Dutch-Pinay wows judges in Holland's The Voice Kids

NETHERLANDS - Twelve-year-old Filipino-Dutch girl Katrina Manaog made it to the second round of The Voice Kids in the Netherlands.

After battling it out with teammates Bodine Hilhorst and Marlies Venderbos in a trio performance of Rihanna’s popular song "Unfaithful", Manaog was chosen by three judges Nick Schilder, Simon Keizer and Angela Groothuizen. This meant she qualified for the next round of the competition.



Although another judge Marco Borsato did not choose her, he compared Manaog's singing prowess like that of hurricane Katrina's whirlwind.

Manaog, who is part of Nick and Simon's team, was chosen during the sing off to represent the team, together with Isabel Provoost, in the final battle to be held on February 21, 2014.

“I still haven’t fully realized it yet (that I won) but probably when I am already in bed. I am going to prepare and practice a lot (for the finals),” said Manaog during the post-battle interview.

Right from her very first performance, Manaog already impressed the judges. She nailed the blind audition with flying colors with her rendition of Whitney Houston’s hit "I Have Nothing". All four judges turned their chairs around and praised her performance. She also got a standing ovation from the audience.




Schilder remarked that Manaog is very talented and possess an enormous voice for a girl of such a young age.

“In this sort of auditions, particularly in this exceptional audition, I am very grateful that I am sitting in this chair. Thank you for that. What’s more exceptional is that, you sang the most difficult parts effortlessly. But the easier part, there something went wrong. And those parts where we would like to help you,” said Schilder’s duo Keizer, talking to Manaog after her performance at the blind audition.

Manaog lives in Zaandam, the Netherlands and takes up lessons at Jozien van Dorst Vocal Academy. She plays the piano and has taught herself how to play the guitar.

The recent demise of her grandfather this February has made Manaog very sad, but she told her mother that he will be very proud of her.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Fil-Dutch boy passes 'The Voice Kids' audition

NETHERLANDS - An 11-year-old Filipino-Dutch boy passed the blind auditions of the TV talent search "The Voice Kids" in Holland.

A rising star of the Filipino community, Kim Regasa impressed the judges at the auditions of The Voice Kids Holland aired on Dutch channel RTL4 last Friday.

Regasa became popular in Holland and a star in the Pinoy community when he was dubbed by the Dutch media as the “mini Michael Jackson” in "Holland's Got Talent" in 2010.

He was only nine years old then and managed to finish in fourth place.

But that did not stop the very young boy from pursuing his dreams.

He took voice lessons and this year he’s back, trying his luck at The Voice Kids.

In the blind auditions, the judges are seated with their backs turned and they can only hear the voice of the contestant. Just one push of a button from a judge for the duration of the contestant’s song is enough to qualify the contestant to the next round.

If more than one judge pushed a button, the contestant will have the option to choose who he or she wants to be the coach.

In Regasa’s case, duo Nick and Simon immediately pushed their buttons and later followed by Angela Groothuizen.

The last judge Marco Borsato pushed his button a tad late.

Borsato explained he pushed his button at the last minute but it wasn't counted. To add to his disappointment, when Regasa was asked to choose his coach, he said he had always wanted Borsato to be his mentor.

Regasa ended choosing veteran songwriter and '80s singer Groothuizen with the hope that she will train him and properly hone his talent.

Regasa was among the 90 contestants picked from a total of 10,000 who registered for the The Voice Kids Holland.

Talpa, the production outfit of The Voice Kids, doesn't allow interviews while the contestants are still in competition.

Many youngsters who saw Regasa on the The Voice Kids are in awe of his voice.

Anne, a Dutch student who is on her last year of primary school, finds Regasa very good.

"Such beautiful tone," Anne said.

"He has a good style, he’s very good and he can sing," said Indy, another Dutch student.

After the blind auditions, only 45 contestants were left. They now form the three competing teams.

With his performance of “I Follow Rivers”, Regasa did not only captivate the judges but also now has amassed would-be voters.

“I invited my whole class and they said they're gonna watch and they thought sure I’m gonna watch and the next day, I mean the next Monday, they said he's very good. I think they like him,” eleven-year-old Pinay Lauren-Rome said.

Regasa is now preparing for the Battle Round on Friday, which will begin airing at 8:30 pm Holland time.

All that Regasa needs now is the full and solid support from the Filipinos in Holland, if ever he makes it to the live shows because all the text votes are going to ensure his survival in the competition up to the finals.

source: abs-cbnnews.com