Two Benjamins, one Benkada.
The addition of Ben&Ben’s Paolo and Miguel Benjamin Guico to the coach lineup for "The Voice Kids PH 2025" makes for an interesting storyline as the twins are set to become the first mentor duo in the history of the local singing search.
Though entering unchartered waters, first-time coaches Paolo and Miguel believe that being the lead vocalists of their nine-member band, as well as their life-long twinhood chemistry are key as they shepherd the ‘BenKada.’
“Napag-usapan na namin kung ano yung hinahanap namin in general. Maga-guide nun ang pag-ikot namin pagdating sa blinds [auditions],” they said in an interview with GMA Regional TV News.
“At the end of the day feeling sya eh,” added the Guico twins, suggesting that the most crucial part is having to decide when to turn within minutes while also listening intently to the performances, “tiwala na lang talaga sa kapatid, sa non-verbal cues.”
Being a two-man panel throughout the blind auditions poses a unique challenge for Paolo and Miguel, who will need to be sychronized in their decision-making process as they are only given one red button.
It seems, however, that they’ve already brainstormed on a premeditated gameplan.
“Alam na namin ang hinahanap namin sa team this early: uniqueness at heart. We think yun yung most important for us, tapos pag kumakanta na yung kids malalaman na namin yun, hopefully,” they shared, adding that their brotherhood has given them the superpower to "get" each other even without talking.
The 30-year-old twins, who serve as the lead vocalists of the highly acclaimed folk band and Spotify’s most streamed Filipino artist 'Ben&Ben,' also relish the fact that they’re set to choose and coach nine kids– which coincidentally is also their band's member count.
"Ben&Ben" is composed of Paolo and Miguel (vocals, acoustic guitar), Poch Barretto (lead guitar, backing vocals), Jam Villanueva (drums), Agnes Reoma (bass guitar), Andrew De Pano (percussion, backing vocals), Toni Muñoz (percussion, lead and backing vocals), Keifer Cabugao (violin, backing vocals) and Patricia Lasaten (keyboard).
“Ang ganda lang kasi nabalitaan namin na nine kids din ang pipiliin dito sa bawat isang team, so sobrang nakaka-excite. Sanay na sanay kaming magtipon ng mga taong sobrang magkaiba ng timpla at pinanggalingan pero iisa ang goal,” they shared.
Asked about their competition goal aside from the hope of winning the championship, Paolo and Miguel have a united aim to make the experience a core memory for their soon-to-be mentees.
"Ang gusto lang namin is after nung time nila dito sa The Voice Kids, whether early on or all the way sa pag abot sa finals, bawat isang bata sa team namin ay maging core memory nila ito, at maalala nila as a good memory na mababaon nila hanggang pagtanda nila.”
Their entry to the Philippine adaptation of the world-famous singing franchise was announced last July 31, joining young OPM hit-maker and fellow newbie coach Zack Tabudlo, as well as The Voice Kids PH mainstays Coach Julie Anne San Jose of JuleSquad and Coach Billy Crawford of Team Bilib.
The previous edition of "The Voice Kids Philippines" had SB19’s Stell and Pablo as coaches, with Nevin Adam Garceniego of Tropa ni Pablo being hailed as the grand champion last December 2024.
“The Voice Kids PH 2025” is currently under production and will air soon only on GMA Network.
