Lea Salonga’s advice to 'The Voice Teens' aspirants

MANILA, Philippines — The local version of reality TV series “The Voice Teens” will start filming next month, and award-winning recording star Lea Salonga cannot wait to discover new talents.

Her request for the teens joining the spin-off of “The Voice” and “The Voice Kids” is to sing within their range and not force themselves to sing and shout.

“We Filipinos believe that magaling kung bumibirit, which is unfair because we’re not all created to be trumpets… We’re not all created for a homogenous repertoire. If you’re created to belt, by all means, do it, because that’s how you create volume… There are people who sing classical, and it does not mean that their talent is less than those who belt out,” she explained at recent press conference for a post-Valentine concert.

Likewise, she pleaded parents to not pressure their children to become belters. “For parents, do not be disturbed by emotion; do not force your children to belt out because it is not the be all and end all of singing.”

She said there is so much to singing than belting. “Jazz for example, is not about calisthenics and high notes but technique—delivery, lyric, bite, expression and even humor,” she shared.

Lea admitted that there are also notes she cannot reach, but she stays true to herself. For instance, in her upcoming “Songs from the Stage” concert on February 17 and 18 at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall, all songs to be performed are arranged for her key and voice, even “Defying Gravity” from the musical “Wicked.”

“In this business, there are a lot of singers who are belting and who are celebrated and deservingly so. So, I asked myself, ‘Where do I fit in?’ I’m happy to know that I still have a place in this business, that what I do is still considered correct. Though I’m not a belter, I’m still considered world-class.”

Apart from herself, Lea gives as example her fellow ‘The Voice Teens’ coach, Sharon Cuneta, who is an alto, but is just as famous as her soprano counterparts.

Beyond the contest

Besides knowing one’s range and limitations, Lea advised singing contest aspirants that whether win or lose, they should always keep on singing. When she also gets tired doing seven to eight shows a week, she  just opens her mouth and sings the song.

“When I don’t feel like I’m in my 100 percent, that’s my least favorite song. But when I feel the song and I get excited by it, that is my most favorite…If I feel tired of singing, I just go to the studio and record. I like testing new songs; they keep me on my toes. It’ll be good that I’m challenged and Gerard (Salonga, her brother and the show’s musical director) makes sure that I am.”

With Sharon, Bamboo and another surprise judge, Lea will be looking for flexible singers.

“I’m a stickler of whether or not you’re in tune…We are also looking for ‘who you are’ and not just your voice.”

She said she does not want people to cry, so she was “super” nice to kids, but more direct to the point to adults because they can handle it. Her coaching style for “The Voice Teens” will be something in between.

“I don’t baby even kids. I’m not your mother. That’s for your parents to do,” she said.

“You can expect me to be honest and direct, but if there is something to be celebrated for, I will be your biggest cheerleader. I will be there to support you until the finals.”

“Whatever happens, it will be fun for the audience and our team,” she assured. “We should celebrate singers who are different!”

"The Voice Teens" coach Lea Salonga singing a piece from her post-Valentine concert this month.