Regine, Gary V, Angeline, and JK deal with 'Idol Kids Philippines' hopefuls

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Power Diva Angeline Quinto, chart-topping singer-songwriter Juan Karlos, and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano will lead the impressive panel of judges for the inaugural season of 'Idol Kids Philippines.' The show is set to premiere on the Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live, and TV5 on Saturdays and Sundays, starting June 28.

- ROBERT REQUINTINA

'Yung manner din ng pag correct namin sa kanila dapat doon sa language nila. It has to be maiintindihan nila sa emotions na dapat nilang ma-digest. (How we correct them should also be in their language. It has to be understandable to them through emotions that they should be able to digest)," she added.

During a recent media conference at ABS-CBN Studios, the judges discussed their experiences with hopefuls in the reality singing contest.

Regine said: "During auditions, I just realized hindi pala talaga nakikinig ang mga bata. Kaya pala makulit ang nanay natin noong bata pa tayo. Pero hindi tayo nakikinig. (During auditions, I just realized that kids don't listen. That's why our mom was so insistent when we were kids. But we don't listen.)

"It's hard being a mom, and it's even harder to balance being a judge while trying to correct them. And also try to be sensitive, kasi hindi mo naman anak yun. Kasi kung anak ko yun, sasabihin ko makinig siya sa akin. (Because that's not your child. Because if that were my child, I would tell him to listen to me.) So you need to balance everything.

"Their span of attention is so short, but they absorb. When they hear the information, they are unsure how to proceed with it. So I feel like they absorb it and put it somewhere in their brain. It's like saying the brain doesn't know what to do with it, so when they grow up, they will realize, 'eto na pala yun,' she said.

Regine also mentioned that the group was careful about the language used for the contestants.

Angeline expressed that she had second thoughts about accepting the show, as it was also challenging for her to say no to children.