Jed, Nyoy return to ‘YFSF’ as mentors
While some of its critics think “Your Face Sounds Familiar” encourages emulation over originality in fostering artistry, Jed Madela says they don’t advise that at all.
“Your Face Sounds Familiar” or “YFSF” is a singing and impersonation competition that requires the participants to mimic artists. The country’s kids version of the show is on its second season.
Jed explained in an interview that it is plain mechanics. He said the contestants are reminded that to be a “copycat” is only for the show, and not necessarily a career path for them.
“Of course they have to consider na this is a competition and ’yun (ang panggagaya) ang magpapanalo sa kanila. They have to copy the artists detail by detail,” he said. “But outside the competition, they have to find their own image. When you are in this industry kasi, kapag singer ka kailangan mong maghanap ng sariling identity. So malinaw na ’yung impersonation, dito lang sa loob ng show at paglabas mo, dapat meron ka ng sariling ikaw.” Joining Jed as mentor is Nyoy Volante, who finished second place in the show’s first season. Nyoy promised to guide the celebrity kids properly, in a fun way. “We want to make this as fun as possible. Itong mga bata, well-equipped naman sila of the idea na nasa contest sila and the kids around them are competitors,” he explained. “Hindi ko inaalis ang spirit ng competition but I think mas kailangan maging iba ’yung means of teaching dahil kids sila eh. Kasi kung classroom-type ang gagawin namin, baka hindi sila maging masaya. Kaya kung kailangan may mga games, bakit hindi ’di ba?
They also look forward din naman sa masayang competition.”
Some 10 Kapamilya child stars will transform themselves into local and international music icons this season.
Ready to showcase his performing prowess is “Anghel ng Masa” Marco Masa, who starred in values-oriented primetime teleseryes “Nathaniel” and “My Super D” before dabbling in comedy via “Goin’ Bulilit.”
From the same kiddie gag show comes current cast member, “Bulilit Kikay” Chun-Sa, who first appeared on TV and became popular for her impersonation of Maja Salvador on “It’s Showtime’s” “Mini Me” competition
Impersonation is nothing new to “Bibong Astig” Onyok Pineda, who rose to fame when he took on rock icon Bamboo on “Mini Me,” before becoming a household name for his performances on “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” and in the movie “Ang Panday.”
“Kiddie Kontesera” Esang De Torres, meanwhile, will use her experience in singing contests, notably “The Voice Kids” and “Mini Me,” as well as her stints in famous musicals such as “Les Misérables” and “Matilda The Musical” to give herself an edge in the competition. “Inday Wonder” Sheena Belarmino is a singing pro who has proven her voice in many singing competitions, including “Tawag Ng Tanghalan Kids,” where she was named one of the grand finalists.
“Precious Darling” Krystal Brimner can hold her own
both on stage and on-cam, proving her talent when she starred in the 2016 local production of the musical “Annie.” She won the Best Child Performer award at the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival for “Honor Thy Father.”
The multi-instrumentalist and former “The Voice Kids” contestant Noel Comia Jr. or “Poging Lodi” is also in a league of his own having already starred in several theatrical productions, won three Aliw Awards, and bagged Cinemalaya Awards’ Best Actor trophy – the youngest actor ever to have ever done so – for the film “Kiko Boksingero.”
The “Bigshot Trio” of online sensations Francis Concepcion, Mackie Empuerto, and Kiefer Sanchez or TNT Boys are also joining the program to show they mean serious business, determined to follow up their viral vocal showdowns, more recently on “Little Big Shots UK,” with more breathtaking transformations. Easy Peasy Jed and Nyoy don’t have a hard time mentoring the kids as “sobrang magagaling sila.” “Nasa system na nila ’yung pagkanta eh. Ang gaganda ng mga boses, sobrang galing nilang umarte, sumayaw kaya excited kaming ipakita sa mga tao ’yung talento nila,” Jed shared. “The minute na nag-engage kami sa kanila, tumaas agad ’yung expectations namin kasi sobrang nakaka- proud sila. Alam mo ’yung pagsalang nila sa mentoring (stage), nakapag-
homework na sila. Kumbaga alam na nila ’yung gagawin nila at dahil du’n mas gumagaan ’yung trabaho namin,” he added. Nyoy sees the trio of Francis, Mackie and Kiefer as quite challenging. Being in a group has advantages and disadvantages, he noted.
“Actually bago ’yung element na’to sa show eh. For the trio, kasi kailangan lagi nilang iniisip na they have to sing as one, though I can also say na ang laki na ng improvement nila as individual (singers),” he shared.
“Siguro ang disadvantage nito is ang mali ng isa, mali
ng lahat. Ang challenge dito is to be one but iba rin kasi
’yung energy if you’re sharing the stage with another person.”
For the first episode of “YFSF” on May 5 and 6, Krystal will mimic Miley Cyrus, Onyok as Bamboo, Chun-Sa as Megan Trainor, Marco as Bruno Mars, Esang as Lady Gaga, Sheena as Sarah Geronimo, Noel as Michael Jackson and the “Bigshot Trio” as the Bee Gees.
Returning to the program are host Billy Crawford and jurors Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, and Sharon Cuneta, who will comment on and rank the kiddie performers’ performances.
Just like in past seasons, the competition will pit the kiddie performers against each other but no one will be eliminated. In every episode, the kid who gets the highest number of points from the jurors will take home the cash prize, half of which will be given to their chosen charity.