The Voice PH: 3rd Judge - Lea Salonga

The Voice Auditions: Mindanao

Let your voice be heard, MINDANAO!
March 2, 2013 | 9AM-6PM

CDO:

N Hotel, Kauswagan Highway, 9000 Cagayan De Oro City

ZAMBOANGA

ABS-CBN Zamboanga, San Jose Road, Zamboanga City

DAVAO:

ABS-CBN Davao Complex, Shrine Hills, Matina, Davao City

GEN SAN:

Ellis Suites, Aparente St., General Santos City

My The Voice Philippines Audition

Last Saturday, I got the chance to audition for the Philippine franchise of “The Voice”. I woke up early that day, earlier than I usually do, around 4:00 in the morning. With my casual get-up, I got ready, and headed out.

There were three ways to audition; The Online Auditions (wherein you upload and submit a video of yourself singing a two-minute audition song) the Radio Audition (wherein local MOR Stations were allowed to accept and screen auditions through radio) and the unseen On-ground/On-site Auditions (the one I’m about to go through). All of which serves as the first part of audition right before the Blind Auditions (the one seen on TV). The nearest audition site from where I’m from is the CCB Gym, Leyte Park Resort & Hotel, Magsaysay Blvd., Tacloban City. It is a two and a half hour going north via van. I’ve been to Tacloban a couple of times already but this trip made me nervous. With a tight budget and a singing audition coming up, who would not be nervous? I was with two of my friends, Arlita and Tonton, on that trip. The ride started stiff as we put our respective auditions in mind but sooner we were able to share each other’s nerves and loosen it all out. Our trip northbound turned out to be exciting. We were on our earphones and sang all the way. I didn’t know if other passengers could hear us but I’m sure their face look annoyed. The view outside the window was cold and foggy and the sun was just about to rise. After an hour, the other passengers were sleeping and as we went nearer to our destination, my confidence started to build up. After eating our breakfast at a fast-food, we finally reached the venue at 8:30. It was my first time through the gates of the resort and I didn’t know there was a gymnasium inside.

I was expecting a massive crowd but to my surprise, it was the exact opposite. On my estimate, there were less than a hundred of people and parts of it were supporters; parents and friends. I saw two more friends Jessa and Chai who are also joining the auditions. The line was just starting to build up and the producers were still not there. Few minutes after, the Gym gates were opened and audition forms were distributed. My number was 3052; assuming “3” stands for the venue number (after Cebu and Iloilo) and “052” as the running number (That's how I think it is).

After filling out forms about personal experiences and aspirations (as well as waivers), we were asked to enter the gym in rows of ten. There, we waited even more. A local crew started to brief us about the audition process. He told us to choose the best part of the best song we could sing ‘cause were only given a minute and a half to perform. He also explained (for non-the-voice-fans) about the show and how they are going to judge auditions based on “The Voice” itself and not for other reasons (looks, angst etc.). Few minutes after, it was announced that the audition is about to start - then the crew called us one by one. I could see there were diverse people in there. I saw veteran performers renowned in the region. There were also humble individuals like me who wanted to try it out for the first time. Since this round of auditions are often unseen on TV (unlike the blind auditions), we have no idea of how it’s going to work. We all just sat on mono-block chairs arranged in rows of ten. It is surprising to know that we could hear auditions done before us. The only barrier that prevents us from seeing the performer is a tarpaulin banner of “The Voice” facing the producers. We could all hear the performer-producer conversation. We could even see the producers facing us! I didn’t know if that is fair or not for the earlier auditions but nobody has the luxury of eavesdropping since we were all busy preparing for our turn. I must say, the talents from our region are amazing! Auditions before me were done so well, with their own unique voice into the song. One tall, fat guy sang a kundiman version of Martin Nieverra and got through! I got more and more nervous each time a person is leaving. One guy is so prepared that he dressed with a bionic arm (Arlita even called him “Zaido”) I supposed he’s going to sing a GaGa song and he did! Unfortunately, no matter how you dress, this is the voice and he was not accepted. Most participants accepted sang powerful ballads (Leyteños are powerful balladeers). While waiting, we got this conversation with the cameraman we asked about what comes next if we were able to get through the first auditions. He said that he and his crew will visit the accepted contestants’ respective homes on the next day and sooner they will be leaving for the Blind Auditions via airplane with all expense from the show. So, that added more excitement! The cameraman and his lenses were combing through each person trying to take footage of the forthcoming first “The Voice” winner. Chance was so greedy that there were only 5 people who made it through before my turn. My friend, Arlita made it through and was already scheduled for an interview.

After what must have felt like a long wait, I got called in. I saw the actual number of crew in there, one was the cameraman from outside, another is the one calling the person’s turn, three judges on their laptops, one audio man and three (I think) utility men eating on the background. I got the microphone and stepped on the markers and started to sing. It is odd how time flies when it is your turn. So I was satisfied with what I sang, it went smooth and just the way I planned it to be. I was proud of myself being able to make it even just right there. I did not make it through but I wasn’t that sad, or disappointed; at least I tried, right? The judges are credible enough to know what they are looking for. In fact, the ones who made it through were amazing singers same as the ones I see in the US and UK Blind Auditions. Right before we left, there were already eight people accepted and at that time, registration is still going on.  I hope somebody from our region wins the finals!

I know I needed more experience (and more failures) to make it. My friends, Arlita and Jessa, had call-backs and the producer told them to expect a call a day after. They were both alumna of the previous batches of “Leyte Idol”, experience and exposures were already on their hands. These were the things I needed to work on, hopefully for the next season. This wasn’t bad at all; it was a really nice experience. Despite not being able to make it, I am still optimistic about my singing and I would love to do it all over again. Performing is something that I'm already doing and I consider this reality show as a shortcut to what I would want to pursue. I’m a work in progress and I know I wouldn’t allow myself to go unprepared. This experience has thought me that aiming for something could not be reached in just a single shot, it is not a once in a lifetime opportunity. We got to live our dreams everyday if we only seek to feel it – winning a reality TV is just a part of it. I already have performed in front people and as long as people are listening, I feel good about it.

Subscribe to my Youtube Channel
Add me on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter