And then there were four

TOP FOUR finalists (clockwise, from top, left) Darlene Vibares, Darren Espanto, Lyca Gairanod and Juan Karlos Labajo. THE VOICE FACEBOOK PHOTOS

We’re down to the final weekend of “The Voice Kids” and four young artists—Darren Espanto and Lyca Gairanod from Team Sarah, Juan Karlos Labajo from Team Bamboo, Darlene Vibares from Team Lea—have their eyes on the title.

Each of these kids has worked incredibly hard to get to this point in the competition, showing determination, discipline and focus, alongside prodigious musical gifts, personality and charm.

I am fervently hoping that all four will enjoy long careers and maintain a good solid work ethic on top of a true enjoyment of making music. Meanwhile, they each still have lots of school time to log in, and more hours as artists to grow into their own skin.

Head start

Once released into the wild, they are bound to face a Battle Round that never ends and compete with other artists for a very fickle public’s attention. “The Voice Kids” does give them a head start; it’s up to them what to do with it.

Coaching young artists has been incredibly rewarding. However, the stress levels and emotional investment were not what I expected. Because these were kids, we needed to handle every coaching and mentoring session with a softer hand, less harsh and critical, than what we showed the grown-ups.

(By the way, I have received some directives for the Blind Auditions for Season Two of “The Voice of the Philippines”!)

It was something to constantly keep in mind without sacrificing the quality of our coaching. I’d like to think we’ve all gotten far better at it, which should then make things more interesting for the coming season. I’m very excited!

From their seats

The one thing you’ll probably never see in the grown-up version of the show is, the coaches still coaching from their seats!

From the previous season, I observed that all the coaches maintained very calm and cool faces during the live performances, collecting thoughts for comments. With the kids, the coaching session does not end until the number is over. Thus, you see each of us mouthing (to the point of over-enunciating) lyrics, reminding the artists of blocking, truly stressing out until the final notes are sung.

Sweating bullets

We panic on the kid’s behalf when something goes wrong, if he/she happens to run the wrong way, or sings a bad note. During commercial breaks, we are sweating bullets, exhausted. I don’t remember perspiring this much in Season 1.

Heck, I don’t think I’ve perspired this much performing on stage!

Rehearsals can set off a panic attack, especially when a first run of a group number doesn’t go as well as it should. We had two group numbers last week: “One Way or

Another” for the boys, and the ubiquitous “Let It Go” for the girls.

Since “Let It Go” is extremely recognizable, there were obviously high stakes for these girls to nail the number. Up until the very last second, we coaches were taking our girls to the sidelines. Sarah worked hard on Lyca’s diction (Lyca doesn’t speak a word of English).

I had to keep an eye out for Darlene’s stage performance, making sure to soften her approach and take out the anger. Bamboo made sure Edray was comfortable with the verses she sang, as her voice sits far lower than either of the smaller girls.

I hope our in-chair antics weren’t too distracting for the audience at the Newport Performing Arts Theater that night… a friend of mine shot a video of the three of us. I don’t think I wish to see it.

Final push

This week is our final push, the final days in which to get our wards ready. Songs have been picked, coaching strategies are being mapped out and words of wisdom readied. If there’s anything we’ve learned about working with kids, it’s this: Expect the unexpected, and enjoy the ride.

To all the members of my team: Darlene, Tonton, Echo, Genmarie, Fritz, Camille, Koko, Mariane, Karla, Angel, Grace, Giedie, Rein, Angelique, Jimboy, Kobe, Shanne and Lorenzo, it has been an incredible privilege. I hope this is not the end of our journey together, though for many others, it has ended. You are all on my mind always. Thank you for the honor.

To the fans who have watched “The Voice Kids” since May 24, thank you, too. You have given these talented kids a great deal of support. And these kids have shown the world that, indeed, many of the world’s greatest singers come from our shores.

And now, dreams are coming true. For one child in particular, that dream comes with a title. My dear one, whoever you are, you shall absolutely deserve it.

(“The Voice Kids” final performance night will be held Saturday, 6:45 p.m., at the Newport Theater of Resorts World Manila. Results night starts 6:15 p.m. Sunday, also at Newport. Both will be telecast live on ABS-CBN.)