From a hopeful contestant to becoming a hitmaker and now a coach, OPM singer Zack Tabudlo’s journey on The Voice Kids Philippines has come full circle. Returning to the stage that once launched him, he describes the experience as nothing short of surreal.
“It feels really surreal. I’ve said that a million times already, and I’ll never get tired of saying that because, again, I was a normal kid, I was just a student, and all of this feels like a dream,” Zack told Manila Standard Entertainment.
“Being able to be with these guys, these coaches, they’re people I looked up to when I was just a kid. So sometimes I think, do I really deserve to be here? At the same time, I feel like I’ve done a lot of work to become part of the show, and it just feels really nice,” he continued.
For Zack, his presence on the panel carries weight beyond his own career. He hopes his story shows young contestants that success can come full circle.
“It gives these kids a way to see that, okay, this coach was once a contestant who lost, but now he’s sitting here. That’s one of the most important things I want them to take from my journey,” Zack added.
The “Binibini” singer acknowledged that being a coach comes with high expectations and public scrutiny.
“There are always going to be criticisms, especially from people watching the show. But for us to be here means we were placed in this position for a reason. In terms of accomplishments, I don’t think we really have to explain much because we’ve done things in the industry that people can see,” he explained.
‘The Voice Kids 2025’ coaches Miguel and Paolo Benjamin of Ben&Ben, Julie Anne San Jose, Zack Tabudlo, and Billy Crawford
Meanwhile, Miguel Benjamin of folk-pop band Ben&Ben, also stepping into a coaching role for the first time, described the adjustment to television.
“It’s our first time really being on a TV show. Although both are entertainment, it’s very different from doing gigs and live shows. In so many ways, it’s fast-paced, and it involves so many people working together to make it happen. It’s really a team effort,” he said.
Like Zack, Miguel emphasized that coaching is a two-way street.
“Even though our role is to share our knowledge, we’re also learning so much for the first time. Every day is a rollercoaster of emotions,” Miguel shared.
Seasoned host and coach Billy Crawford praised the addition of younger artists like Tabudlo and Ben&Ben to the panel.
“It’s such a breath of fresh air working with these very inspiring and talented artists. They always bring something new to the table. In the same way that they learn from us, we also learn from them,” he said.
For Zack, the season is about inspiring young singers to believe in their own paths.
“It feels nice, and I hope these kids see that even if you stumble, there’s still a chance to come back,” he stated.
