Cavite ex-scavenger Lyca is first Voice Kids champion

Lyca Gairanod, a nine-year-old girl who used to scavenge junk in Tanza, Cavite to help her family survive, has won as the first-ever “The Voice Kids” champion, besting three other finalists.
Lyca was crowned at the finals at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila in Pasay City and received big prizes, including P1 million cash and a house and lot.
Lyca, who broke into tears after she was announced as champion, immediately dedicated her win to her mother and father.
The talent show on top network ABS-CBN became the top rating show going into the finals of the contest.
Lyca bested teammate Darren Espanto under adviser Sarah Geronimo who finished second, while Team Bamboo’s Juan Karlos Labajo and Team Lea Salonga’s Darlene Vibares finished third and fourth, respectively.

Aside from the P1 million cash prize and house and lot, Lyca’s also won a one-year recording contract with MCA Universal, a home appliance showcase, a musical instrument showcase, and P1 million worth of trust fund.
ABS-CBN reported on its website that Lyca impressed the coaches and the audience with her rendition of Regine Velasquez’ “Narito Ako” and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe” Saturday night (July 26), but what brought the house down was her version of “Basang Basa sa Ulan,” which she performed with band Aegis on Sunday (July 27), earning a standing ovation from coaches Lea Salonga, Bamboo, and the audience at Resorts World Manila.
Even before “The Voice Kids” started airing, Lyca had already made a mark on netizens and viewers with her blind audition performance of Aegis’ “Halik,” which was used as a teaser for the program and became a viral hit.
As she fought through the Battle Rounds, Sing-Offs, and Live Semi-Finals, Lyca was dubbed the “little superstar” and was likened by coach Lea Salonga to Nora Aunor who was a vendor before she shot to prominence by winning a national amateur singing contest.
According to the network, Lyca, a small kid with big dreams, became known for her heartfelt performances and humble background as a daughter of a fisherman who sometimes helps her mother scavenge junk to sell. Lyca also previously revealed that she would perform for her neighbors in exchange for cash or food.
Netizens also tuned in to Sunday show to wait for the announcement of the grand champion, as #TheVoiceKidsChampion, #TVKDarrenForTheChampion, #WowAngGwapoNiLuis, Jhong Hilario, Lani Misalucha, Gary V and JK, You Are My Song, and other finale-related hashtags trended worldwide and locally on Twitter.
The star-studded Sunday finale, hosted by Luis Manzano and Alex Gonzaga, also featured performances from Darren and Martin Nievera, Juan Karlos and Gary Valenciano, and Darlene and Lani Misalucha. It was opened by a lively performance from the Final Four young artists, the three coaches, and “The Voice of the Philippines” Season 1 grand winner Mitoy and finalists Klarisse de Guzman, Myk Perez, and Janice Javier.
Since its pilot, “The Voice Kids” has consistently ranked as the most watched program in the country, and recorded its all-time high national TV rating of 37.6% last June 8.
The “The Voice of the Philippines” Season 2 for adults, meanwhile, is expected to premiere before the year ends. For updates on the program, visit thevoice.abs-cbn.com, like www.facebook.com/thevoiceabscbn, or follow @thevoiceabscbn on Twitter and @abscbnthevoice on Instagram.