MANILA, Philippines – “The Voice Kids Philippines” second runner-up Juan Karlos “JK” Labajo will inspire the viewers of ABS-CBN’s “Maalaala Mo Kaya” through his life story that will be aired this Saturday (September 27). The 13-year-old “The Voice Kids” heartthrob will portray himself in the upcoming episode.
Contrary to public perception that he is well-off, the half-German and half-Filipino teen singer will share in “MMK” the life of poverty that he faced since birth. Together with his grandmother and uncle who raised him, JK grew up thinking that he should work hard for everything that their family has.
We had huge debts in Cebu and we transferred from one house to another because of poverty
“A lot of people think that I come from a rich family because of the way I look. But what they don’t know is that we had huge debts in Cebu and we transferred from one house to another because of poverty,” said JK who grew up not knowing his German father while his mother was far away because of work.
When did JK realize he wanted to become a singer? How did he manage to wow the three coaches despite the fact that he lost his mother five days before his audition in “The Voice Kids?”
Also part of the upcoming episode are Phoemela Baranda, Janus Del Prado, Miguel Vergara, Jeric Raval, and Ces Quesada. It is directed by Garry Fernando and written by Benson Logronio and Arah Jell Badayos. “MMK” is led by business unit head Malou Santos and creative manager Mel Mendoza-del Rosario.
Capturing the hearts of Filipino viewers all over the world for the past 23 years, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” has legions of fans from different generations who cried, laughed, fell in love, and got inspired through the real-life narratives of the show’s letter-senders.