What I’ve learned from coaching on ‘The Voice’

BOWLED over by a contestant during the Blind Auditions, author scoots over to fellow coach Sarah Geronimo’s seat to share the excitement. She refers to Sarah as bunso, or youngest, in the panel and finds her progress as a mentor “most inspiring.”

One late night as my husband and I drove home from a recent gig, we got into discussing how the past two years have been such a wonderful turning point in my career. Everything just seemed to fit.

My stint on “The Voice of the Philippines” is one example. Technically, this is my third season on the show, and I am enjoying every minute of it—yes, even the late nights.

And it is hard work, by the way. Every stage of the competition is grueling for everyone—coaches, artists, staff and crew. However, seeing that one artist win makes all the work worthwhile.

I’d like to think that, after two successful seasons, all of us in the spinning red chairs have gotten better at… well, what it is we actually do.

We have become more efficient, and specific, in the coaching room, and better at articulating exactly what we need from the artist standing in front of us. In particular, Sarah Geronimo’s progress as a mentor is most

inspiring. We’re all very proud of our bunso.

Unpredictable

All that said, despite our time working on the show, plus the time we have spent as artists in this industry, there’s been plenty of room to learn a thing or two more.

We cannot ever predict whom the audience will vote for. This is something that would elude even psychics and predictors of singing contests.

As seen in previous seasons of “The Voice,” regardless of which version in whichever country, Blind Auditions are not always the most accurate metric of who will end up victor. We’ve seen an artist who didn’t do great on the final Saturday end up the favorite on Sunday, and someone who did spectacularly well on Saturday find himself/herself an also-ran.

Also, early frontrunners may end up eliminated once the audience is brought into the selection process. Which brings me to my next point…

It’s not about talent alone.

Yes, “The Voice” is a singing competition. However an artist’s background and history have as much (possibly more) to do with his/her success as actual singing chops.

Let’s take the example of “The Voice Kids” grand champion Lyca Gairanod. She may not have been the most skilled vocalist out of the final four, but her life story (which was later dramatized on “Maalaala Mo Kaya”) was incredibly compelling. People voted for her because of her talent and her history. She was likened to Nora Aunor; that she triumphed against the odds seemed to give fans hope that they, too, can succeed.

Heated discourse

We cannot please everyone.

Proof can be seen in the comments section under videos uploaded to “The Voice of the Philippines” official YouTube channel. There is a lot of passionate and heated discourse about the artists as well as the coaches. This is to be expected; art, after all, is a subjective thing. Someone will worship at the altar of Da Vinci, while someone else adores Rembrandt. Nothing wrong with that.

Venomous attacks

However, it seems the comments section takes the dissent to a whole new level, with invectives hurled at people who just want to take their unique brand of artistry to the viewing public. I’m all for freedom of speech, but it’s absolutely disappointing and bewildering when the words are steeped in venom and dished for the purpose of humiliating another human being. Just because that artist’s style isn’t something you can ride on, it doesn’t mean you have the right to insult him/her for it. That’s not cool.

Can’t always know

At times, I’m just as lost as the artist wanting guidance.

In the first season, I would at times find myself gazed at by a pair of eyes seeking guidance and wisdom. And at times, I would find myself bereft of both.

I mean, how does one tell another artist how to perform? How to galvanize an audience? How to grab a hold of one’s nerves when the next performance is make or break? How to keep one’s self together when one’s personal life is falling apart?

Sometimes, the only answer in my head is, “I don’t know.”

I’d like to think that I’ve pulled enough experience from the past seasons to give my new team what they’re looking for. Whether it’s a piece of advice about an ad lib, or how to calm down before singing, I hope I can give an answer that makes absolute sense and actually works. It’s the least I can do for all 14 people in my care.

Coaching the coaches

Our writing staff is truly invaluable.

You’ll catch me glancing to the side from time to time… That’s because offstage are the writing teams for each coach. I look out for a white flash card with instructions or information from my writer… telling me to ask more questions, or shut up and move on. I scan the set often (I’m caught on camera doing this), because the writers are working fast and furious on the sidelines, and we have to be ready to catch what they throw. They are our unsung heroes. We salute you.

(“The Voice of the Philippines” airs on ABS-CBN every Saturday night after “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” and every Sunday night after

“Rated K.”)