MANILA - A seven-year-old girl from Cebu, who was the first hopeful of the third season of "The Voice Kids" to turn all three chairs, was Lea Salonga's first pick to advance to the live shows.

Yessha Hilkiah dela Calzada performed Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" on Sunday's Sing Offs.

Coach Sharon Cuneta praised the young girl's vocal power. "That was a good performance. Gusto ko 'yung power ng boses mo for a child your age," Cuneta said.

Earlier, Salonga said she was looking for someone tough to bring to the live shows.

"It's a very physically, as well as vocally and emotionally and mentally demanding time for them to do live shows," Salonga explained. "I need tough kids. Matatag ang kanilang mga utak, ang kanilang mga puso, maliban sa pagiging matatag ng kanilang mga boses."

Dela Calzada will be joined by FamiLEA teammates Joshua Oliveros and Angel Penaflor in the live shows.

"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."