Early favorites rule ‘The Voice PH’ live show

Early favorites made it to the next round of “The Voice of the Philippines” as Mitoy Yonting of Team Lea, Janice Javier (Team Apl), Maki Ricafort (Team Sarah) and Paolo Onessa (Team Bamboo) got the highest votes in their respective teams during the second ‘live show’ on Sunday, September 1.

Team Lea

Mitoy, who performed  Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” beat teammates Kimpoy Mainit and Diday Garcellano by getting 82.29 percent of the votes.

Lea observed that band vocalist Mitoy performed like he was mounting his own concert.

“Tinanong niya ako noong rehearsals, sabi niya, ‘Coach, pwede ko ba gawin ito na parang concert ko? Sabi ko, ‘Sige, gawin mo. Ginawa mo talaga!”

She proceeded to save Kimpoy over Diday, who performed Adele’s “Rumor Has It.” Lea praised Kimpoy for exceeding her expectations.

“Kimpoy, that was a performance that was well-crafted. You went over it pa. There’s so much growth pa kasi bukas birthday mo. There’s so much growth in both of you. I hope you take this opportunity para marinig kayo ng buong mundo.”

Team apl

Janice’s victory didn’t come as a surprise, because  she got a standing ovation from the four judges for her rendition of R.Kelly’s “I Believe I Can Fly.”

“You brought the house down and I’m still flying. Para kang eroplano kasi dinadala mo kami sa iba’t ibang lugar sa boses mo. Talagang pinalipad mo ang iyong talent and pinakita mo sa buong mundo,” apl.de.ap told Janice.

He then chose Penelope Matanguihan over Tristhan Perfecto to stay in the competition. Penelope performed John Legend’s “Ordinary People” while Tristhan sung Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man.”

“Stan, I can’t wait to tell Bruno Mars about you. Wala kang kaboses sa competition na ito. You are Stan the man. Penelope, maganda ang boses mo, maganda ka rin. Ito ang pinakamahirap na desisyon na gagawin ko sa gabing ito kasi napamahal na ako sa inyong dalawa. Talagang kapamilya tayo. Ang ililigtas ko ay si Penelope,” apl said.

Team Sarah

The votes were almost equally distributed in Team Sarah. Former South Border member Maki Ricafort’s rendition of “Without You” got 36.75 percent of the votes.

“Yung comfort niyo sa stage, iyon lang ang goal natin tonight. Kasi vocally ang galing niyo na. Umiiyak ang puso ko habang pinapanood kayong kumanta,” Sarah said.

Sarah made another hard decision by choosing Klarisse de Guzman over Yuki Ito. Klarisse performed Madcon’s “Beggin” while Yuki interpreted Donnie Hathaway’s “A Song for You.”

Team Bamboo

Paolo got 46.37 percent of the votes -- the highest in his team --  when he sang James Morrison’s “You Give Me Something.” Bamboo described Paolo’s performance as  “cool and smooth.”

Bamboo then chose Isa Fabregas over Angelique Alcantara.

Sarah commented that she was looking for a more vocally-challenging song for Angelique, while apl found Isa’s performance “heaven-sent.”

“Isa, you always say your faith and your family is what carry you. Tonight nakita ko iyon sa boses mo.”