A great start

COACHES’ chemistry is different from seasons past (from left): The author, Bamboo and Sharon Cuneta

Happy, happy, joy, joy! We just got our ratings for the first weekend of “The Voice Kids,” and we’re thrilled. Last Saturday’s pilot garnered a rating of 35.6 percent and Sunday’s episode got 36.6 percent. Needless to say, we are all overjoyed. Allow us to say, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much!

Here’s the roster as it stands so far: For Team Sharon, we have John Paul Gumandaoy, Yuliyah Agraviador and Timoty Pepito; for Kamp Kawayan, Xylein Herrera; and for FamiLea, Yessha dela Calzada, Noel Comia Jr., Peter Vallejos and Eleana Gabunada.

This season, instead of the previous 18 young artists, we are forming larger teams of 24 members each. But know that as this Blind Audition process continues, we’re being choosy  in figuring out which singers to try and win over. Principal recording of the Blinds has just been completed and I’m glad to say, our teams have formed very nicely indeed.

The chemistry of this season’s coaches (Sharon Cuneta, Bamboo and myself) is very, very different from seasons past. For one thing, Sharon is naturally ebullient, which infuses all the banter and battling. Her laughter is infectious, and the smile on her face a wonderful attraction to the young talents auditioning for us. Her motherly demeanor is also another factor that brings the kids to choose her.

All of these things make her a dangerous competitor for us. She has 38 years of stardom going for her, as well as numerous collaborations with some of our country’s foremost music forces. She’s also one of our finer actors, racking up a nice set of awards in the process: Famas and Urian have both bestowed honors upon her. For sure, she must have a whole mantle dedicated to what she’s amassed so far.

However, it doesn’t mean that Bamboo and I are taking this easy. We are only too aware of her and her success, which motivates us both to fight even harder in trying to win those kids. We find ourselves using every trick in our books, including parading down our runway and singing and dancing with the artists.

Speaking of our runway, you might’ve noticed that our stage and studio look somewhat different compared to our past few seasons. Yes, we are aware of that, too. Backlogs for recordings and reservations to tape other shows meant that we could not use our normal home, Studio 10. For this season’s Blinds, we’re in a smaller, more intimate space, which has actually worked in our favor.

Because our chairs are closer to the stage, we get to see each young artist clearly when we turn around. The setting is slightly less intimidating for each child who sings onstage. However, for some reason, defying many laws of physics, the sound level in the smaller space seems to equal that of the larger room. And it’s fantastic.

We have many more weekends of Blind Auditions prepped and ready for your viewing pleasure, so sit back and relax. It’s going to be quite the ride!

For the young artists who have gotten through to the next round, congratulations. But know this: we have a lot of work to do. Get ready with those notebooks, jackets and scarves. You’re going to need them.

“The Voice Kids” Season 3 airs on ABS-CBN every Saturday at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m.