New ‘Voice Kids’ coaches Yeng Constantino, Gloc-9 look for courageous, driven talents

MANILA, Philippines — The new season of “The Voice Kids” on GMA also features new coaches, pop-rock artist Yeng Constantino and rap legend Gloc-9. They join returning coach Julie Anne San Jose in the mentoring panel and bring their years of experience in recording and music.

Coaching kiddie talents is a new territory for them.

“Perhaps, it’s my journey in the industry,” said Yeng of the perspective she will share with the latest batch of kids who wish to jumpstart their singing careers in a recent media call. “Nag-start ako sa isang reality show din (I also started in a reality show), but, along the way, actually na-confuse rin ako kung ano ba talaga ang dapat kong gawin (I also got confused with what I should really do) because wala ako sa hulma (I didn’t belong to the mold). So, I had to really dig deep to know my identity as a musician (like), ‘What do I really want?’

“The Voice Kids,” which premieres on Sept. 13, will serve as a platform for the contestants to further discover their artistry at a young age.

“So, what I wish to (see), hindi naman ma-fast-track (not to fast-track everything) because it’s not easy to find who you are as a musician and as an artist and how you will be known by the people, but at least, mas mapabilis na (to fast-track the discovery about) ‘Is this the genre that you want?’ ‘Anong gusto mong porma dito?’,” said she. “The care communication to the audience is very, very important. I’m very excited to share what I’ve learned with my YengCredibles.”

The latter refers to the young talents whom she will work with.

As for coaching kids who come from different genres, Gloc-9 said, “Maybe mas (I’m leaning towards) by feel, kung ano yung mapili ko, kung sino yung mga mapili ko sa Team Makata (regarding the talents and kids that I will choose for my team).”

“By feel, makikita mo individually kung paano ko i-a-approach ang bawat isa sa kanila (it shows how I will approach each kiddie talent),” said he. “I’m very, very excited. It’s something very new for me. Sabi nga nila kung gusto mong ma-i-better yung self mo, eh (like what they say, if you wish to better yourself), you try new things. That’s why I agreed (to coach young talents).”

The initial task of the coaches is to choose and tap talents that will comprise their teams.

“You know, in a competition like this, napaka-unpredictable (it’s very unpredictable), especially towards the end. Everybody is just so good… magagaling, mahuhusay na (they are good at singing),” said Yeng. “Karamihan po sa mga nananalo is kung sino yung pinaka-matibay yung loob, yung fighting spirit sobrang tindi (many of those who have won have that inner strength or fortitude and intense fighting spirit)… in the grand finals, (I think) it’s a matter of fighting spirit and also the way na silang magpakilabot sa mga tao (they give people goosebumps) kasi hindi nagsisinungaling ang goosebumps. I think that’s what the coaches are also looking for.”

Gloc-9, for his part, shared that “ang siguro hahanapin ko ay yung pinaka-malakas yung apoy (maybe what I’m looking for is the one who has the strongest fire (or drive). I think the fire (drive) of a child, who is dreaming, ay pinaka-malakas kapag siya ay nagsisimula pa lamang mangarap (is strongest when he or she is beginning to dream and aspire).”

Pop-rock artist Yeng Constantino and rap icon Gloc-9 join the coaching panel for the new season of ‘The Voice Kids.’ The coaches will share their years of experience in recording and music. Their initial task is to choose talents with inner strength and drive to perform on stage.

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“To me, I’ve realized as you stay longer in your work, in your chosen craft, yung fire mo medyo nababawasan yan (your fire or drive decreases),” added he, “How you handle that is the thing that matters na kapag tumatagal ka. I think what I’m looking for is na maramdaman ko yung apoy ng bata na nasa stage (I want to feel that fire and drive in the child performing on stage), regardless if the child is hitting the notes or not, but when I feel that fire, baka umikot ako (I might turn around).”

“The Voice Kids” aspirants wish that a coach may press the button and turn the chair for them. Who knows? They might also impress all the coaches, who will try to win their nod to be part of their teams.

Airing every Sunday at 7 p.m., “The Voice Kids” also airs on Kapuso Stream and is available on GMA Pinoy TV.