MANILA -- "Bamboo Manalac has eyes on the back of his head," became a running joke among the coaches in the latter part of the Blind Auditions of "The Voice of the Philippines."
As in the global format of the hit reality talent search, coaches cannot see the auditioning artists in the first phase of the competition.
But Manalac, somehow, ended up turning his chair for female hopefuls who his fellow coaches referred to as "pretty."
While not all of them picked the 35-year-old rock icon as their coach, Manalac nonetheless recruited eight ladies who can impress with both their talent and looks.
Pretty girls
Among these "pretty girls" is (1) Deb Victa, a 21-year-old account manager who impressed Manalac to become his first recruit. She is joined in the same team by (2) Isa Fabregas, a 24-year-old marketing assistant and theater actress.
Professional singer (3) Lee Grane, 28, whose name became a worldwide trending topic on Twitter after her Blind Auditions performance, is also part of Team Bamboo; as is (4) Angelique Alcantara, a 17-year-old student from Samal Island.
Manalac also found "pretty" team members in Bacolod City's (5) Angelica Prado, 24, who balances time between being a band singer and a college student; and Batangas-born (6) Nicole Parada, a 23-year-old telephone banker.
Music student (7) Talia Reyes, 21, and pre-schol art teacher (8) Denise Saguan, 35, complete Manalac's stable of female artists.
Boys in, too
Not to be outdone in talent are Team Bamboo's male bets to win "The Voice" title.
Myk Perez (9), a 22-year-old singer from Palawan, and the father-and-son duo (10) Willy and Mark Cordovales, were among the first male recruits of Manalac.
Completing the rock icon's team of 13 members are (11) Paolo Onesa, a 19-year-old student from Zamboanga City; (12) JP Duka, a 28-year-old radio DJ from Davao City; and (13) Dan Pillo, a 30-year-old band vocalist from Marikina City.
Starting Sunday, July 28, Manalac is bringing his recruited artists -- female and male -- to the Battle Rounds of "The Voice of the Philippines."
Two to three artists from the same team will be pitted against each other by their coach to trim down the number of members by half.
The artist in each pairing or grouping who will best impress Manalac will move on to the Live Shows.
