MANILA - Twelve-year-old Justin John Alva was a contestant in the previous season of "The Voice Kids," but he failed to move past the blind auditions. Not to be disheartened, he returned to the singing competition after working extensively on improving his voice.

"Nag-practice na po ako nang maigi at ipapakita ko po sa kanila kung gaano ako kagaling," said Alva, before launching into a cover of Survivor's "The Search is Over" and earning the first three-chair salute of Saturday's episode.

"You actually got better. I'm so happy na nandiyan ka. Noong nakita nga kita, sabi ko, 'Ayan, bumalik!' We don't forget people who are special," said Salonga, one of the three coaches with Bamboo Mañalac and Sharon Cuneta.

"I am so, so happy na nakita kita diyan ulit. That's the kind of person, artist na gusto ko. You took rejection and said, 'I will learn at gagalingan ko pa.' I'm so impressed by that," added Mañalac.

Cuneta, meanwhile, praised Alva for having the confidence to perform onstage despite missing three fingers on his right hand.

"Maraming limang daliri ang hindi makakanta ng ganyan," Cuneta told Alva. "Gustong gusto ko iyong quality ng boses mo for your age, may emosyon. I want to take of your talent. It would be my honor."

Alva eventually picked Mañalac, becoming only the second member of Team Bamboo after three rounds of blind auditions.

By the end of Saturday's episode, Salonga added two more to her roster of young artists, while Cuneta recruited one.

Cabanatuan native Natalie Zarena Martinez and seven-year-old Matthew Joshua Esconde became the fifth and sixth members of Team Lea. Justin John Alva of Lucena City, for his part, joined Cuneta's team.

"The Voice Kids," which is hosted by Luis Manzano, Robi Domingo, and Kim Chiu, airs Saturdays after "Home Sweetie Home" and on Sundays after "Wansapanataym."