continued in Taguig, then moved to the provinces anew — Davao, Cebu, Bacolod, Palawan, Albay, Bohol — and finally in Quezon City.