ABS-CBN's Voice Philippines Season 2 finalist Kokoi Baldo, who is labeled as the Bob Marley of the Philippines, is back to his normal life after he left quick and easy his celebrity status.
He was spotted in a modest Badyang Cafe in Barangay Granada, Bacolod City doing his part-time chore, selling the famous Taho, a popular snack food which is made of soft and silken tofu arnibal with sago pearls.
His abrupt stardom helped him to share his gift of having a distinct and powerful voice with others.
On stage, Kokoi earned the moniker of being the "Halimaw sa Galing," because of his extraordinary talent.
He succeeded in getting the approval of The Voice of the Philippines' coaches Sarah Geronimo, Lea Salonga, Apl.de.Ap, and Bamboo Mañalac during his short stint in the competition.
Kokoi said he considered his stardom as just part of his life.
Now that he is out of fame, he is just the simple Kokoi Baldo who hails from Barangay 16, Bacolod City.
He said he considered music as both a temptation and a curse.
His talent did not originate from him. He just borrowed it from the Almighty Father. But despite the ups and downs that he underwent in life, he is still blessed because of that borrowed talent.
"A lot of people dream of having my talent. But, I never dreamed of this before especially of becoming a prominent figure in music. My only dream was to know how to sing. But due to my dedication and love for music, I was given that remarkable opportunity to sing and be known in the country," he said.
He believes that stardom has its good and bad side which is both a temptation and a curse.
"My pastor friend has once told me that music is both a temptation and a curse. But I considered it as a gift given to me by the Almighty Father. We are given the freedom on how to use it rightly and how we could share it with others. When you are popular, all temptations are there, thus it is also considered a curse. It is a form of temptation that you will undergo beyond your expectation. But it depends in us and in our hearts on how we discern between the good and bad," he said.
But according to him, music has also its brighter side. It goes with the fact that you inspire others with your music especially those who dream and strive to become like you. It all depends on you and how you balance things and situations.
He also disclosed that when he comes up the stage to perform, as he normally closes his eyes, he feels that it is not him who performs. "There's an energy that comes from my heart. I am a person who is particular with the lyrics and not on the musical instruments. I just let that energy lead me during my performance. I have my own composition based on my personal experience and feelings. The negative vibe that I felt, I convert it to positive energy which can be resounded to others."
The Covid-19 pandemic has encouraged him to stay optimistic, believing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
"There is hope in us and we should never stop seeking or doing what is good. Inspire others based on what you have undergone in life. Music is about unity. It was created to unite the people," he said.
Kokoi also said that he loves to commune with nature. He loves to go on surfing. "I felt a different energy from water and it is liberating."
He tried surfing before on the shores of Sipalay. But due to the pandemic where he was also hit economically, he just loves to reminisce it.
Kokoi loves to perform on stage barefooted. He was simple but his music reverberates in the hearts of his fans.