‘The Voice’ kids surprise show’s journey host Gabbi Garcia

MANILA, Philippines, September 22 ------ Gabbi Garcia, who serves as “The Voice Kids” journey host, is privy to the aspirations and motivations of young singers in the reality talent competition, now airing on GMA. She is also the encouraging and supportive sister of the kiddie talents.

“So, my role is a bit challenging here in ‘The Voice Kids,’” said the Sparkle GMA artist Gabbi in a recent presscon, “because I’m dealing with the kids on a personal level. So, before they get up on stage or before they, kunyari, pick coaches in the future, ako muna yung dadaanan nila (they meet me first). So, I really made sure to know them by heart, to really know their dreams.”

She recalled that she was at first nervous since Gabbi hadn’t dealt with kids for a long time. In her family, she said they don’t have toddlers, but kids are at heart. Gabbi was learning how to navigate her new role. “So, what I did, I also asked advice from Tito Boy (Abunda), my mentor, my own coach, about ‘How do I deal with them?’ and Tito Boy told me, ‘Let them surprise you,’ and sa gulat ko talagang you’re really gonna be surprised by their innocence, by their wit and by how they deal with this contest because they actually know what they want at this early age, and in their generation, they’re so blessed to have that skill and to have that wit.”

Gabbi feels blessed that she’s there to give the kids advice and witness their journeys. “Kasi sa totoo lang nakikita ko yung sarili ko sa kanila dati nung maliit ako,” said she, “na pumipila kung san-san, nag-ta-tryout, nag-a-audition kung san-san. Minsan natatanggap, minsan hindi. So, as an ate (their sister), yun yung ma-i-impart ko sa kanila, my own personal journey sa sarili ko and my own experiences na ‘‘wag kayong mag-alala. Someday mararating din ninyo yung gusto ninyong puntahan. Kung hindi man ngayon, maybe another time.”

Gabbi described chatting with kids as “so refreshing.” As a journey host, she also wants to have fun getting to know a bunch of young talents. “Maybe, I constantly remind myself to also just have fun kasi, diba? Sometimes when you’re the host, you feel like you want to be in control of the situation ‘coz you’re the host, but then I’m dealing with kids, and I should also have fun with them,” said she. “So, yun parang kinondition ko ang utak ko na parang it’s something to be serious sometimes because, of course, you have to be cautious because these are fragile kids, diba?, but ni-re-remind ko yung sarili ko na I also have to enjoy the moment with them kasi sila are ecstatic to be there. Siguro, it’s really more (of) that, reminding me to have fun with the kids,” shared she.

With that, she added that the kids will feel “more relaxed” and “safer,” which encourages them to talk about what they want to say. Prior to the airing and contest proper, Gabbi has met the kids, saying that each has her or his own unique personality and story. She has witnessed people who have been touched with their stories, learning that some came from different and far places. “And isa ako sa mga umiintindi ng pangarap nila,” said she. “They’re so colorful, they’re so beautiful, yung personality nila. Some kids are a bit shy. So, yun ang aking role. Mas kailangan ko silang ipalabas kung ano ang gusto nilang ikwento sa mga audience natin, iba-iba din sila, but at the end of the day, nakakatuwa ‘coz they are also eager and so happy to be here.”

Source: philstar.com