Agusan raised Jay Allen of The Voice Poland

POLAND. Jay Allen of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, sings “Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic during the blind audition of The Voice Poland. (Screengrab from the official video of the Voice of Poland)
POLAND. Jay Allen of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte, sings “Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic during the blind audition of The Voice Poland. (Screengrab from the official video of the Voice of Poland)

AT 10 years old, Jay Allen of Buenavista, Agusan del Norte had his heart set on singing, joining amateur singing contests in radio stations even at such a young age.

Born into a family of singers and music lovers, the young Allen was disheartened when he placed only third in a singing contest. That made him stop singing.

"Hanggang third lang kasi sintonado akong kumanta. Pagkatapos noon di na ako kumanta hanggang pagtapos ko ng high school naisipan kong mag praktis ng gitara," Allen said.

In 2006, he became the guitarist of a local band.

In 2011, Allen decided to go to Bangkok, Thailand to pursue his career as a solo artist, as according to him, it’s easier to be a solo artist rather than being in a band.

It was also in Bangkok that Allen met the lady who stole his heart and became the love of his life, his Polish wife Julka Allen.

Last year, Jay and Julka transferred to Warsaw, Poland, where Jay joined a singing contest after years of being a solo artist. And the catalyst for such event was his wife.

"Last June, this year, the day before The Voice Poland casting, sinabi ng asawa ko na punta tayo ng casting for The Voice Poland bukas. Di ko akalaing pupunta ako kasi may gig ako pagkabukas ng gabi tapos wala sa plano ko ang sumali," Jay said.

"Pero kinabukasan ginising niya ako ng sobrang aga, 7 a.m., at pinaghanda para sa casting. Pumunta kami at nag fill up ang asawa ko ng form kasi di naman ako marunong mag Polish, at buti nalang din natanggap ako sa casting para sa blind audition," he added.

For the blind audition, Jay sang "Love Runs Out" by OneRepublic. It was the song that got him on to the next stage of the competition with Alicja Markowska as his coach.

Jay also won against Alicja Smielak during the Battle Round with both of them singing "Come and Get It" by John Newman.

Being accepted and winning the battle round, however, resulted to a mixed reaction from Jay as despite being happy, he's also not excited.

"Ayoko kasing mag expect ng mataas baka negative ang resulta. Kaya hanggang happy lang ako," Jay said.

Asked what kind of preparations he did before singing on stage, Jay said he refrains from eating or drinking anything.

"Sobrang pagod kahihintay kasi marami pang dapat gawin before kumanta, halimbawa, make up, costume/outfit, filming interviews, actions, whole day sa studio hanggang gabi," Jay said.

"Pero mamaya naman kahit pagod kasi marami kang makikilala at magiging kaibigan lalo na kapwa ko contestants tapos mga mababait naman mga crewmen sa tv production tsaka friendly din ang judge ko na si Alicja Markowska," he added.

Just as he feels not excited, Jay also doesn't expect to win the competition, saying that there are several contestants who are better singers than him.

"Sa tingin ko, malabo akong manalo kasi una, hindi ako nakakapag Polish, kailangan kasi mag compose ng Polish sa mga later episodes. Pangalawa, marami ding magagaling pa kaysa sa akin," Jay said.

Regardless, this will not stop Jay from singing as it’s his love and passion, to the point that even though he's sick, he still sings.

He even composes and writes his own songs such as "Depend On Me," "Could You Be Mine," and "Beautiful Day."

That's how dedicated Jay is to singing.

And for those who are aspiring singers with a passion like Jay:

"Ang masasabi ko lang sa kanila na kailangang maging open-minded, practice palagi, at seryoso sa pagkanta."

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