Kid sings Bruno Mars hit, nabs final Team Lea spot

MANILA - Broadway star Lea Salonga on Saturday added two more "The Voice Kids" hopefuls to her team, making her the first coach of the singing contest to fill a roster of 24 young artists.

Al Vincent Casela, who hails from Bayambang, Pangasinan, joined Salonga's team after earning a three-chair salute with his cover of Bruno Mars' love ballad, "It Will Rain."

Salonga noted that he did not start his performance well, but became more confident as the song progressed. "Noong umpisa para you weren't hitting everything," she told Casela.

"Pero noong pumipihit na iyong mga silya, mas gumaling. And you were hitting notes with confidence dahil nga napaikot mo kami one by one by one," she added.

Casela was Salonga's second recruit of the night following Davao City's Henli Asueros. The two will compete with 22 others in the Battle Rounds for a chance to advance further in the singing contest.

"The Voice Kids," hosted by Luis Manzano, Robi Domingo, and Kim Chiu, airs Saturdays after "Home Sweetie Home" and on Sundays after "Goin' Bulilit."