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.
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| Katrina Manaog (2nd from left) made it to the finals of The Voice Kids Holland |
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.
