To Wield One's Voice

Writer: Aichael Josh Collado, Telegrafico

Researcher: Rizza Bornilla, Telegrafico The Singing Idol contestants of the Local Talent Search 2025, on the 12th of September at STI College Global City, made the stage their amplifier—their voice sending signals of raw passion that reverberated in the crowd’s hearts.

Their electrifying voices sparked up the energy, taking on the challenge of captivating the crowd solely with their voice. As they turned up the voltage and struck hearts, they proved the power that comes with being a true Singing Idol.

For some, performing in front of a crowd is nothing new. To others, however, it is like entering new territory. This is the case for Singing Idol contestant Erin Joy Salonga, who said, “Yes, sa buong buhay ko first time ko po sumali sa singing competition,” when asked about her experience. On the other side of the coin, Samantha Cafirma shared, “I already joined last year, then last year, and last year ulit. So it’s my fourth time,” when asked the same question.

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‎Each competitor may be driven by different inspirations for joining, but they all share the same ultimate goal: to inspire and to win. As such, choosing a song that fits your voice is vital in performing. Samantha said, "nakikita ko boses ko as rakista," when asked what was the inspiration behind her chosen song, Banal na Aso by Janine Berdin. On the other hand, Khalie Christopher Gorre shared that the inspiration behind performing "Isa Lang" by Arthur Neri was: "yung magulang ko." Especially yung lola ko kasi bata pa lang ako kumakanta na 'ko."

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‎Overall, expectations were high, but the competitors didn't just reach for the minimum—they flew higher. And although only one will be crowned champion, every contestant left a lasting mark.

Stepping on stage is like charging into battle, your voice and mic serving as your sword and shield. And in the aftermath of war, you may just emerge victorious if you wield your sword right.