Whoa!

TORONTO—Oh my goodness, thank you, thank you and thank you all so much for the support you’ve shown to “The Voice: Kids” over the weekend! We received the incredible news that the show’s ratings went through the roof (33.3 percent on Saturday, 35.8 percent on Sunday). You guys, the fans of the show, made this possible. Again, thank you, thank you and thank you! Everyone on Team Voice is very grateful!

So far, Coach Sarah has two members on her team: JM and JC Urquico (yes, this set of twins form one team), and Lyca Gairanod; Coach Bamboo has four: Grazz Enriquez, Junmark Armecin, Zack Tabudlo and Nathan Bautista; and I have three: Koko Luy, Jimboy Garcia and Darlene Vibares. Each coach has to fill up his or her team with 18 members apiece, which means we still have a long way to go before the Battles begin.

It also means more shenanigans from the coaches as well as the hosts, Luis Manzano and Alex Gonzaga. And by shenanigans, I mean … oops, you’ll just have to see for yourself, figuring out what’s going to happen by watching the teasers at the end of each episode.

In stitches

I can say that Luis, with everything he did in the studio, had me in stitches. That guy is so funny! I do hope that all of his stuff gets aired on the show, or at least uploaded onto the official website for everyone to see.

Many people have remarked on the improvements to the show since Season 1 … my favorites are our brand-new chairs (whose designs more closely resemble those of the US show), the fabulous new set (I mean, it’s waaay cooler than what we had at Blinds last year), and the fact that we do instant costume changes within each episode. Here’s hoping we don’t get any complaints about our everlasting Blinds wardrobe this season!

So, what else can you all expect for the rest of the season? I can’t speak about the next stages as they haven’t yet been filmed, but as for Blinds, there are shenanigans, lots of playing around, and opportunities for us and everyone else to have a great time. There are also tears, as these performers are very young and sensitive, not yet used to the realities of show business.

And, if those moments aren’t too heavily excised in the editing room, we get to share our love for the work that we do, amidst the good humored-ribbing, the heapings of alaskahan, and the gimmicks and props. If it isn’t already obvious, we have an incredibly great time. What you’ve seen so far is only a small taste of what’s to come.

So keep watching “The Voice: Kids,” Saturdays at 6:45 p.m. and Sundays at 7:30 p.m. Bring out the tissue box, as there will be lots of tears, of all kinds.

THE AUTHOR and the Il Divo onstage at Paramount Theater in Oakland photo: JAMES TECSON LIM/FACEBOOK

Winding down

My time with Il Divo in North America is beginning its countdown, which means I’m now counting down to the day I head back home. We have crawled from California on the west coast all the way to the east. Toronto, Ontario share the same time zone as New York, Boston and Washington, just a few of our previous stops.

Up ahead are Akron, Columbus and Kettering (all in Ohio); Raleigh, North Carolina; Niagara Falls, New York; Baltimore, Maryland; and finally Providence, Rhode Island. There has been plenty of jumping around, plenty of travel, and plenty of sleep-deprived evenings.

If there’s anything that’s been tested thus far, it’s our physical stamina.

Air travel takes a lot out of any human being; the dry, recycled air wreaks havoc on the respiratory system, plus the early mornings to wake up, pack up, check out of our hotels, head to the airport, line up to check in, line up for security, then finally get to the gate and board for a flight lasting anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes … it can be a lot.

Once you land, you head to baggage claim (some of the walks from the arrival gates can last 15 to 20 minutes … it’s as good a time as any to squeeze in a brisk walk while pushing and pulling your carry-on), grab your suitcases, get to the car, drive however long to your hotel, check in, and get a couple of hours of rest … if you can.

Then it’s off to the performance venue to get some food, warm up, get some makeup and hair done, get dressed, do the show … at around 11 p.m., it’s back to the hotel to grab some sleep … and get ready to do it all again the following day.

Thankfully, I have my doctor-assembled get-well kit (thanks, Melfred!) that goes with me everywhere. Knocking on wood that I won’t need it at all, as long as I remember to hydrate, rest, take my vitamins and avoid caffeine.

Sleeping is the one area that I’m challenged in, as I naturally tend to stay awake until the wee hours of the night. My body is wired from doing a show and the adrenaline rush that comes with it, so I stay up and wait it out.

Weird schedule

Right now, it’s just Nicole and I who are awake (Rob has fallen fast asleep … he keeps hours that are the opposite of mine). I guess the little one has grown accustomed to mommy’s weird schedule. (I’m not too concerned, as she’s going to have to get used to the Manila time zone anyway soon enough once she returns to school!)

Well, there isn’t that much time left to go on tour … June 7 isn’t that far away. Soon after that, there’s a benefit show titled “After the Storm” at Kennedy Center in Washington on June 15 (to all the artists who have said yes, a big thank you!). And then, we head home, and right back into the fray for the Battles on “The Voice: Kids.” Back to work with Team Voice … Sarah and Bamboo … and my team of 18.

Huh, I guess I won’t be winding down anytime soon.