FULL RECAP: ‘The Voice PH’ live shows, week 1

MANILA, Philippines – The Knockout Rounds and the Battle Rounds are behind us, and now it’s time to move on to the live shows on The Voice of the Philippines. 

The 4 coaches’ top 6 will now compete in a series of performances at Resorts World Manila. This transition to live shows is significant as the public can now vote for the artists they feel should stay in the competition. 

Of each team’s top 6, 3 artists from the same team perform in one evening.  

The one with the highest percentage of public votes gets a pass to the next round. From the remaining two artists, the mentor selects one to move forward and another to be eliminated. 

The results were announced on Sunday, January 25, for the first batch of performers from all four coaches. 

Team Sarah Geronimo:

• Eliminated: Poppert Bernadas: “I Feel Good” 
• IN [Public Vote]: Monique Lualhati: “Maging Sino Ka Man” 
• IN [Coach’s Choice]: Jason Fernandez: “Hanggang”

Team Apl de Ap:

• Eliminated: Ferns Tosco: “It’s A Heartache”
• IN [Public Vote]: Daryl Ong: “Let’s Stay Together”
• IN [Coach’s Choice] Suy Galvez: “I Won’t Give Up”

Team Bamboo:

• IN [Coach’s Choice]: Rita Martinez: “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
• IN [Public Vote]: Kai Honasan: “Blank Space”
• Eliminated: Karlo Mojica: “Footlose”

Team Lea Salonga:

• IN [Coach’s Choice] Nino Alejandro: “Nakapagtataka”
• IN [Public Vote]: Leah Patricio: “Queen of the Night”
• Eliminated: Abbey Pineda: “Sana’y Maghintay Ang Walang Hanggan”

The first batch of live shows opened on Saturday, January 24. The evening began with an ensemble number (“Play That Funky Music”) from the judges and the top 24, then a birthday greeting for host Toni Gonzaga. 

Coaches were quick to assure returning contestant Rita Martinez that she deserved her spot in the competition. Bamboo called her performance “world class,” saying that her rendition was one he would download and listen to over again. Earlier, Rita had said that she wanted to prove that her return to the show was not a mistake. 

Rita replaced contestant Joniver Robles, whose departure from the show was announced by coach Bamboo after the Knockout Rounds. This was a controversial move, as Joniver later said on Facebook that the opportunity was “taken away” from him. 

More famous faces were in the crowd. The Alejandro family, including veteran performers Rachel Alejandro and Hajji Alejandro, were there to support Nino, Rachel’s cousin. 

Nino’s version of “Nakapagtataka” had the crowd cheering, with Apl saying that he was sure Nino did his uncle (who had previously sung the same song) proud. Coach Lea told Nino that he made this song his own. 

Most of the contestants got rave reviews from the coaches that evening, but another standout was Leah Patricio, whose cover of “Queen of the Night” had coach Lea standing up in excitement. 

Kai Honasan sang the Taylor Swift hit “Blank Space,” starting off with a turn on the piano. She teared up after receiving praise from Coaches Lea and Bamboo, with both of them saying that she most certainly deserved her spot on the show.

Kai came off from a rocky week at the Knockout Rounds – Bamboo opted to save her over smooth crooner Elmerjun Hilario, whom many social media users felt performed better in the evening. 

These were just some of the highlights from Day 1 of the live show. Check back on Rappler for more results as they’re announced. – Rappler.com