Marc Samuel Francisco Antillion passes The Voice Kids Philippines audition. SUPPLIED

Could Dubai kid be next The Voice winner?

An 11-year-old Filipino boy from Dubai moved KZ Tandingan to tears at his The Voice Kids Philippines audition, stunning judges as he came closer to his dream of winning the popular reality singing competition. "Naiiyak ako (I am crying)," KZ said as she hugged Marc Samuel Francisco Antillion on stage after his performance. Antillion chose to be on KZ's team as co-judges Martin Nievera and Bamboo applauded. "Now I get what you felt when you saw me when I auditioned," a visibly emotional KZ said, pointing to Nievera. The veteran singer was one of the judges when a then unknown KZ auditioned in X Factor, declaring that "a star is born". For Antillion, Bamboo immediately turned his chair around as the boy sang the first few lines of "Ikaw Lang" by Nobita. KZ Tandingan and Martin Nievera also followed suit, with Nievera exclaiming, "Sounds like a record. Wow!" Watch the video below. Speaking to Expatmedia.net on his return to Dubai, Antillion said going into the blind auditions was “one of biggest dreams”. Antillion, who takes vocal classes at Ejay Studios Music Center, said it was his vocal coach who pushed him to audition for the popular reality singing competition. “I practiced a lot for the audition. Since the theme for this season is OPM (Original Pilipino Music), I had to study Tagalog songs which I don’t usually sing,” Antillion told Expatmedia.net. Antillion, who is a student of The Winchester School Jebel Ali and whose family lives in Jebel Ali in Dubai, said his family flew to the Philippines with him to support him during his audition. “There were more than 100 kids who got selected for the blind auditions so I was overwhelmed and quite nervous meeting lot of talented kids from different parts of the Philippines and some even travelled to the Philippines like me just to audition,” he said. “I was able to meet a lot of kids and make new friends because we were seeing each other for more a week during preparations, rehearsals and tapings. Kids were usually playing and singing along during spare times,” he told Expatmedia.net on Sunday (March 26) after returning to Dubai. During the blind auditions, coaches have their backs turned from the contestants, and decisions are based on vocal quality instead of the singer’s looks. Antillion said he didn’t feel nervous as he sang for the judges since he is used to performing on stage. He has performed in various events in the UAE, including BurJuman’s Rising Stars and Expo 2020 Dubai. At The Voice Kids Philippines audition, he sang “Ikaw Lang” by Nobita. He said it was one of 20 OPM songs that he was asked to list down, and which executives chose as his entry for the blind auditions. During the interview portion, Antillion received raves and praises from the judges, with Nievera saying: "You have the charm, you have stage presence and you have the voice." Bamboo commented: "I knew . It did not feel like an audition. It felt like watching a real performance." "I felt you were performing as if it were your last performance. That's what a real artist does," said KZ, who is scheduled to return to the UAE for a concert in June by SoundCloud Events. KZ had promised Antillion that she can "take him to the next level". Is Antillion confident that he will win The Voice Kids Philippines? “Yes, I believe that I’m ready to win The Voice Kids Philippines and will do my very best to prepare and achieve my goals,” he said. He is thankful for the support he has gotten in his musical journey. I would like to thank my family, relatives and friends here in Dubai and in the Philippines for believing in me and supporting me in this journey. Please continue praying for me and I promise that I will do my best throughout this journey,” he said. Antillion has been singing at an early age. “My parents would hear me singing along the songs played on the radio while in car and they will be surprised that I knew the songs,” he said. Singers who inspire him include Freddy Mercury, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth, Stephen Sanchez, KZ Tandingan, Ben & Ben, Zach Tabudlo and Darren Espanto. ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page