Esang de Torres

Telesa Marie Castillejo "Esang" de Torres (born February 12, 2007), is a Filipina teen singer, songwriter and stage actress best known for portraying Lea Salonga's 'MiniMe' on ABS-CBN's It's Showtime, and joining the second season of The Voice Kids Philippines, ultimately picking Lea Salonga as her coach.

At the age of 5, she joined the SM Little Stars 2013 where she sang Beyonce's "Listen" and placed 3rd.

In 2014, she was named Best in Talent portraying as Lea Salonga's MiniMe in the noontime show It's Showtime (ABS-CBN).

One of the hosts cried after she sang her rendition of "Tomorrow" from Annie as he was touched by her youthful performance.

Since then, she was dubbed on TV as "Mini Lea Salonga."

On the same year, she became the Grand Winner in Promil Pre-School I-Shine Talent Camp 3 (ABS-CBN), with Zsa Zsa Padilla as her coach.

The prize included a contract from Star Magic.

In 2015, when she was 8, De Torres auditioned for the second season of The Voice Kids Philippines.

Her rendition of "Home" (from The Wiz) had all the coaches turning for her.

She received a standing ovation from all of them even before the performance ended.

Salonga immediately recognized her as the young singer on It's Showtime's MiniMe segment as Lea.

Bamboo was speechless, while Sarah Geronimo immediately showed respect to the 8-year-old, telling her that she is an "extraordinary child" and that she is a "big fan" of De Torres.

The three coaches fought hard for her, with Geronimo showing the trophy of The Voice, reminding her of Geronimo's wins from previous seasons.

However, Salonga immediately dismissed Geronimo's reminder, telling De Torres that "the future is more important."

Salonga then brought out a book to write a story about a beautiful princess with a beautiful voice named "Esang", and that she will help the young singer win and they "will live happily ever after."

De Torres ultimately picked Salonga as her coach.

Her audition has over 28 million views to date.

During the battle rounds, De Torres, along with teammate Bianca and Stephanie Sang "Somewhere Out There."

When Geronimo was asked to choose among the three of them, she picked Esang, saying "this child has crushed my heart ever since the blind auditions."

Salonga chose De Torres to move on to the Sing- offs.

During the Sing-offs, she sang her rendition of Leah Navarro's "Isang Mundo, Isang Awit."

She, along with teammate Reynan Dal- Anay moved on to the live shows.

During the semi-finals of the live shows, De Torres sang "Salamat, Salamat Musika" which earned praises from Geronimo and Salonga, the latter saying, "clearly, the moment you entered that stage, you are a star. You are just a star" and that "you are a complete package: the voice, the looks, everything. I thank God that you have chosen me as your coach, and that He gave you that talent. What a talented kid."

Geronimo expressed how 'sharpened' already De Torres was, and that she 'salutes' the 8-year-old.

De torres moved on to the finals, along with Reynan Dal Anay, Elha Nympha and Sassa Dagdag.

At age 9, De Torres became the youngest artist to stage a major solo concert in the Philippines. At that time she released her first solo album, Ako ay Kakanta." In 2016, she had her professional musical theatre debut as Little Cosette in the Manila run of the musical Les Misérables. De Torres played the same role in the musical's Singapore run. In 2017, De Torres played her first lead role as Matilda in the Manila run of Broadway's Matilda the Musical. She was also a contestant on ABS-CBN's fourth season of Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids (season 2) where she finished as 3rd placer.

"I believe my music is always based on what I express on. It's like my inner voice coming through," De Torres states.

Early life

Esang De Torres was born in Manila, to Mary Joyce and Telesforo De Torres.

She hails from Tondo, Manila.

Esang has an older brother named James, who is also involved in such musical skills such as playing the guitar and piano.

When she was just 2, De Torres started humming tunes.

The first song she ever sang on a karaoke machine was Andy Williams' 'The Shadow of Your Smile'.

When she turned 3, she could sing anything she listened to.

Both her parents' side are musically inclined.

Thus, her talents have been very well supported.

Her father was her first coach, who taught her the basics of singing.

He was a band vocalist and a theatre singer back in the day.

De Torres joined various talent shows.

Her first singing competition was at the age of 4.