'The Voice PH' wraps up 'blind auditions'

The Voice of the Philippines is a Philippine reality singing competition. It is part of the The Voice franchise and is based on a similar competition format in the Netherlands, The Voice of Holland.^[1] The first season will premier in June 2013 on ABS-CBN.^[2] The show will be hosted by Toni Gonzaga, Robi Domingo, and Alex Gonzaga.^[3][4] Bamboo Mañalac, Sarah Geronimo,Lea Salonga, and Apl.de.Ap will serve as the four coaches and the judging panel of the show.^[5][6][7][8]

According to a podcast published by ABS-CBN through a press release, though not yet finalized, the winner is expected to win more than 2 million pesos, and a recording contract from MCA Music Philippines.^[9]

Development [edit]

ABS-CBN acquired the rights of the franchise back in 2011 after the success of its US counterpart. The Philippines was then listed as one of the countries who bought the rights for the franchise as posted in the website of Talpa.^[10] The show was later confirmed by Laurenti Dyogi, a Filipino director who has had a notable success with reality shows like Pinoy Big Brother, Pinoy Dream Academy, and Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition.^[11]

A teaser was shown during the commercial break of Sarah G. Live and Gandang Gabi Vice last December 30, 2012. A teaser, showing the recorded snippets of the blind auditions, was aired on May 15, 2013.^[12] Another trailer was posted in the show's official Facebook fan page on May 24, 2013, showing the coaches' bantering, rapport, and eagerness to fight over an auditionee.^[13]

Hosts and coaches [edit]

The coaches of the first season of The Voice of the Philippines

Bamboo Mañalac

Sarah Geronimo

Lea Salonga

Apl.de.Ap

Rumors had been circulating that Toni Gonzaga and Robi Domingo, and even Lea Salonga are said to host the show.^[14] Also, Zsa Zsa Padillais rumored as one of the coaches. However, all of these rumors are debunked as the production team stated that there were still no confirmed hosts or coaches for the reality show.^[15][16]

After months of speculations, Toni Gonzaga was confirmed to host the franchise. It was announced on Gonzaga's talk show, The Buzz.^[17]Gonzaga later confirmed that she will be joined by Robi Domingo as the show's media correspondent. Incidentally, this marks Gonzaga and Domingo's third time to work together after Pinoy Big Brother: Unlimited and Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition 4 which were also under the unit of Director Lauren Dyogi.^[3]

On February 6, 2013, it was announced that Sarah Geronimo will be one of the four coaches.^[18][19] During the last episode of Sarah G. Live on February 10, 2013, Bamboo Mañalac revealed that he was proud that he will be collaborating with Geronimo on a new big project, which will beThe Voice of the Philippines. On February 14, 2012, ABS-CBN aired a promotional plug during the airtime of Kahit Konting Pagtingin, a pre-primetime television drama, confirming Bamboo Mañalac's stint in the show as coach and judge.^[20] On the night of February 19, 2013, Lea Salonga confirmed her stint as an official coach in the show via her official Twitter account.^[21] In the same night, ABS-CBN later confirmed Salonga's role on the show.^[7] It was announced in early March 2013 that Apl.de.Ap of the Black Eye Peas was being negotiated to join the said reality show.^[22][23] On March 7, 2013, it was announced through ABS-CBN's entertainment website, Push, that Apl.de.Ap will sit as the fourth coach.^[8] On an article posted in the network's official website dated March 20, 2013, Apl.de.Ap is slated to do the initial promotional plug with TFC London and is scheduled to arrive in Manila by April to meet and work with the three other coaches and the rest of the show's team.^[24]

On April 16, 2013, Alex Gonzaga was revealed to join the show as a host. She is set to join her eldest sister, Toni Gonzaga, and Robi Domingo.^[4]

Auditions [edit]

Bacolod

Iloilo

Tacloban

Cebu

General Santos

Zamboanga

Cagayan de Oro

Davao

Baguio

Puerto Princesa

Laoag

Naga

Quezon City

Cities in the Philippines where the auditions were held.

Auditions started on September 2012. Open Call Auditions were held on September 15, 2012 at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City, Los Angeles, California and on September 16, 2012 at California's Great America Parkway in Santa Clara, California. The auditions were only open to people with Filipino ancestry in Southern California.^{[25][26][27][28]}

Radio screenings were also held on January 7 – 11, 2013 at various ABS-CBN Radio stations in key cities such as Metro Manila, Naga, Legazpi City, Baguio, Tacloban, Cebu City, Davao City, General Santos City, Zamboanga City, Cagayan de Oro City, Bacolod, Iloilo City, and Dagupan. Radio screenings were called The Voice ng Radyo (The Voice of Radio), were daily and weekly winners have the chance to directly go to the Blind auditions.^[29]

Auditions in key cities throughout the Philippines were announced on the last episode of Sarah G. Live, Sarah Geronimo's night variety show, on February 10, 2013. On the same night, the online auditions were also introduced which will run from February 9 to 19, 2013.^[30]