This article was first published on GMA News Online.
HILVERSUM, The Netherlands — Katrina Manaog has been singing since she was four years old. Eight years after, she’s become a finalist of the third edition of The Voice Kids in the Netherlands.
“The first song she sang in front of people was Aiza Seguerra’s ‘Pagdating ng Panahon.’ According to my uncle, she got her talent from her late grandmother, Barbara Bello, who was an opera singer in the Philippines while her father said she got her talent from her auntie Jerlie Manaog who also sings in the Philippines,” said her mother Catherine Malabanan during an interview with GMA News.
The 12-year-old impressed the judges of The Voice Kids during the blind auditions on January 24 when she belted out Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” without any difficulty. All seats turned for her but she chose to be part of the team Nick and Simon.
“As parents, we feel very proud of her. It’s a lot of work being with her in all rehearsals but it’s worth it,” added Catherine.
On February 7, Katrina beat teammates Bodine Hilhorst and Marlies Venderbos as they sang Rihanna’s “Unfaithful” during the battle, the second level of elimination in the singing competition. Katrina and teammate Isabel Provoost complete the finalists for team Nick and Simon besting out 13 others in the group alone.
Katrina attends voice lessons at the Vocal Academy Jozien Van Dorst and private singing lessons from Gerda Vreeken, an opera singer. With her current schedule though, she can only attend singing lessons once every three weeks and piano lessons once a week. She also plays the guitar and a bit of violin. She dreams to be a singing doctor someday.
“For now, she needs to concentrate on her studies although we allow her to join singing activities during the weekends,” explained Catherine.
After Friday’s battle for Groothuizen’s team, the world will know who brings home the trophy of this edition’s The Voice Kids on February 21. Win or lose, Katrina will join the other finalists in concerts to be held in different parts of the Netherlands.
The Voice Kids is the junior version of The Voice, which originated in the Netherlands under the production of John de Mol. It gives talented young singers from 6 to 14 years old the chance to share their talent to the world. It is currently being hosted by Wendy van Dijk and Martijn Krabbe.#