MANILA, Philippines — Should Liza Soberano need help shouting “Darna!,” pop star Sarah Geronimo would be happy to lend her voice.
“Okay lang! Voice lang naman pala gagamitin. Use the power of your voice!” Sarah told the press in a recent interview in Makati City, prior to Liza being named as ABS-CBN’s official choice to play in the revival of the famous Filipino superhero comic book character.
As a singer and TV host, Sarah’s voice is her bread and butter, so she revealed how she takes care of her most prized possession.
“Before singing, nagvovocalization muna, tapos iwas sa mga ‘di maganda sa voice, sa mga maanghang, sa sweets. Pero kapag naman walang kanta, okay lang ‘yung mga ‘yun,” she shared.
Changes in weather and temperature can trigger sore throat. Other factors that may trigger it are pollution, allergens, smoking and second-hand smoke. Excessive and forceful usage of one’s voice can also lead to muscle strain.
Thus, Sarah advised everyone, especially singers and contestants of “The Voice Teens” where she is a coach, to take care of one’s voice by doing a vocal warm-up before singing or shouting.
“Dapat alam mo limitations mo as a singer, halimbawa, kung masyado bang mababa o mataas para sa’yo ‘tong kantang ‘to. Work on kung anong strengths mo. Tapos, iwas sa mga bawal like ‘yung sobrang matatamis, sobrang maanghang. Pero ako naman, hindi ako against d’yan. S’yempre, masarap kumain ng mga matatamis at mga maaanghang, pero ‘di kapag may singing commitments.”
So far, she feels ever more challenged to coach teens than kids and adults.
“Tingin ko mas magiging challenge s’ya kasi iba din ‘yung perspectives nila sa iba’t ibang bagay eh. Kailangan mo ring irespect ‘yung mga opinyon nila. Opinionated din sila. Eto naman ang role namin as coaches, to guide them. At the end of the day, ang gusto naming makita ‘yung natural sa kanila, kung ano ‘yung bukal sa kalooban nila.”
What is she looking for the first winner of “The Voice Teens”?
“Kami, hindi naman kami humahanap ng perfection talaga. Basta hardworking sila, may potential talaga at may dedication, willingness to learn, express, share their talent. ‘Yun lang naman.”
When asked if her voice is also insured, just like Mariah Carey’s, Bruce Springsteen’s or Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Sarah simply replied with a laugh.