Newest combination of coaches in The Voice Teens

MANILA, Philippines - The red swivel chairs are back and so is the newest combination of coaches, this time for the first-ever The Voice Teens that premiered on ABS-CBN on Easter Sunday. This is the second The Voice Teens franchise and the first in Asia.

Aside from veteran coaches Lea Salonga and Bamboo Mañalac, Sharon Cuneta returned as coach for the second time, while Sarah Geronimo is back after a hiatus of one season. Apl de Ap has not been back as coach in The Voice for quite some time now.

Lea takes pride in having the most recent champion of The Voice Kids, Joshua Oliveros from Antique. She also scored the first-ever champion of The Voice, Mitoy Yonting, who won in 2013 and made a name for himself in the entertainment circle.

Toni Gonzaga and Luis Manzano, who first hosted together The Voice (Season 2), are back as hosts of The Voice Teens. The two are undoubtedly the best combination of hosts in a reality-singing contest. Aside from working well together on-cam, they also exude positive vibes toward each other off-cam and have constantly remained good friends.

In the pilot episode of The Voice Teens, the four coaches regaled the viewers with After Image’s Next in Line. Aside from entertainment and music, The Voice Teens is loaded with lots of emotions — from drama to comedy; from surprises to amazement; from disappointments and loneliness to heartbreaks and tears.

Sharon lost no time in coming to singer RC Atillano’s defense when the latter said she joined The Voice Teens to prove that even teenagers who are stout have talent. Bamboo then told RC that superstar singers Aretha Franklin and Adelle “ain’t skinny.” RC was not successful enough to pass the Blind Auditions, but she got to do a duet of On My Own with Lea.

The first one in the much-awaited Blind Auditions was immediately a four-chair turner. John McEarl “Mikko” Estrada from Parañaque City sang Dahil sa ‘Yo, an upbeat original by Iñigo Pascual, and was bowled over when the latter surprised him onstage. Mikko chose Sarah, his “crush,” as his coach.

Patrick Corporal from Sampaloc, Manila even wooed the coaches with crunchy chicharon, after he rendered a soothing Fly Me To the Moon with his guitar. He went with Team Lea.

Fifteen-year-old Chloe Redono from Calamba, Laguna was another four-chair turner as she sang Jessie J’s Masterpiece. She joined Team Sarah. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Alyssa Datu, who was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, belted out Wency Cornejo’s Hanggang. After a tight shuffle among four coaches, Alyssa joined Sharon’s team.

Another four-chair turner was 17-year-old Mica Becerro from Surigao del Norte, who rendered an operatic version of Queen of the Night and immediately impressed all four coaches. Sarah later asked Mica to sing an ordinary song and the latter belted out Starting Over. Mica eventually joined Team Lea.

Seventeen-year-old male artist Franz Dacanay from San Juan City rendered Right Here Waiting and got Sarah and Lea to turn for him. He subsequently joined Lea’s team.

Paul Asi Gatdula of Dasmariñas, Cavite crooned Kisapmata and expectedly made coach Bamboo solely turn his chair. Showbiz scion Isabela Vinzon, the 15-year-old daughter of veteran actor Roi Vinzon, warbled Feeling Good and had Sharon and Bamboo turning for her. Isabela joined Team Sharon.

Zyra Peralta, 16, from Cavite City tearfully belted out Pangarap na Bituin and expectedly went with Team Sharon.

Convent boy Darryl Sevillejo, a 15-year-old working student from Negros Oriental, sang Ogie Alcasid’s Huwag Ka ng Mawawala. Darryl was visibly overwhelmed when Ogie later emerged onstage and they did a duet of that song. Darryl joined Sharon’s Team.

The Voice Teens airs Saturdays after Home Sweetie Home and Sundays after Goin’ Bulilit.