MANILA, Philippines—“It’s harder to sing in front of 10 people than it is to play football in front of 30,000 people,” says Phil Younghusband, who actually has played football in front of 30,000 people.
But he grew up with football and he’s a natural athlete. Joining GMA-7’s second season of Celebrity Duets, on the other hand, is a totally new ballgame for the Brit-Pinoy athlete-turned-model.
“I joined for the enjoyment and for a challenge,” he says. “I’ve always enjoyed challenges, and for me, singing would be a challenge.” Of course, the charming young man is a self-confessed extrovert who has the confidence to carry it off. But can he sing?
“I love to sing,” he says, laughing. “Yeah, I do but only in the shower and with people I’m comfortable with (like in the car). But rarely to people I don’t know.”
But this is Celebrity Duets where the celebrities are not known for being singers. The contestants partner off with a real singer and, together, entice people to vote for them to stay in the show and perform for another week.
Phil’s competition, as buzzed on the net, include Joey Marquez, his sister Melanie Marquez, designer JC Buendia, and MMDA’s Bayani Fernando. Nope, not people known for their singing prowess either.
“I just met JC Buendia and Bayani Fernando the other day. I heard Bayani sing and he has a good voice,” Phil says about his competition. “I see him as a risk.”
Phil won’t be your Backstreet Boy but more like your Michael Buble—type crooner. Already, he has planned his strategy for winning.
“I would have to sing a Tagalog song,” he admits. “But right now I should learn a Tagalog song first. I’ll just stick to a song that I know.”
Strange to think that dribbling a ball and scoring a goal is easier than grabbing a mic and belting it out, but it’s different strokes for different blokes, really.
Phil is going to have fun but he’s also out there to win. “I am taking singing lessons. I’m also learning Tagalog,” he says. And to seal the deal? “I also bought a Magic Sing!”
Celebrity Duets season 2 airs every Saturday on GMA 7, 6:30 p.m. starting Saturday night.
Phil Younghusband’s Top 5 Songs (at the top of his head) 1. “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker 2. “Have I Told You Lately” by Rod Stewart 3. “Everything I Do (I Do It For You)” by Bryan Adams 4. “Never Let You Slip Away” by Andrew Gold 5. “Always Be My Baby” by David Cook
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