Lyca Gairanod: ‘The Voice Kids’ grand champ just wants to have fun
During the press launch of the 13-track album “The Voice Kids” showcasing the gifts of champion Lyca Gairanod and the runners-up, it was obvious the little champ herself was getting most of the attention.
She had a particularly cheerful personality and was fast on the quips.
“Sobrang taas na!” she said when she was asked to sing a line from a song and she found it a bit too challenging for her vocal range.
Breaking the ice
Not that she couldn’t hit the note; it just seemed her way of breaking the ice that day at a Jollibee store in San Juan.
Moments later, she continued to make heads turn as she danced and played with reporters while being interviewed.
Lyca, after all just turned 10 on Nov. 21.
Just being a kid
Add to that the fact of her back story: her family scavenged recyclables for a living and she literally sang for her supper by working out those pipes for neighbors in exchange for food and money.
So if she’s clowning around now, being the kid that she is even in a press conference, and making up for the years she , then so be it.
In fact, during The Voice Kids All In concert at the PICC on Dec. 6, she spent the latter part of the encore scooping up the confetti that rained from the rafters and gleefully tossing it back in the air—as her fellow Voice Kids headliners continued to sing.
Staying power
“She really has the talent and charm to stay long in the biz,” said Ricky Ilacad, president of MCA Music.
This early, Lyca’s humble beginnings and overnight success are being compared to that of superstar Nora Aunor’s.
On “The Voice Kids: The Album,” Lyca sang the first three tracks, including the opening “Basang-Basa sa Ulan,” the Aegis classic she is best known for after delivering her live cover of the piece at the finale of the popular competition.
Of belters and champs
The two other songs she covers in the album are the OPM classics “Narito Ako” and “Pangarap na Bituin.”
The album, which contains covers performed by six young, exceptional talents that came off the ABS-CBN-backed singing contest, is said to be doing well both in record stores and digital downloads.
And the album’s early success was mirrored at the concert.
Pandemonium
Lyca, along with Darren Espanto, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Darlene Vibares, sent fans, wearing the colors of their teams and waving glow sticks and balloons, into concentrated screaming.
Fans also waited in long queues at the meet and greet that happened after the concert.
Guests during “The Voice Kids” show were semifinalists Tonton Cabiles and Edray Teodoro, who also appear on the album.
Lending added star power were special guests Mitoy Young, “The Voice of the Philippines” grand champion, and runner-up Klarisse De Guzman.
