MANILA - An 8-year-old boy managed to turn all three chairs on "The Voice Kids" with his rendition of the classic Bee Gees song, "Too Much Heaven," during the show's Blind audition which aired on Saturday.
Angelico Echo Claridad, who hails from Bacolod, wowed the coaches with his soulful take that immediately caught the attention of coach Lea Salonga, who was the first to press her button."First of all, ako 'yung unang umikot. I know what to do with a voice like yours na kumakanta ng ganyan mga kanta. Si mommy ang piliin mo," Salonga said.
The show's other coaches --Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo Manalac --also tried to wrestle the young hopeful towards their respective teams.
Geronimo said she is excited by the 8-year-old's potential, and added that she can teach
him how to expand his vocal range.
"Ngayon narinig namin ang pagiging Bee Gees mo. Pero with Ate Sarah, hahanapan natin kung paano ka mabigyan ng variety yung audience pagdating sa singing mo," she said.
Manalac commended Claridad's classic long-haired look: "I like the whole look. The whole package. Parang throwback. Nagagaya mo 'yung Bee Gees na eksakto. I would like to have someone na batang bata, na raw talent sa team ko na pwedeng turuan."
Salonga then played the experience card, which she also did in past episodes, by pulling out a map that marked each country she has performed in. She lauded Claridad's "world-class" voice and quipped that she "can show him the world."
In the end, Claridad decided to go with the broadway star, prompting Salonga to say: "That kid is magic. You don't get an 8-year-old with a soul like that."
