Almost there …

THE AUTHOR rehearses with Peter

We are now in the thick of Battle Rounds of “The Voice Kids.” Our ratings are still consistently great (thank you, loyal viewers) and the excitement level is climbing with each passing week as we near the next part, Sing-offs, and our ultimate stage, Live Shows.

No sooner had we each completed our respective teams did we start making those deep and cruel cuts to whittle them down. From 24 kids heading into Battles, we are now cutting down until we have eight artists per team going into Sing-offs.

Once there, we will then slash that number down further to three. We will, at the end of the day, have three kids to present to the voting public at live shows, which will begin at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater on Aug. 20.

It’s funny watching everything back on TV after all the editing and shuffling was over and done with. The flow of each program was not what I had anticipated, which makes it exciting even for us! I wondered how each battle would look, if the TV experience matched the intense nature of each round in the studio.

Thankfully, they did. Those watching from their homes get—for the most part—the same experience as those in the studio. Actually, what the home audience gets is enhanced with music, cool camera angles and editing, which make for a better-paced program.

I would like to take this opportunity to send a little note to my kids on FamiLEA, just to tell them how I feel about them. Kindly allow me this small indulgence … perhaps my getting on in years is making me more sentimental.

To my dearest Faye, Yessha, Eleana, Alfred, Al Vincent, Kate, Claire, Matthew, Marcuz, Angel, Kris, Nirro, Joshua, Natalie, Maegan, Gabie, Yssa, Julian, Peter, Saisha, Carmela, Noel, Joseph and Henli:

Allow me please to take this time to tell you how much I have appreciated the hard work you’ve each put into the coaching sessions, as well as the round of tough competition you’ve had to put yourselves through. Thank you for allowing me a glimpse into the wonderful human beings that you are.

You have placed your trust in me and in the rest of my team (writers Waldo and Jean and vocal coach Lindie) to not steer you wrong during each stage of the competition.

You have been such a great sport through it all, which is ironic given how young you are. What you have each shown me, besides your youthful exuberance, impish sense of humor and pure, raw singing talent, is determination, intelligence, a steely spine and love for your family.

These are exactly the tools you will need in this life, whether you decide to continue the artist’s path or, as in the case of a few of you, decide on science, culinary arts, or something else entirely.

This is my third season as a coach on this reality TV show, and the one thing I didn’t count on it being is fulfilling. Just seeing an improvement, no matter how small, was enough to send me flying into the stratosphere. Hearing a harmony realized could bring me to tears. And just watching you all was at times miraculous and sublime, as well as entertaining.

Know that I think the world of you all. Thank you so much.

Let me also thank your families for being your number one fans and support system throughout this craziness. It is because of your discernment and discovery that your kids are fulfilling their dreams of becoming artists, and it’s because of your love that they gather the strength to sing.

Kids, if you didn’t make it past your rounds, don’t let this deter you from making your dreams come true. Your talent made us turn; that accounts for something.

“The Voice Kids” is but a stepping stone towards an even greater future. Until then, I remain your coach and friend. May our paths cross often as we navigate this journey we call life.

“The Voice Kids” airs on ABS-CBN every Saturday and Sunday nights. For those outside the Philippines, you may catch full episodes on TFC.tv.