She Was Living in a Shack, Collecting Trash to Eat — Then a Last-Minute Crisis Almost Stopped Her From Singing on The Voice Kids… What Happened Next Made TV History!

Lyca Gairanod was just nine years old when she stood on the stage of The Voice Kids Philippines, holding a microphone with trembling hands. The lights were bright, the cameras were rolling, and millions of viewers were watching. But what no one saw was the heartbreaking story behind the little girl with the powerful voice — and the moment of crisis that nearly ended her journey before it even began.

💔 A Childhood of Struggle

Before she ever sang a single note on national television, Lyca lived in a crumbling shack in Tanza, Cavite. Her family was so poor that most nights they went to sleep hungry. Her mother made a living collecting scrap materials — plastic bottles, cardboard, metal — and young Lyca would help her, often walking barefoot through garbage just to earn enough for a small meal.

She didn’t have toys. She didn’t have a bed. But she had a voice.

She sang as she helped her mother. She sang to distract herself from hunger. She sang to lift her family’s spirits. That voice — raw, emotional, and full of soul — was her only escape from a life defined by survival.

🎤 The Audition That Almost Didn’t Happen

When auditions for The Voice Kids came around, someone in the community suggested Lyca should try out. At first, the idea seemed ridiculous. They had no money for transportation, no proper clothes to wear, and Lyca herself doubted anyone would take a poor girl seriously.

But her mother insisted. “Your voice is a gift,” she said. “Let the world hear it.”

With the help of neighbors and small donations, Lyca and her mother managed to get to the audition venue. It was a long trip. They arrived exhausted, hungry — and terrified. Lyca wore secondhand clothes and worn-out sandals. She was the smallest in the waiting room, the quietest, and arguably the most nervous.

Then, just moments before her name was called, disaster struck.

⚠️ The Breakdown Before the Breakthrough

According to those backstage, Lyca began crying. She didn’t want to go out. Her confidence had collapsed. Surrounded by kids in expensive outfits and accompanied by professional vocal coaches, she felt completely out of place. She turned to her mother and whispered, “I can’t do it. I’m not like them.”

Her mother held her hand and simply said, “Sing like you’re singing for us. For home. For everything we’ve been through.”

Still shaking, Lyca walked onto the stage.

💫 A Voice That Changed Everything

She chose the song “Halik” by Aegis — a powerful Filipino ballad full of emotion and heartbreak. And from the first note, the room changed.

Her voice, clear but trembling, soared through the studio. One by one, the judges turned their chairs. Coach Sarah Geronimo was the first, clearly moved by the emotion packed into every word. By the end of the performance, the entire room was silent — and then erupted in applause.

People watching at home didn’t just see a child singing. They saw a survivor. A fighter. A girl who rose from the dirt and darkness and sang her way into the nation’s heart.

🏆 The Road to Victory

Lyca continued to shine in every round. She delivered performances that felt less like competition entries and more like heartfelt stories. Songs like “Dance with My Father” and “Narito Ako” brought tears to the eyes of viewers and judges alike.

When she was announced as the winner of The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1, she broke down on stage — not just because she had won, but because everything she had been through finally had meaning. She had made it.

From a scavenger to a superstar.

🌟 A Life Forever Changed

Lyca’s victory wasn’t just a TV moment — it was a national event. She received a cash prize, a house and lot, a recording contract, and most importantly, a new beginning for her family.

But she didn’t let the fame change her. She remained humble, focused, and committed to both her music and her studies. She went on to appear in TV dramas and variety shows, using her story to inspire others.

Even now, years later, Lyca continues to represent something far bigger than a singing competition. She is the voice of every child who grew up thinking their dreams were too far out of reach.

❤️ Final Note

The world saw a performance. But behind that was a little girl who almost gave up — not just on the competition, but on herself. One final push, one last breath of courage, and she didn’t just sing.

She made history.