Bamboo, Lea back to coaching talented kids on ‘The Voice’
Prized singers Bamboo Mañalac and Lea Salonga are preparing for their return to the popular singing reality competition “The Voice Kids” Season 3.
In an interview, the rock artist revealed he has new strategies in ensuring his mentees would shine in the contest.
“I will share to them kung ano ’yung mga lessons na natutunan ko in the previous season. I have been clearer din as a coach on what I wanna do to my team, sa kung ano ang gusto kong gawin ng mga kids,” he said. Bamboo never fails to remind the kids that it is “not a sprint but a journey” to be treasured. He also tells them to look beyond the tilt. “Dapat isipin nila kasi ’yung magging career nila after the competition,” was how he put it. “Care about their career.”
The singer maintained a contestant’s back story isn’t his primary consideration in scoring them as “ang voice ang importante sa competition na ’to.” But of course, Bamboo is happy to be part of “The Voice Kids” all over again. “It feels like home,” he said. “Ang sarap ng pakiramdam especially being surrounded by kids.”
As for Lea, she hopes the kids joining the show will have the courage to face the coaches squarely.
“They should know what is in store for them. Kasi for me, if you join the competition, you better get ready to learn and work,” she said.
The singer understands kids will be kids but she aims to instill in them the value of hard work. “Ayoko naman na nasasanay ’yung mga bata na puro play. So I will not be super strict na ’yung bata sasabihan
ako ng ‘Ayaw ko na.’ I don’t want that to happen but I will guide and nurture them so they work hard.”
Coaching the kids has been fulfilling for Lea. Her favorite part is the blind audition where the coaches pick who joins a team.
“It’s mentally challenging ’coz I need to help a kid not be a nervous wreck,” she said.
Because many of the contestants are so young, coaches Bamboo and Lea
make it a priority to deliver a positive message in giving feedback to a performance.
“I am not just a coach, I also give
information and advice sa kanila. Nagiging malapit din naman kasi ’yung
mga kids sa akin,” Bamboo said. Though parents play a bigger role in helping the kids recover from disappointments, Lea said the coaches do make the effort to encourage the kids, pointing out their unique skills even when they don’t make the cut.
“I can advice parents on what to do at home. I can be objective and at least they know that there is one person in their life that is going to be straight with them,” she said.
Lea tries to curb her maternal instincts in dealing with “The Voice” contestants.
“If I treat this kid as a parent, I can’t be objective, I will lose my objectivity,” she pointed out. “I can’t be too emotionally connected to them.”
On Ehla, Esang
Bamboo and Lea are glad “The Voice Kids” Season 2 runner-up Esang de Torres is doing good in the music industry.
Esang played the role of young Cosette as alternate in the Manila production of “Les Misérables” recently. She will do the same in the Singapore production.
“She may not have gotten the prize but she has a career,” Lea said.
Bamboo also cited season 2 champ Ehla Nympha.
“Tawag ko sa kanya eh, force of nature,” he said. “If you see her sing on stage parang tulala lang ang audience. And me as a coach parang iniisip ko kung ano ang nagagawa ng maliit na bata na ’to sa audience...”
Hello Sharon, bye for now Sarah
Megastar Sharon Cuneta has joined “The Voice” Season 3 as coach even as Sarah Geronimo focuses on other things outside the show.
Lea said she will miss bantering with the Pop Princess, relating “She is a willing victim din kasi so ako, parang, how can I tease this woman today?”
The Broadway star is sure Sharon will bring something new to the table. “She has a lot of fans. Kids would say na they have been a fan (of hers) and they sing her songs,” Lea said.
Bamboo, on the other hand, was not surprised over Sarah’s sayonara. “Kasi sabi niya last season na pahinga muna siya. She said ‘I’ll take a break first,’” he recalled.
Also on “The Voice Kids” are Luis Manzano, Robi Domingo and Kim Chiu. The show will air soon.