MANILA – Sarah Geronimo shrugged off reports that she chose Klarisse de Guzman to represent Team Sarah in the finale of “The Voice of the Philippines” because she is threatened by contestant Morissette Amon.
In an interview with “The Buzz” on Sunday, Geronimo said there’s no truth to such rumors because both de Guzman and Amon are dear to her.
“Nung gabing 'yun, pinagdasal ko lang talaga. Kasi pareho ko talaga silang gusto. Either sa kanila talagang makakapag-represent ng Team Sarah. So sabi ko na lang ibe-base ko na lang sa performance nila that night,” Geronimo explained.
“Kung sino ang tatama sa puso ko, sa puso ng mga tao sa Resort’s World, 'yun ang bibigyan ko ng mas mataas na score. Hindi ko gagawin na sobrang layo ng score, parang 50-50 lang. So ginawa kong 55 si Klarisse and 45 si Morisette,” she added.
Last Sunday, Amon proved to be no match for de Guzman, who finished with a score of 118.39 with Geronimo giving her the edge.
And now that her team is down to de Guzman, Geronimo has appealed to viewers to vote for the aspiring singer because she believes that de Guzman has what it takes to be a star.
“Una sa lahat, gusto ko i-congratulate yung top 4 kasi lahat naman deserving sa title na ‘The Voice of the Philippines.’ Pero bakit si Klarisse?
Siyempre nagsimula kami, nagkasabay kami sa isang competition before. Nakita ko kung paano siya nagsimula, kung paano siya nabigo. Parang God’s will talaga na nagkita kami ulit and this time, ako naman 'yung may kakayanan to make her dreams come true,” she said.
Geronimo added: “Si Klarisse, may power siya sa boses niya. She doesn’t copy anyone. Mayroon siyang own sound, nandoon ang artistry niya. Si Klarisse, magaling siya pero hindi niya alam na magaling siya. Humble.”
Not playing favorites
Meanwhile, Francisco “Bamboo” Manalac has also set the records straight regarding his alleged favoritism in the show.
“I never played favorites. Ako 'yung coach eh, ako 'yung nasa driver’s seat so I know best who is my most versatile, who has the voices na kapag binigyan mo ng album, magsha-shine. Again, 'yung difference is power and kulay ng boses. 'Yun ang pinapakita ko, na sa mundo ng musika, iba ibang kulay tayo,” he said.
Bamboo said he is pretty confident about Myk Perez’s chances of winning the competition on Sunday.
“I feel pretty good about this, 'yung chances ni Myk. I also wish Klarisse the best lang. I’m also a big fan of Klarisse, I think she is pretty special in her own way. Pero, of course, I will go for my man. He’s unique, songwriter, he has a good heart,” he said.
“Hindi ko nakikita na underdog siya eh. We took gambles sa mga pinili namin. Hindi naman parati dapat power singing. So sa amin paano ipapakita ang strength niya? Makulay ang music. Myk is special in his own right,” he added.
Mitoy, Janice have big hearts
With Geronimo and Manalac rallying behind their bets, Lea Salonga and apl.de.ap did not allow themselves to be left behind as they also urged people to vote for Mitoy Yonting and Janice Javier.
“He has been in this business ang tagal-tagal na. He has done stuff on TV and on film pero ngayon ang panahon para siya naman ang umangat para maging isang batikang singer. Hindi lang siya sa background but headliner na,” said Salonga of Yonting, who is the vocalist of the band The Draybers.
Aside from his powerful voice, Salonga said Yonting also has a big heart.
“He is incredibly, uniquely, without a doubt gifted. The moment you hear his voice, you will try to find out saan nanggagaling iyan. But really the first thing that will hit you talaga is his voice. Tapos kapag nakilala niyo pa siya bilang tao, mai-in love kayo sa kanyang kabaitan at pagmamahal sa kaibigan at pamilya,” Salonga said.
This is also how apl.de.ap described Javier, who, he believes, is one of the most talented singers he has ever met.
“She’s been singing for 20 years. Nag-abroad pa siya so she could have a caeer. She’s so versatile, marunong siya kumanta ng mababa or mataas. She’s very talented and she needs to be known all over the world,” he said.
Apl.de.ap said he is confident of Javier’s chances because she is already a performer on her own.
“There’s nothing more I could help her. Basta mag-connect lang siya sa audience and give her all. But she does that anyway so wala na akong masabi sa kanya. Every time she is on stage, she gives 110% so just connect to the audience,” he said.
“The Voice of the Philippines” will air its final episode on Sunday night at 8:15 p.m.
