With now only eighteen hopefuls remaining, "Idol Kids Philippines" is moving on to the next stage—the live shows. Everyone’s excited, including Shanaia Gomez and Jeremy G, who will be bringing fans all the behind-the-scenes happenings through the online gap show "Idol Kids Philippines Spotlight."
Shanaia, who has witnessed the kids’ journey from Day 1, is especially thrilled for this new chapter. "From the auditions pa lang, seeing these kids grow, I cannot wait to see how their performance levels up even more," she gushed in a Kapamilya Chat appearance with Jeremy.
Meanwhile, Jeremy admits he’s just as nervous as he is excited, not only for the kids but also for himself as he steps into his new role of co-hosting “Idol Kids Philippines Spotlight.” And he's grateful to the program for giving him the opportunity to join them and to witness firsthand the journey of young singers who will become the future of the music industry.
This hosting stint is like an extension of his love for the music scene. From being a contestant and finalist on "The Voice Teens" in 2017 to now hosting a singing competition for kids, he sees it as a full-circle moment that reflects his growth as an artist. For him, “Idol Kids Philippines” is proof that Pinoys never run out of new breed of talented young singers. As a host, he also knows that part of his job is to make the kids feel guided and supported, especially when he interviews them backstage.
This isn’t his first time dealing with kids in a hosting gig, so he knows the drill. One thing he’s mindful of is the difference in dynamic when interviewing children versus adult artists, especially in a competition setting where emotions run high. "Throughout the madness of what's happening on stage in the main show, you have to show them that they're still kids. And it's also their dream to be here. As a host, I think it's one of our duties to show the kids na you can still enjoy and do your best," he said, which Shanaia seconded, "They're still very young and pure." She added that part of the job is making sure the contenders feel at ease during conversations, since some are understandably shy, especially first-timers in competitions and on national TV.
As Jeremy put it, kids are like sponges who easily absorb whatever they see, hear, or learn around them. That’s why the hosts want to make sure the experience is fun for them above all else. And true enough, both Jeremy and Shanaia love seeing how the hopefuls always manage to stay happy.
“They always find a silver lining,” Shanaia said, remembering how even those who didn’t pass the auditions with judges Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Angeline Quinto, and JK Labajo still walked away smiling. "They were happy, like, 'yung iba that they were able to enter ABS-CBN, they got to experience being in the studio, they got to meet their idols." That's exactly why they make it a point to congratulate all the kids. Advancing or not, the bravery and talent these young artists show is already a win.
When asked for their message to the hopefuls, Shanaia shared, “No matter what, your ates and kuyas are very, very proud of you. I’m so excited for what you are going to showcase for the next two weekends.” She also reminded them that the best prize isn’t just in winning but in gaining lifelong friends and memories. Jeremy chimed in, “Alam namin you're going to do your best pero tandaan ninyo, whatever happens in the next weeks is only the start of your journey. Don't forget to enjoy along the way."
Catch “Idol Kids Philippines” on weekends at 7:15 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), and A2Z; and on TV5 at 8:00 PM every Saturday and 8:30 PM every Sunday.