Darren Espanto: The second placer is a big winner
It happens all the time. You know, the runnerup becoming more popular than the top-placer.
From humble beginnings, Lyca Gairanod is undoubtedly a topnotch singer even at a tender age ( listen to her show- stopper version of Bituing Walang Ningning), no wonder she topped ABSCBN’s The Voice Kids talent search, but her runner- up Darren Espanto seems to be getting ahead faster than she’s doing.
Check this out: Darren has already released a solo album ( on MCA Music, Inc.), eponymously titled, and is set to star in a solo concert on Friday, May 29, at the Mall Of Asia ( MOA) Arena to mark his 14th birthday ( May 24).
Titled Darren Espanto D Birthday Concert, the concert is presented by Talk N’ Text, Spinnr and MCA Music in cooperation with Brood Shoes, with guests Bimby Aquino Yap, Robi Domingo, Mitoy Yonting ( The Voice of the Philippines Season 1 champion), Jason Dy ( The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 champion) and Alisah Bonaobra (TVOP Season 2 runner- up).
On June 7, Darren will join dozens of stars ( most of them coming from the Philippines), beauty queens and other celebrities at the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City. He has performed abroad — in Australia, USA, Middle East and Canada where the Espantos live.
His rendition of the Basil Valdez classic song Ngayon earned
for Darren several followers and admirers, most of whom have been wondering how he, like Lyca, got those powerful vocal cords and amazing lung power.
“Ever since I was a kid,” revealed Darren, “I’ve been singing during Karaoke nights with my family. I would also sing along with Disney songs.”
As early starter, Darren said that he started singing when he was two years old, an age when most kids would only start learning how to talk. “At age 2,” he shared, “na- memorize ko na ang mga songs ni Celine Dion and Forever Is Not Enough ni Sarah Geronimo. That’s why I was so happy when she was my coach on The Voice Kids. I also like Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson and Maroon 5. I was eight years old when I had my first public performance.”
Wasn’t he disappointed when he lost to Lyca?
“Not at all. Finishing second was good enough for me. Hindi naman po ‘ yung premyo ang hinahabol namin. What we were after was the experience. It was enjoyable, it was fun. And it was an honor to have Sarah as coach. She’s my idol. I bought all her albums.” Why Sarah of all singers? “She’s a great role model po, very humble. She’s versatile. Kaya niya kahit anong songs… ballad, pop, R& B. She consoled me after the Voice finals. She told me, ‘ Hindi mo kailangang manalo para mapatunayan sa sarili mo na mahusay kang singer.’ She advised me to always do my best and to keep my feet on the ground, be humble at parating makikinig sa mga magulang ko.”
Back in Canada ( he was born in Calgary, Alberta), Darren first studied at a Montessori; he’s now in Grade 8 at Cyril School. He has a younger ( five years old) sister.
“I used to be so shy,” confessed Darren. “In Grade 4, I decided to join talent shows in school. Then, I joined an amateur singing contest in 2011 and I won. That’s when producers started hiring me as front act for Filipino singers performing in Canada, like Vice Ganda, Sir Martin ( Nievera) and Miss Pops ( Fernandez).”
Darren said that he inherited his talent from his parents, Lyndon and Marinel, who used to join singing contests.
“It was my maternal
grandmother who learned about The Voice Kids when she was watching TV. She told my mom to let me audition. I was so excited that I packed my bag right away. I’d been watching The Voice of the Philippines and I said, ‘ Sana magkaroon ng The Voice Kids just like in other countries.’ At ‘ yon nga po, nangyari nga po.”
( Prices to Darren Espanto D Birthday Concert are: P4,230 for VIP; P3,700 for Patron; P2,640 for Lower Box; P1,270 for Upper Box; and P430 for General Admission. Call 470- 2222. For VVIP tickets, call Liza Ong at 0998- 9741153.)
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