Changing things up

MORISSETTE Amon

It’s unbelievable… only two more weekends of “The Voice of the Philippines” left! I believe this Sunday is going to be the most difficult one for us coaches, because it will be the last time that we get to be actively involved in the selection process.

We each now have two artists: apl.de.ap has Janice Javier and Thor; Sarah Geronimo has Morissette Amon and Klarisse de Guzman; Bamboo has Paolo Onesa and Myk Perez; and I have Radha and Mitoy. It’s going to be a fight to the finish.

Speaking of a fight, there is more to the saga of the artists of “The Voice” at this stage. Our Saturday show will now be live, at Resorts World, and will feature the artists of each team battling each other. That’s right, one song, on one stage.

There will be four performances this Saturday, four brand-new, head-to-head battles: Janice vs Thor, Morissette vs Klarisse, Paolo vs Myk, Radha vs Mitoy. These are pairings that were not possible in the Battle Rounds many weeks ago, but now here they are! (My stomach hurts just thinking about it.)

After each pair performs, the coaches get to comment. We are coming down to the wire, and getting there in grand fashion.

Test of stamina

Staying in the show has been a test of stamina as well as of musical talent and artistry for the singers. There are band rehearsals, stage rehearsals, coaching sessions, vocal health maintenance, and costume fittings plus these brand-new Battle Rounds within the Live Shows. Add to that whatever gigs the artists have during the week, and you’ve got potentially exhausted singers by the time Sunday comes.

Not that we’ve had a problem, to be honest. It seems as though everyone is well-prepared and ready for everything at each stage of the Live Shows, knowing full well that, with each Sunday that rolls around, it could possibly be their last hurrah on that stage.

Truth be told, this competition is probably one of the toughest tests they’ll have to put themselves through, and I’m very happy that the eight singers left are some of the toughest human beings I’ve met, each having faced some of life’s more difficult trials.

It has been such a joy to be part of the journey of every artist who’s been a member of my team. I’m also thankful that many of the artists who have left us in the Battles and Live Shows still come to visit us at Resorts World to support the team members who are still around (regulars include RJ de la Fuente, Marissa Saroca and Cara Manglapus, with occasional appearances by Japs Mendoza, Nicole Parada, Deb Victa, Gab Ramos, Talia Reyes and Yuki Ito).

It’s been quite a trip for me. Coaching isn’t always an easy thing, as there are times when I start scratching my head thinking, “What do I say to this person that will make total sense right now, for this moment and for this song?”

Sometimes, ruminating on a song helps … at other times, active discussions with the artist in person, by text, or even Facebook is more helpful. At times scary, exciting, and always fulfilling, this is a ride that I’m only too happy to be on.

Coming shows

That said, however, I’m looking forward to returning to my normal life … as a performer.

There are shows lined up! On Oct. 5, 8 p.m., the round of concerts begins again, with a show in San Francisco at Nourse Auditorium at Cityarts to benefit PhilDev (headed by Dado Banatao); followed by a repeat of “The Legends and the Classics,” also starring Lisa Macuja and Cecile Licad, at the CCP Main Theater on Oct. 12 and 13 with Gerard Salonga conducting the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. Then I whip right back to the United States for “Kapamilya GO” along with Bamboo, Yeng Constantino, Sam Milby, Cristine Reyes, Gerald Anderson and Maja Salvador on Oct. 18 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and on Oct. 20 at Great America in Santa Clara, California. (There are more shows to be scheduled, so keep watching this space for updates.)

This means that this time, I’m studying music for myself, and not for other artists. It’s my own voice that I’ll need to hear; I won’t have to figure out what sounds great for another person. I mean, I know what I like … but will my choices for someone else jibe with their tastes? Will they enjoy what I’ve chosen? Will the guesswork ever end?

Well, my job as Coach Lea is nearly through for this first season … songs for my remaining artists have been picked, all the way through to the Grand Finale on Sept. 29.

Who’ll be left standing as the representatives of each team on Grand Finals day? On Sunday night, we’ll all find out, won’t we?

“The Voice of the Philippines” airs on ABS-CBN, Saturday, 9 p.m. after “Maalala Mo Kaya,” and on Sunday at 8 p.m. after “Rated K.” It can also be viewed on www.iwantv.com.ph and, for Kapamilyas abroad, on TFC.

Tickets to the Saturday show will be sold for P200 each for the benefit of Payatas Children’s Choir. Tickets available at Resorts World or ABS-CBN.