Zack Tabudlo makes full-circle moment in GMA’s ‘The Voice Kids’

MANILA, Philippines, October 29 ------ He may only be 23, but singer Zack Tabudlo has been in the public eye since he was 10, when he competed and placed in the talent competition “Talentadong Pinoy.” Two years later, in 2014, he auditioned for the first season of “The Voice Kids,” performing Sunday Morning by Maroon 5. He advanced to the Battle Round but was later eliminated.

Zack’s stint on “The Voice Kids” a decade ago may have been heartbreakingly brief, but with three studio albums to his name and several hit singles that resonate with countless fans, he’s managed to land on his feet and, in fact, flourish. He is back on the show, this time as a coach on the seventh season of “The Voice Kids” on GMA Network — the youngest in a panel that includes Julie Anne San Jose, Billy Crawford, and twins Miguel and Paolo of the popular band Ben&Ben.

Describing the experience of returning to the show that broke his heart as surreal and “a full-circle moment,” Zack feels only gratitude. “There’s a lot of things to really be thankful for. I guess, when it comes to just being here in general and still making music, it’s such a full-circle moment because I was just a normal kid,” he recounts. “Ang bata ko pa noon, just like these contestants na nagjo-join now. During that time, I thought it was over when I lost the competition. But after praying and a lot of crying nights and hard work, nakarating din ako dito. It’s like a big lesson to just not give up talaga,” he adds.

His musically talented family was his support system as he navigated the period immediately following his elimination. Zack’s parents, sister, and grandmother sing, but it was his father who motivated him to soldier on and keep at it. Zack was part of Gravity, a short-lived singing group with other “The Voice Kids” alumni. He then spent a couple of years doing uncredited production work with various foreign artists before kickstarting his solo career—again the urging of his supportive father. His singles Nangangamba, Iyong-Iyo, and Binibini, among others, have since been streamed millions of times. The last went on to become the longest-running No. 1 local track by a Filipino RADAR artist on the Spotify Philippines Top 50 chart.

Earlier this year, Zack also underwent a physical transformation, shedding pounds and debuting a buff, more toned look. On “The Voice Kids,” he jokes, “Ako yung pinakamakulit sa lahat… yung pinaka-maingay, pinaka-epal” in the panel. “When judging, it feels weird because parang iba rin ‘yung experience na nararamdaman namin, kaming mga coaches. Before kasi, it always felt like when I was on stage, I was there to perform for people,” he continues. “Now, it’s different. Iba rin ‘yung experience na nakaupo ka and naririnig mo yung detail ng mga ginagawa ng mga performers and the kids to perform in front of us. I think it’s really important also as a musician… it’s nice to see these details that are also helpful for me in the future.”

While he’s doling out advice and suggesting how contestants can improve their performances, Zack is also learning and gaining wisdom that might help elevate his own craft. He narrates that when he composes his songs, most of the songwriting is done in his studio where he works alone. All the gear and instruments he needs are there, and he can just let his creative juices flow. But there have also been times when inspiration comes out of nowhere. “It depends on the situation. For example, mag out of town kami tapos biglang lalabas sa akin yung inspiration with a melody or some lyrics, or if I’m going through something.”

Source: philstar.com