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Darren Espanto and Juan Karlo Labajo Share Their Sacrifices for Joining ‘The Voice Kids’

Even though Coach Sarah Geronimo’s bets Lyca Gairanod and Darren Espanto emerged as the top two finalists in the recently-concluded "The Voice Kids," second runner-up Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo says he does not regret picking Bamboo Mañalac as his mentor after falling short of winning.

Darren Juan Karlo

Sarah and Bamboo both turned around for JK during his blind audition but the young artist ultimately chose to join Kamp Kawayan.

“I like Coach Sarah, but our music genres don’t match. She’s into ballads and pop. I chose Coach Bamboo because first of all, he has a unique voice,” JK explains in “Tapatan Ni Tunying” airing this Thursday (August 14).

JK shares in the episode that he can also relate to the life story of grand champion Lyca, who helped her mother scavenge junk to sell.

“Our life story is somehow similar because we used to collect junk before. Many people think that I come from a rich family because of the way I look. But what they don’t know is that we’ve racked up huge debts in Cebu and we don’t even own a house,” he says.

But JK’s biggest burden remains to be losing his mom five days before his audition in “The Voice Kids.”

“How I wish there were visiting hours in heaven,” he says.

Meanwhile, first runner-up Darren Espanto reveals how his parents had to borrow money to support his stint in the competition.

Darren, who was born and raised in Alberta, Canada, had to travel to and from the Philippines at one point in the contest. Darren’s father Lyndon Espanto says a round-trip ticket alone cost them CAD 1,800 or at least P 70,000 each.

“My mommy and daddy are buried in debt. They have sacrificed a lot for me. But if I want to pursue something, they are always there to support me,” Darren shares.

Now that Darren will continue his singing career in the Philippines, he readies himself when he eventually settles down in Manila with his relatives and away from his parents and sister.
JK and Darren reveal more about their life and career in this episode of “Tapatan ni Tunying.”
Don’t miss “Tapatan ni Tunying” this Thursday (August 14) at 4PM on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Gold. For updates, follow @TNTunying on Twitter and Instagram, or like its Facebook pagewww.facebook.com/TNTunying.

27 Comments on Darren Espanto and Juan Karlo Labajo Share Their Sacrifices for Joining ‘The Voice Kids’

  1. antonette parohinog // February 1, 2015 at 9:21 am //

    I like you darren..you are so pogi darren
    .
    ……

  2. antonette parohinog // February 1, 2015 at 9:16 am //

    hi…

  3. We will always support you Darren :))

  4. AngelByYourSide // August 16, 2014 at 8:59 pm //

    All four – Darren, lyca, JK and Darlene are stars in heaven that are meant to shine for us — to give us joy and happiness with their God-given talents — they teach us a wonderful lesson of pure love and innocence untainted by envy as the boys take care of their little “sisters” whenever they have shows – let us help them preserve that gift in their beautiful hearts — support all of them and send them our love.

  5. Natural, simple at may mababang-loob ni Darren bukod sa napakahusay sa pagkanta..hoping lang na pamarisan din sya ni lyca at ng iba pa mga bata..

  6. DARREN, you really rock my world. Galing na galing talaga ako sa iyo bata ka. How I wish my sons are talented like you. Pero mababait naman sila at magalang just like you. Kaya proud ako sa mga anak ko at sa iyo of course!

  7. DARREN THE TOTAL PERFORMER // August 15, 2014 at 11:59 am //

    whatever basta love na love ko si darren…super talented at super bait kaya nga dami niya blessings…magaling din lyca pero mas gusto ko music ni darren…good luck and God bless always…

  8. gratitude // August 15, 2014 at 7:59 am //

    I appreciate the efforts of Darrens’ fans especially Darrenatics who never failed to cheer and support Darren all the way. Aside from the talent, success of actors, singers or any celebrity is credited to the support of the fans, Paano sila sisikat kung walang fans na susuporta sa kanila, manood ng mga pelikula , shows at concerts nila, bibili ng album o magazine at iba pa. His fans wanted him to be successful and achieve his dreams because Darren is so talented, lovable, humble, kind and respectful. IDOL 🙂

  9. for a 13 year old…darren already proven a lot..he really worked hard and make sacrifices for him to be able to reach this moment..such a talented kid with a brave and good heart..we are always here darren,,we believed in you..despite not winning the TVK PH..YOU ALREADY WIN OUR HEARTS BIGTIME!!!!so keep you head held high coz the DARRENatics family were always by your side…we love you so much!!!

  10. anonymous // August 15, 2014 at 12:06 am //

    fyi, always trending si Darren. try to visit his fb and twitter so you’ll be aware of what’s happening. tapos na ang the voice kids pero para kay Darren nagsisimula na ang journey niya tungo sa tagumpay at kasikatan.:)

  11. HAHA …MOVE ON!!!!! NDI NA SILA TRENDING NGAYON,TPOS NA UNG MOMENTS NILA…HAHAHA///

  12. Anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 9:58 pm //

    You’ll always have our love and support Darren!

    ***************all the way from DXB**************

  13. Rhodora XXX // August 14, 2014 at 7:55 pm //

    Kmi ang magsisilbing PAMILYA mo d2 sa pinas ndi k nmin pababayaan MAHAL na MAHAL k nmin DARREN!!!

  14. certified darrenatic // August 14, 2014 at 7:53 pm //

    e pilantik ng daliri ni JK di mo ba napansin??

