Lyca is 'Voice Kids' Champion

Image courtesy of www.abs-cbnnews.com

Source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

A nine-year-old girl who used to scavenge junk in her native Cavite was named the first-ever winner of "The Voice Kids" in the Philippines on Sunday at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.

Lyca Gairanod, one of Team Sarah's two bets in the "Final Showdown" of the hit talent search, clinched the title after getting the highest percentage of public votes.

Teammate Darren Espanto finished 1st-runner up, while Team Bamboo's Juan Karlos Labajo and Team Lea's Darlene Vibrares and finished as runner-ups of the competition.

During the performance night on Saturday, Gairanod impressed the coaches with her performance of the Regine Velasquez classic, "Narito Ako."

"You are our superstar. Ipinakita mo ang iyong...napakalaki ng potensyal mong bata ka eh, 'yung galing mo sa pagkanta, 'yung galing mo sa pagkonekta sa meaning ng kinakanta mo, 'yung kwento ng awitin na 'yun," her coach Sarah Geronimo said.

Gainarod also sang Carly Rae Jepsen's hit "Call Me Maybe"

The nine-year-old has been likened to screen veteran Nora Aunor, herself a singing champion, because of her humble background and talent.

In Tanza, she helped her mother, Maria Nessel, scavenge junk to sell. She would also perform for her neighbors for extra cash. With her father's earnings as a fisherman, along with they got from scavenging, was enough to send her to school.

Sunday's results show was a star-studded affair, with performances from several guests, including Martin Nievera, Lani Misalucha, Gary Valenciano, and iconic OPM band Aegis.

This was on top of special numbers from coaches Geronimo, Bamboo Manalac, and Lea Salonga.

As the "Final Showdown" aired on Sunday, viewers took to Twitter to air their reactions, making several hashtags related to "The Voice Kids" trend locally and worldwide on the micro-blogging site.

The official hashtag #TheVoiceKidsChampions was quickly among the top local trends, along with other terms and phrases such as #TVKDarrenForTheChampion and #WowAngGwapoNiLuis.

The strong buzz surrounding the "The Voice Kids" online -- it consistently topped trending topics during its weekend telecasts -- was also reflected in its viewership over the last two months since its May premiere.

In June, "The Voice Kids" averaged a national TV rating of 35.6%, according to multi-national market research group Kantar Media, making it the No. 1 program in the Philippines for the month. Last June 15, it registed an audience share of 37.5%, the season's highest.

ABS-CBN's "The Voice Kids" is one of over 50 international versions of the talent search, including the format for adults.

The second season of "The Voice of the Philippines," the Kapamilya network's adults edition, is expected to premiere later this year.