‘Voice Kids’ champ won’t leave banana cue business behind

GRAND CHAMP Banana cue vendor Elha Mae Nympha, winner of “The Voice Kids” Season 2, shares her victory with mom Lucy (left), her sister and supporters during the finale on Sunday. PHOTO COURTESY OF ABS-CBN

Banana cue vendor Elha Mae Nympha, the winner of Season 2 of “The Voice Kids” singing contest, would like to take the street food-on-a-stick that she peddles in Kamuning, Quezon City, to a restaurant she intends to put up with the P1-million cash prize she brought home on Sunday night.

As the show’s grand winner, she also bagged a recording contract from MCA Music Inc., a music instrument package, a family utility vehicle, a house-and-lot worth P2 million, and a P1-million trust fund.

“All of this would not have been possible without their help,” said Nympha’s mother, Lucy, referring to the supporters who gave her daughter the biggest number of text votes.

She said the family was still unsure of what to do with Elha’s winnings.

But first things first: They will go to church to thank God for fulfilling the young girl’s dream. And as soon as they get home, she would cook fried chicken, her daughter’s favorite.

Nympha’s victory was the first for her coach, rock singer-songwriter Bamboo Mañalac.

“What have I done right this time? I turned for her. I was the only coach who turned for her during the blind auditions. That’s quite a story. No one saw Elha coming, but at some point, I knew I had somebody very special. It’s really mind-blowing,” Mañalac said.

Shortly after the season finale at the Newport Theater of Performing Arts at Resorts World Manila, Mañalac said: “I got so emotional when her name was called. I had wanted this so badly for her. I just thought she deserved it because of the four finalists, she was the most consistent and the most natural performer.”

Nympha beat fellow Team Bamboo artist Sassa Dagdag, 12, as well as Reynan Dal-Anay, 11, and Esang de Torres, 8, from the team of coach Lea Salonga. Sarah Geronimo’s top two artists, Kyle Echarri, 10, and Zephanie Dimaranan, 12, failed to make it to the final round.

“We have somebody really special now,” Mañalac said of Elha. “It’s amazing what this show can do. Elha’s life is going to change. I’m also grateful to her vocal coaches for the help—they were part of this, too. Elha is a fast learner. Whatever instruction you give her, she hits it the next time—that’s how sharp she is.”

Before the show’s airing, Geronimo said she felt more relaxed having none of the kids on her team in the finale. “There’s less pressure now. I’m only expected to comment on the finalists’ performance. I’ve learned a lot from this season. Yes, I’m sad for my kids but I’ve accepted what happened. My only wish is for the most deserving kid to win,” she said.

Salonga, who left for the United States on Monday, said she would bring the show’s good experience with her. The Tony-award winner said she was returning to the Philippines in 2016, after her stint on the latest Broadway musical “Allegiance.”

Interviewed earlier on the red carpet, Salonga, also a columnist for the Inquirer, said: “Whatever happens tonight, let us accept it because that is the choice of the people. For the Final 4, don’t worry because this is when it all begins for you. Congratulations to whoever wins. Enjoy the rest of the whirlwind ride.”