8 artists to compete for 4 slots on Sunday
MANILA -- American jazz artist and Grammy winner Patti Austin will grace the stage of "The Voice of the Philippines" on Sunday, as the reality talent search continues to narrow down the number of competing artists through the live shows.
The 62-year-old singer, according to Broadway star Lea Salonga, will be performing with her in the next live episode of the ABS-CBN program.
The outspoken "The Voice of the Philippines" coach shared the news on Twitter Friday, saying, "Why yes, the non-competing 8 artists on #VoicePHLive will be singing with yours truly and the one and only @pattiaustin. LOVE HER!"
Austin is in the Philippines for a series of shows, with more performances to be held on September 7 and 9 in Manila and Davao, respectively.
In an interview on the late-night newscast "Bandila" on Thursday, the "If I Believe" hitmaker said she has been an avid viewer of "The Voice of the Philippines."
"I am (watching), with my sister-girlfriend Lea Salonga. She's my hunny-bunny, I love her. I just think she's, first of all, gorgeous," she said.
The two singing veterans performed together in a series of concerts in the United States in 2010.
Referring to Salonga, Austin continued, "Speaking of people who can sing their fannies off, hers has been missing for a long time. She sang it off a long time ago. Love her. She's fabulous. And she's a great laedy, a great person."
On Twitter, Austin shared photos of her and Salonga rehearsing for their reunion performance on "The Voice of the Philippines."
4 slots, 8 artists
Their performance will be an intermission during the September 8 live show of the talent search, which will field eight competing artists. Only four, one from each team, will remain by the end of the show.
Fighting for their spot in the team of The Black Eyed Peas' Allan "apl.de.ap" Pineda are Thor Dulay and Penelope Matanguihan. Maki Ricafort and Morissette Amon, meanwhile, will battle for one slot in pop singer Sarah Geronimo's team.
Representing rock icon Bamboo Manalac's team are Lee Grane and Paolo Onesa. Team Lea, on the other hand, will field Darryl Shy and Mitoy Yonting.
Unlike the first two round of live shows, the viewing public and the coaches will have an equal say in the artists to remain. The combined percentages of the public votes and the coaches' scores will determine who among the contenders will remain in the competition.
