After being hailed as the grand winner of the second season Idol Philippines, singer Khimo Gumatay shared he had tried being a live streamer in order to generate funds during the past two years.

“Yes dati pero nung mga times siguro mga latter part ng pandemic hindi na ako nakapag live stream nun. Talagang rumaket na lang ako sa bahay. Mga vocal works, mga kanta sa commercial, yun yung mga raket ko. Mga jingle, ganun,” he shared during the Idol PH Top 5 Season 2 Grand Media Conference held last September 25 inside the ABS-CBN compound.

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READ: Idol PH Champion Khimo Gumatay, iginapang ang pag-aaral sa pamamagitan ng pag-kanta

The 23-year-old singer from Makati City also recalled which comment from a judge he took to heart the most during his stint on the singing talent competition.

“Siguro isa sa mga comment na natanggap ko from the judges ng Idol Philippines Season 2, tinanggap ko siya as a challenge yung comment ni Moira (Dela Torre) na at that time I’m going to be the Idol Philippines Season 2 Grand Winner and ngayon na nandito ako sa harap niyo, tini-take ko siya as challenge kasi alam ko na hindi madali na magkaroon ng titulo. Pero tulad ng sabi ko paulit-ulit, hindi ako magsasawang sabihin na gagalingan ko pa at pagbubutihin ko pa po,” he explained.

READ: Vice Ganda gives advice to Idol Philippines winner: ‘Sana mag stay ka muna sa network na ‘to’

During the event, Khimo revealed to the press that he already had experience joining an international singing competition.

“Actually bago ako sumali sa Idol Philippines, sumali na ako sa isang international singing competition na held on Instagram and was hosted by one of the members of Boyz II Men si Wanya Morris. That competition is an international event na out of 200 dapat isa lang yung mananalo and yung mga competitors galing sa iba’t ibang bansa. For example, meron kaming naka-compete dun na finalist ng The Voice Brazil and meron ding back-up vocalist ni John Legend.

“So very challenging din yung competition na yun. Ako yung iisang Asian na nakapasok sa finals at that time. Malaking experience yun and at the same time sobrang madami akong natutunan and kahit papaano nadala ko sa Idol Philippines. And kung ano yung Khimo na nakikita niyo ngayon is product din ng competition na yun so sobrang thankful ako,” he admitted.

Since winning Idol Philippines, Khimo has been able to perform on Kapamilya shows like It’s Showtime for which he is very grateful. He also shared that he almost didn’t get to join the show.

“Actually nung una hindi talaga ako sasali dapat sa Idol Philippines. Pero sa tulong ng mga taong nakapaligid sa akin na mag-push talaga na sumali dito, ngayon I’m beyond thankful na sumali dito. Idol Philippines was indeed a very humbling experience and also a blessing,” he added.