Folk-pop duo Ben&Ben, composed of twins Paolo and Miguel Benjamin, opened up about their experience as first-time coaches on ‘The Voice Kids Philippines’ Season 2 — describing it as both nerve-wracking and deeply fulfilling.
“Nung una, syempre first time namin eh, so nakakakaba talaga,” they shared. “With anything that you do for the first time, may learning curve. Being on TV sobrang nakaka-ano talaga. Of course, may impostor syndrome din kasi. It’s an honor to be a coach, pero at the same time kinukwestyon din namin na kung worthy ba kami and everything.”
They said what kept them grounded was remembering why they were there in the first place.
“I think yung nag-squash ng lahat ng yun is yung ‘intention.’ At the end of the day, ay tulungan yung mga bata na may pangarap. It’s an honor to be a part of that here in The Voice Kids,” they added.
Ben&Ben also shared how they use their own life and career experiences to guide the young artists in their team.
“Kaya talagang kung ano man yung experience namin in all of the aspects — technical but also emotional, mental things — yun yung sinusubukan naming gamitin para i-guide yung mga kids in whatever way we can be of help dito sa The Voice Kids.”
When asked how they make decisions as a “double-chair coach,” the duo revealed that their dynamic relies heavily on instinct and silent understanding.
“We don’t [communicate]. It’s more of pag na-feel namin sa isa’t isa na yun na yun, pero pag hindi pa, di pa — ganun lang kasimple,” they explained.
“Ang isang ginagawa namin lalo na heading into the battle rounds is pinag-iisipan rin namin together kung paano matutulungan yung mga teams ng mga bata. Kasi syempre may kanya-kanyang uniqueness yung mga bata, may kanya-kanyang style. Sinusubukan namin silang gabayan in terms of ‘ano ba yung best ways para mapalabas yung strength ng bawat isang bata.’”
As for what they look for in young talents during the blind auditions, Ben&Ben said they are drawn to singers who bring something truly distinct and heartfelt.
“I think we can both agree na uniqueness talaga — uniqueness and heart. Kasi you can hear it and you can feel it, lalo na sa blinds. Kapag yung singer is trying to convey something na bihira mo marinig, that’s what we turn for.”
Now that ‘The Voice Kids’ heads into the battle rounds, the duo hopes their team — fondly called Team BenKada — will remember lessons that go beyond the competition.
“It’s to really give it their best, but also to treat everyone with kindness and respect even if co-competitors nila yun, lalo na teammates nila yun,” they said. “Kasi at the end of the day, yung pagkakaibigan na mabubuo [nila] yun yung nagtatagal. Aside from the work ethic that they can build at such a young age, yung friendships — yun yung nagbubuo ng memories.”
Ben&Ben joins fellow coaches Julie Anne San Jose, Zack Tabudlo, and Billy Crawford on ‘The Voice Kids Philippines’ Season 2, which premiered on GMA Network last September 14.
