In the deep end

FamiLea Top Three with their coach (from left): Chan Millanes, Mica Becerro, the author and Patricia Luna —LEA SALONGA

It’s about that time. Only two more days, and “The Voice Teens” will be going live.

For the past weeks, you’ve had access to our Blind Auditions, Battles and Knockouts. These episodes were recorded and edited, with the last episode airing last Sunday. Now, for our final three weekends, we shall be flying without safety nets or seat belts. Our teen artists’ vocals and coaches’ comments will be unedited. So, who knows what could happen?

Allow me to introduce you to the top three artists from each team.

Kamp Kawayan: Emarjhun de Guzman (Bulacan), Isabela Vinzon (Pampanga) and Queenie Ugdiman (Iloilo)

Team Sharon: Jeremy Glinoga (Los Angeles, CA), Christy Lagapa (Davao City) and Alessandra Galvez (Quezon City)

Team Sarah: Nisha Bedaña (Pasay City), Ivan Navares (Leyte) and Jona Soquite (Davao City)

FamiLea: Mica Becerro (Surigao del Norte), Chan Millanes (Davao City) and Patricia Luna (Cabanatuan)

Needless to say, the teens are very excited to go onstage and sing their hearts out, and everyone else behind the scenes are just as excited to bring the show to this point.

And now, you’re involved.

Whereas during the first three stages of the competition, only the coaches had a say in who got to stay and move forward, now the audience gets the chance to cast their votes via their mobile phones. More details on the mechanics will be made known during the telecast, such as numbers and voting limits.

It’s now late Monday evening, and I’m sitting here listening to song edits and studies, trying to prepare for our first band rehearsal as best as I can. Our team of arrangers has been working hard trying to figure out how to make these young ones’ voices ring true to who they are. All we can do is help—and push—them along on their way.

As I told my team’s top nine artists before they performed at Knockouts, this is such a privilege.

What an opportunity to get to discover amazing talent. Truly, we are grateful to sit in those red chairs. More than the winning, it’s the discovery and the journeys we all take together.

Because of who have landed on my team, the wonderful young men and women from varying backgrounds, vocal types and genre choices, I feel honored to do what I get to do. Thank you for being a part of FamiLea.

Congratulations!

Speaking of arrangers, one of our most sought-after music arrangers, Homer Flores, and his wife Rocky are about to gain another family member! Their daughter, Hannah, is set to wed Stanley Choi on July 23. My best wishes to the happy couple! May your life together be filled with laughter, love and music.