Lyca Gairanod emerges as the first “The Voice Kids” Grand Champion

July 31, 2014 - PRLog -- The two-night finale of the top-rating singing reality show in the Philippines, “The Voice Kids,” that aired worldwide via
The Filipino Channel (TFC) named nine-year-old  Lyca Gairanod of Cavite (South Luzon, Philippines) as the first ever grand champion after garnering the highest percentage of text votes in the Philippines and online votes.

Coach Sarah Geronimo’s bet led the Philippine voting based on Gairanod’s performance at the Power Ballad, Upbeat, and Special Performance with a Celebrity Guest rounds and took home P1 million, a one-year recording contract with MCA Universal, house and lot, a home appliance showcase, a musical instrument showcase, and P1 million worth of trust fund.

Team Sarah’s Darren Espanto came in second place, while Team Bamboo’s Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo and Team Lea’s Darlene Vibares placed third and fourth, respectively.

Gairanod impressed the coaches and the audience with her rendition of Regine Velasquez’ “Narito Ako” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” on Saturday, July 26 (Sunday, July 27  New Zealand Eastern Standard Time or NZST), but what brought the house down was her version of “Basang-basa sa Ulan,” which she performed with the band Aegis on Sunday, July 27 (Monday, July 28 via NZST), earning a standing ovation from the audience and the coaches, Geronimo, Lea Salonga, and Bamboo Mañalac.

Gairanod became an instant household name when netizens worldwide saw her blind audition performance of Aegis’ “Halik” during the first few weeks of the show.   As she fought through the Battle Rounds, Sing-Offs, and Live Semi-finals,
she was dubbed “Little Superstar” after she was likened by Coach Lea to Nora Aunor.  Gairanod, a small kid with big dreams, became known for her heartfelt performances and humble background as a daughter of a fisherman who sometimes helps her mother sell scavenged junk.  Gairanod also recently revealed that she would perform for her neighbors in exchange for cash or food.

The star-studded finale, hosted by Luis Manzano and Alex Gonzaga, also featured performances from Martin Nievera with Espanto, Lani Misalucha with Vibares, and TFC’s 20^th Ambassador and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano with Labajo.   The show opened with an energetic performance from the Final Four artists, the three coaches, and the “The Voice of the Philippines” season 1 grand winner, Mitoy Yonting and finalists Klarisse de Guzman, Myk Perez, and Janice Javier.

Relive the two-part finale via TFC’s internet protocol television (IPTV) and official online service, TFC.tv.  Connect with fellow global Filipinos, visit www.facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC or follow @KapamilyaTFC on twitter or instagram for updates.