HOW SARAH G INSPIRED DARREN ESPANTO TO RELEASE MORE ORIGINAL SONGS

Following his first runner-up finish in "The Voice Kids Philippines" Season 1 in 2014, when he was 16, the now 24-year-old Darren Espanto has reflected on how much he has grown since then.

- By CHARMIE JOY PAGULONG

To mark his 11th year in the entertainment business, he dropped a new album called "Ikaw Pa Rin" under Star Music.

Now entering a new chapter in his music career, he hoped to release and perform more of his original music.

"I was 4'11 when I joined 'The Voice Kids.' Now I'm six feet tall. Literal growth," quipped Darren when asked at a presscon how much he's evolved as an artist.

On a serious note, the "more mature and perfectionist" Darren said he is no longer afraid to experiment in terms of his musicality. "I'm more verbal with what I want with my team. I used to always say yes before sa mga demo na binibigay for my album. But now, I'm more hands-on.

"I can say that I'm a perfectionist when it comes to performing and also my music. I guess I've also learned to grow with the industry if that makes sense because I made plenty of adjustments, especially from being such an introvert.

"As a guy from Canada, now I know how to (navigate things). I'm able to host ('It's) Showtime' now. So lumalabas yung personality ko lalo and that's some of the things I work on with myself. And that's part of my growth also."