Pinoy joins ‘The Voice of Ireland’

MANILA, Philippines – Around 30 seconds into Filipino Roel Villones’ audition for Season 3 of reality singing competition The Voice of Ireland, Irish singer Bressie pushed the button to turn his chair, an action enough to catapult the Pinoy to the next round.

In the blind audition phase of the competition, coaches have their backs turned to the aspiring singers, with nothing but their voices as the basis for judging. Contestants automatically join the team of any coach who turns his or her chair, and in this case, Villones was picked by Irish musician Bressie, Season One’s winning coach.

Villones has earned a sure spot in the battle round where he will go against other members of Team Bressie. Should he survive the battles, he moves on to the live shows, where the public vote is a crucial component.

The opera voice

“I usually pick from classical music, country, rock, maybe it shows my vocal range,” said Villones, who showed off his operatic voice by singing Nella Fantasia by Sarah Brightman.

Villones’ coach Bressie thought his performance was perfect. The musician, who was ecstatic to have an operatic voice on his team, said he already has a plan in his head for Villones’ possible song choices.

“You’re gonna have to work hard, he told Villones. But I promise you, if you work with me, we will get fantastic tunes. There are some beautiful songs people might not expect, but I already know in my head.”

“People like you already keep me awake at night, thinking of songs. They’re the people I want in my team because it makes it harder and I like having a bit of a challenge in these types of things. So welcome to my team.” 

Good impression

Although he turned the seat of one out of 4 coaches, the panel was generally impressed with his performance and are excited to see him work with Bressie.

Former Westlife member Kian Egan said he didn’t turn his chair because he would not have known how to direct Villones. He said he is looking forward to seeing his fellow coach work with an opera singer.

Dolores O’Riordan of rock band, The Cranberries, said Villones’ sound was very interesting to her.

“I didn’t expect you, you know, quite alright looking,” joked British singer Jamelia. “I’m very interested to see what you’ll do with Bressie.”

Villones’ successful audition comes not long after Rose Fostanes rose to instant stardom as the winner of X Factor Israel. 

In recent years, many other singers who are either Filipinos or part-Filipino have excelled in reality singing competitions, particularly American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez, and Jasmine Trias, as well as X Factor franchise contestants Ellona Santiago and Rafael Aguilar.

Watch Roel Villones’ blind audition here:

– Rappler.com