Blind Auditions, Battles and Knockouts are all over. Starting Saturday, Jan. 24, we are going live.
Everyone is very excited for this next round of competitions in this second season of our television show. Everyone’s songs have been arranged, the band has rehearsed with all the singers, the coaches have given whatever pieces of advice they can, and are now holding the hands of their wards as they inch towards the Grand Finale on March 1 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila.
Twice weekly
The live shows will proceed as they did last season except that, this time, we will appear not just once a week, but twice. Competitions will now take place Saturdays; the results revealed Sundays.
I shall be absent for one telecast as I will perform with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra on Friday, Jan. 30 and Saturday, Jan. 31 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall, both at 8 p.m.; and on Sunday, Feb. 1 at 3 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. at the Tsuen Wan Town Hall Auditorium.
But only physically absent, as I shall be streamed live from Hong Kong on that Sunday to “attend” the results show. The Saturday show will be prerecorded, and I shall be sitting comfortably in my chair. Your votes will not be affected in any way, rest assured.
Anyway… over the Christmas break, all the team members selected their songs with the help of their coaches, songs that will hopefully endear them to the public watching them both in the venue and via television. At this stage of the game, it is too early to say which team will take it home this year. Everyone on every team deserves the title. That’s how good and driven they all are, and no one is taking any point of this competition for granted.
Many of them are artists who have been making the rounds in bars and clubs; others have performed only in far-flung regions of the country. For a few, there were struggles with drugs or alcohol. There are backup singers now wanting to take center stage.
Eyes on the prize
OFWs, office workers, balikbayans, singing contest regulars, songwriters, musicians, young upstarts, older veterans—every single one has his/her eyes on the prize. On March 1, we will crown a new winner. For sure, I shall be on the edge of my seat.
To everyone, thank you for blessing us with your voices. You are all champions. Sing your hearts out and compete with grace. And, above all else, have a great time!
Let me introduce you to all the teams, the artists that you will be watching starting this Saturday:
Team Apl: Alisah Bonaobra, Mackie Cao, Suy Galvez, Bradley Holmes, Daryl Ong and Ferns Tosco.
Team Sarah: Kokoi Baldo, Poppert Bernadas, Mark Douglas Dagal, Jason Dy, Jason Fernandez and Monique Lualhati.
Team Bamboo: Tanya Diaz, Kai Honasan, Arnee Hidalgo, Rita Martinez, Karlo Mojica and Rence Lee Rapanot.
Team Lea: Nino Alejandro, Casper Blancaflor, Leah Patricio, Timothy Pavino, Abbey Pineda and Miro Valera.
“The Voice of the Philippines” airs every Saturday after “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” and every Sunday after “Rated K” on ABS-CBN.