The Voice Teens Philippines: Finals

We've got a pretty interesting race this season: the popular, the charmer, the backstory, and the bird. Ha. I had a lot to say about the Final 4 and some of them were pretty brutal, so if you can't handle it, stay out of the kitchen. I also wrote a fearless forecast of who WILL win and it ain't pretty. Let's see if I get it right this time, which I usually don't.

Also, I don't review duets with coaches - like I do with ALL The Voice editions around the globe - just because I don't think it's a fair comparison. I mean, a duet with Gwen Stefani versus Alicia Keys or apl.de.ap versus Lea Salonga? Seriously? So there.


04. Isabela Vinzon
Despacito
[TEAM BAMBOO]
I was told before that if I couldn't think of, at the very least, three nice things to say, I wasn’t allowed to say the bad stuff. So bear with me as I try hard. I thought Isabela looked a lot like Sarah Geronimo, and yes, my review of this performance is over. Haha. 3


03. Jona Soquite
Just Dance
[TEAM SARAH]
It was quite unfortunate that this performance of Jona was more of Symphony than Greatest Love of All. I appreciated the fact that she did try her hardest to put on a show, but the technical aspects of her vocals were a bit problematic. Her diction, in particular, was terrible. Sure, the band was way too loud to even hear her voice, but she should've pushed her vocals out there to even understand what she was singing. I thought the modulation of her voice was inconsistent and her intonation was uneven. A little more control with her vocals would've made wonders in this performance, I think. 5


02. Mica Becerro
Diva Song
[TEAM LEA]
What else was there to say other than she did opera again? I know. I know. I've kept harping on Mica's inability to be versatile, but it's true. No, I'm not going to disregard the fact that her vocal performance of Diva Song was technically the best - not perfect - out of the remaining finalists given that it was also the hardest one to pull off. I applaud her for taking that risk and it was damn impressive, but other than the whistles, what was the song all about? I genuinely feel like she didn't connect with the song and that, to me, was her biggest problem. Technically good, but then, so what? 7.5


01. Jeremy Glinoga
Superstition
[TEAM SHARON]
Jeremy wasn't the strongest singer, but this was, arguably, the most 'exciting' solo performance of the night. I would've picked a better and more contemporary song choice for him, but there was something about those little tweaks he did with the melody that made this a lot more relevant than I expected. He's incredibly marketable, exceedingly charming, and he was able to prove his versatility by tackling something beyond his comfort zone. So yes, this was a strong performance from Jeremy. 8

WHO SHOULD WIN?

Without a doubt, Jeremy Glinoga. He's more versatile than Mica, he's more charismatic than Jona, and he doesn't have to try so hard to impress like Isabela. Easy choice. 

WHO WILL WIN?

Quite frankly, I'm not so sure. Unlike the other reality singing shows I cover, I somehow can't figure out the voting block in the Philippines. In Season 1, they crowned Mitoy Yonting as the winner based solely on his popularity when there were clearly stronger vocalists on that season - Morissette Amon says hi! The public then went on to support Lyca Gairanod who obviously won because of her sad backstory - Darren Espanto says hi! But then, they had Jason Dy and Elha Nympha who won their seasons on the basis of strong performances*. 

Now, if the voting public will reward someone like Mitoy who's just popular but annoying, then we should brace ourselves for Isabel Vinzon's win. If they're going for a Lyca, Jona Soquite will bag the title tomorrow. But if it will be based on strong body of work, it's between Jeremy Glinoga and Mica Becerro. 

I will go out on a limb though and predict a Mica Becerro win just because she excites the voting public with her outstanding vocal range and technical vocal prowess. Filipinos love their powerhouse belters and she fits right in that crowded mold. Haha.

*Jason Dy wasn't the best singer during his season, but compared to Alisah Bonaobra, Leah Patricio, and Rence Rapanot in the Finale, he HAD to win. There was no other choice.