  15. anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 6:45 pm //

    may naligaw na langaw ay hindi bangaw pala pati bata pinapatulan! Super sikat na kasi si Darren kaya may haters na idolo ang iba dyan. That’s life in showbiz… tsk tsk
    .

  16. anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 6:22 pm //

    just keep on trying until you reach your dream – Darren on TNT. your dream is now a reality. super sikat ka na at maraming nagmamahal at sumusuporta sa iyo. Good luck and God bless !

  17. MRFlopQueenOfAllTime // August 14, 2014 at 6:18 pm //

    Birds of the same feather flocks together, di ba DE and JM?? Watch nyo GGV mas pumipilantik pa mga daliri ni DE kaysa kay LYCA.. after years.. alam na,, hahaha

  18. Ms. Domino // August 14, 2014 at 5:20 pm //

    Daming comments mostly good aboutDarren but whatever happens no one can deny that he’s the most outstanding performer in the voice kids…Solid ang mga Darrenatics kahit i bully nyo pa kmi…We will just continue to support our oneand only idol..

  19. anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 3:47 pm //

    maraming fans kasi si Darren na mahihirap din katulad ni Lyca ang hindi nakaboto hahaha!!!

  20. Anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 3:42 pm //

    All 4kids of the voice deserves where they are now. But for me darren has proven to be the most consistent,versatile and professional among the 4. We are defijitely lookingforward to his upcoming projects,shows,endorsements.. So goodluck to you darren,dont worry your are in good hands if you atre being handled by star cinema.

  21. Go Darren.
    We love u.

  22. MAS MARAMI FANS NI DARREN, EXAMPLE. TRENDING SYA LAGI SA TWITTER WORLDWIDE, SA MGA GUESTINGS NYA SYA ANG MAY PINAKAMARAMING FANS AT TALAGA NAMANG PINAGKAKAGULUHAN, MGA FANPAGE NYA SA FB,TWITTER IG AT GROUPS TALAGA NAMAN UMAAPAW ANG LIKED. SA ONLINE POLL NG ABSCBN SYA ANG PANALO AT NGAYON SA PINOY MAGAZINE SURVEY MAS MARAMI ANG BUMOTO SA KANYA…AMININ NATIN NA LIKAS SA ATIN ANG MAAWAIN.. DAHIL NAKUHA NI LYCA ANG PUSO NG MASANG PILIPINO DAHIL ITO AY MAHIRAP AT KAHIT PAPAANO MAGALING DIN NAMAN YUNG BATA KAYA LANG MAY MAS HIGIT NA MAHUSAY SA KANYA KUNDI SI DARREN…PANSININ NYO KARAMIHAN NG MGA NAG CHACHAMPION SA MGA REALITY AT SINGING SHOWS AY MAHIRAP…OK DIN NAMAN SI LYCA BATA PA SYA MARAMI PA YAN MATUTUNAN.. SI DARREN NAGSIKAP PARA MAGING MAHUSAY NA SINGER…GOD BLESS SA ATIN LAHAT..

  23. The moment na tinawag si lyca,, di ako makatayo sa kinauupuan ko, inaasar ako ng mga pinsan at kapatid ko kc talo daw si darren, pero quiet lang ako. pero narinig ko ulit sila iba na topic, nagtataka sila bakit nanalo si lyca…kc alam nila kahit si lyca ang gusto nila si DARREN ang pinaka deserving at Nagpakita ng PERFORMACE LEVEL na umaapaw… pero sad pa din ako that time.. until mag 1am di pa din ako mkatulog ..tingin ako ng tingin sa twitter account ko,, trending pa din sya..sa fb sya pa din ang topic.. nkatulog ako at nagising ng 3am at malungkot pa din.. Buong July 28,, sad pa din ako sobran dismaya.. for the second time natalo sya..

    Pero ngayon sobrang saya k na kc unti unti na natutupad ang lahat ng pangarap nia.. Im here for you baby Darren sa lahat ng gagawin mo sa industry..GOODLUCK

  24. MRFlopQueenOfAllTime // August 14, 2014 at 2:40 pm //

    Oo nga mrami p lang fans si Darren,, ang tanong bkt natalo???,, hahaha.. Anyway, lahat namn silang apat ay magagaling magkakaiba lang ang forte nila..Good luck sa inyo mga kids!

  25. anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 2:17 pm //

    puro n lang darren ang mga comments dito, this only proves that many of us here in the philippines and worldwide mahal talaga at todo suporta kay Darren. I’m a working mom but I always find time to surf the internet for any updates about Darren. Compared to other 3 kids, Darren has many commitments and pinakasikat at mabibingi ka talaga sa tilian ng mga fans niya tuwing mag guest siya sa show. naalala ko tuloy ang naranasan ni daniel p. Go and soar high Darren !!!

  26. anonymous // August 14, 2014 at 2:10 pm //

    catch darren on sept 12 guest of jed madela (by request) at the music museum tickets are sold at 2,500, 2,000, 1,500. he is also a guest performer at lani misalucha’s concert(cebu) catch him also at carnegie hall new york for the TO-FANY awards on oct 25. SOSYAL na mga guestings ni DARREN. WORLDCLASS

  27. lyca knows how to sing no doubt, but almost all known singers are for darren, why? because they know what a good singer is. i quote bamboo “talent gets my vote, not the life story of the contestant”. “PHENOMENAL” by leah. “TOTAL PERFORMER” by sarah. ONLY DARREN among all contestants gets a STANDING OVATION from the coaches.

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