Nag-umpisa ang partisipasyon ni Bamboo Mañalac sa The Voice Philippines noong 2013.
Kasama niyang naging coach/mentor sina Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, at apl.de.ap.
Makalipas ang isang dekada, siya na lamang ang naiwang orihinal na coach at hurado ng programa.
Pansin na pansin ng mga nanonood ng The Voice Kids ang pagmamalasakit na ipinakikita ni Bamboo sa mga batang contestant, pati na ang sakit na nararamdaman niya para sa mga kalahok na hindi pinalad.
Pero sa tagal ng panahon bilang coach, mas interesado siyang makita ang reaksiyon ng kanyang mga kapwa hurado.
Pahayag niya, “For a guy who sort of... for a coach who’s been here for years, it’s just… it takes a lot, emotionally.
“You’ve seen everything na, e.
"So, for me, what really interests me is watching the other coaches. That’s the show for me, right?
“I’m seeing the guys right beside me and how they react... It’s so interesting for someone like me who’s been there for a while.
"And, of course, every child who auditions who doesn’t make it, you feel their pain. But as much as possible, you want to guide them from that na hindi masyadong masakit.
"Pero this is not the end of their journey. So just don’t take it hard. There’s another day na tomorrow is another day.
"They have another chance. If they really love what they do, they come back."
BIRTHDAY BOY
Ang makagawa pa siya ng mga record album ang isa sa kahilingan ni Bamboo nang magdiwang siya ng kaarawan noong March 21, 2023.
Si KZ Tandingan, na kasama ni Bamboo bilang coach at judge ng Season V ng The Voice Kids, ang isa sa mga nagbigay ng mensahe para sa kaarawan niya.
“Wish ko lang kay Coach Bamboo, palaging siyang healthy at masaya. Yun lang naman because he already has everything.
"And si Coach Bamboo, hindi siya mahirap pasayahin, actually.
“Mataas lang talaga ang standard niya pagdating sa The Voice. Mahirap paikutin si Coach Bamboo.
"Pero as a person, mabilis siyang pasayahin. Mabilis siyang matawa.
“I just wish him good health and happiness. Sana more music pa,” mensahe ni KZ sa digital media conference na dinaluhan nila ni Bamboo nitong Huwebes ng tanghali, March 23, 2023.
Reaksiyon naman ni Bamboo: “Thank you very much for everyone on Facebook, or everyone who sort of greeted me. I appreciate that.
"And I agree with KZ, it’s about more music.
“It’s about staying creative, which I love doing, so yun ang gusto ko talaga. That’s what I do. That’s my day job, right?
“I just look forward to more albums, more stuff to do and more collaborations so this is great.”
Special guest ni Bamboo si KZ sa magaganap na concert niya sa April 22 sa Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino, Palm Springs, California, at sa April 23 sa Hardrock Live, Sacramento, California.
Excited si Bamboo para sa U.S. concerts nila ni KZ. Pero higit na masaya siya para sa ibang mga Pilipinong mang-aawit na nabibigyan ng pagkakataong magtanghal sa buong mundo.
Saad niya, “I am so excited to go back to North America. It’s gonna be fun and I welcome other Filipino artists as well.
“Everyone’s sort of circulating globally. Music has been one of our flags and stamps. Nakikilala tayo dun so that’s something special.
"And then again, to play in great venues, that’s what I look forward to as well."