JK Labajo on being compared to Darren Espanto: ‘We never compared ourselves’

Rhea Manila Santos

<div><img src='' alt='080615-jk_main.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>After an impressive third place finish in the first season of <i>The Voice Kids</i> and a role in the country's number one television series <i>Pangako Sa 'Yo</i>, JK Labajo said he is on cloud nine. The 14-year-old performer recently launched his self-titled debut album under MCA Music. “I'm so thankful, so blessed for this wonderful opportunity. Super <i>tagal kong naghintay</i> for this and super happy <i>talaga ako. Sa sobrang </i>happy <i>parang hindi ata ako nakatulog kasi minemorize ko ng minemorize yung</i> song for the first recording,” he shared.</div><div><br/></div><div>JK admitted he never saw himself making it this far in the industry in just a little over a year. <i>“Nung natapos yung The Voice Kids, talagang akala ko</i> this is it, this is the end. So<i> naisip ko magempake na at umuwi na ng</i> Cebu. So<i> nabigla ako nung si</i> Mr. Johnny Manahan <i>andun siya sa</i> backstage <i>tapos </i>he asked me <i>kung gusto kong mag-artista. Siyempre ak</i>o emotional <i>pero ayoko ipakita na</i> emotional <i>ako. Talagang biglang</i> yes!<i> Kaya ngayon talagang di ko in-expect na aabot ako dito ngayon. Sino ba namang hindi magiging super saya</i> about this blessing? Unexpected expectations, <i>yung mga</i> expectations <i>na hindi</i> mo<i> inaasahan na mangyayari at makakamit ko. </i>I'm shocked. <i>Talagang gusto ko ito pero tipong nabigla ako kasi nangyari siya.</i> I'm really so thankful and <i>sa sobrang [ilang] beses ko na siyang sinasabi parang hindi na siya nagmumukhang makatotohanan pero</i> that's really how I'm feeling right now,” he shared during his album launch presscon held last August 4 at Jollibee in E. Rodriguez Blvd. in Quezon city.</div><div><br/></div><div>Contrary to what the public may think, JK said he and his fellow finalists on The Voice Kids are actually very supportive of each other and are even studying in the same school under scholarship in their home school program. <i>“Nag-su-suportahan talaga kami kasi may nabuo na kaming </i>friendship <i>sa amin</i> since it's been a year <i>na po ata. Kumabaga wala sa isip namin yung inggit. Para sa amin pantay-pantay lang kami sa isa't isa</i> and we're brothers and sisters so<i> dapat mag-suportahan talaga,</i>” he said.</div><div><br/></div><div>The <i>Pangako Sa 'Yo </i>actor said he and Darren remain the best of friends and just laugh off the comparison. “Actually<i> naguusap kami.</i> As in <i>natatawa talaga kami. Kasi kami </i>we never compared ourselves to each other. <i>Talagang pantay lang yung tingin namin sa isa't isa </i>and we always support each other like <i>'Uy</i> bro good luck <i>sa</i> concert!' or '<i>Uy J</i>K good luck <i>sa teleserye ah!'</i> So <i>parang </i>it's a win-win situation po,” he said.</div><div></div><div><img src='' alt='080615-jk_main.jpg' width='400' height='290' align='left' border='0'>JK said that unlike his friend, he does not feel ready to hold a major concert anytime this year. “Feeling hindi pa ako masyadong ready. Kasi gusto ko madami akong matututunan before ako sumalang sa ganung level. <i>Kasi</i> Darren is a great performer <i>talaga </i>and before <i>The Voice Kids</i> <i>pa talagang meron na siyang ano </i>(experience) <i>sa</i> camera and <i>talagang </i>for sure reading ready<i> na siya. </i>And I'm here to support him as his brother. Hindi pa po ako ready. <i>Baka </i>birthday <i>ko </i>next year<i> puwede na</i> (laughs). Joke lang. Music Museum lang po muna tayo,” he added.</div><div><br/></div><div>One of the people who has been vocal about JK is his mentor on the show Bamboo<i>. “Alam niyo si</i> coach Bamboo slang <i>na </i>slang<i> yun eh. </i>He said he was very proud, so proud and <i>ako naman</i> overwhelmed. <i>Yung parang malapit na ako maging</i> emotional<i> sa sinabi niya. Siya yung naging</i> coach <i>ko </i>for<i> The Voice Kids</i> and I made the right choice,” he admitted.</div><div><br/></div><div>For the current contestants of the show, JK had some simple words of advice. “Good luck. That's the word <i>po talaga kasi ‘pag dadating na kayo sa</i> live stage<i> ng TVK wala na hong bawian. Wala ng </i>take two or take three, <i>talagang wala na siyang bawian. Kung ano yung makita ng tao yun ang tatatak sa isip ng tao </i>so do all the best that you can. <i>Yung parang pag ginawa mo ito yung tipong</i> this is your last performance <i>na dapat parang may pasabog. </i>Do the best that you can and good luck,” he said.</div>

JK Labajo says he is proud to launch his self-titled debut album.

JK Labajo on being compared to Darren Espanto: ‘We never compared ourselves’ | PUSH.COM.PH