The coaches of The Voice Kids Philippines celebrated their recent win at the Asian Academy Creative Awards (AACA) by sharing insights on mentoring young contestants as the show enters battle rounds.
The program won Best Adaptation of an Existing Format (Non-Scripted), while coach Julie Anne San Jose’s “Gemini” earned Best Theme Song for the revenge series, Slay.
“Of course, I’m very happy, and it’s such a great honor. Natutuwa ako kasi narerecognize ang mga projects na ginagawa namin with GMA Network,” she said. “I’m very grateful to be part of those projects. This wouldn’t have happened without the whole production team and everyone behind them.”
Asked about what she looks for in contestants, Julie said she values both raw and refined talent.
“For me, what really matters is the journey we’ll go through together, from the beginning until the end of the show,” she said. “It’s really about the progress we’ll work on and how I can help the kids improve.”
As for the battle rounds, Julie Anne described it as an emotional experience for both coaches and contestants.
“It’s exciting but also scary because we have to be careful with what we say to the kids. Words can really stick with them,” she said. “We try to keep things positive and remind them that in life, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but what’s important is to keep going.”
When it comes to making difficult elimination decisions, Billy, on the other hand, said it’s something he can never fully prepare for.
“In life, I just want to teach the kids that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows,” he said. “Sometimes we go home with defeat, but we should learn from it and trust the process.”
He added that he hopes his contestants develop strength and leadership through the experience. “Regardless of whether they win or lose, I want them to have a good mentality,” he said.
Guiding through intention, folk-pop duo Ben&Ben emphasized that their main focus is guiding contestants to bring out their individuality.
“We think about how to bring out the strength of each kid,” they said. “Uniqueness and heart are what make us turn our chairs.”
For them, kindness is as important as talent. “At the end of the day, friendships last longer than trophies,” they said. “We want them to treat everyone with kindness and respect.”
Zack, who began his career as a contestant on The Voice Kids, said his experience allows him to empathize deeply with participants.
“I know how it feels to be on that stage,” he said. “I always tell the kids that competition ends, but what matters is that you keep going. I’m living proof of that.”
Zack said he gives his team, Project Z, freedom to choose their songs, encouraging accountability and creativity. “I guide them, but I let them decide. Choosing the right song is critical—it teaches responsibility,” he said.
As the blind auditions progress, Zack said he becomes more selective.
“Toward the end, you have to be more detailed because you’re not just thinking about your team—you’re thinking about the competition as a whole,” he said.
His advice to young artists: persistence matters most. “It doesn’t matter who wins,” he said. “What matters is you keep trying and performing even when it’s hard. That’s what makes a true artist.”
