John Michael Malen’s Inspiring CVAP Journey
For John Michael Malen, also known by his voice brand name “The Penetrating Voice,” discovering the world of voice artistry became a life-changing experience through the Certified Voice Artist Program (CVAP). His journey is not only a story of learning a new skill but also a powerful reminder that passion and determination can overcome any limitation.
John Michael first learned about the Certified Voice Artist Program through Gloria Antropia, who introduced him to the training and explained the opportunities it offers to aspiring voice artists. Through her encouragement, he was able to join the program as a scholar—an opportunity he considers a true blessing.
The program, founded by the renowned voice acting coach Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, widely known as the “Voice Master,” aims to train and inspire individuals who want to explore voice artistry. For John Michael, the opportunity meant even more because he is a person with disability. Being totally blind, he initially wondered if he could keep up with the training and assignments. However, CVAP proved to be a program that welcomes everyone, regardless of physical limitations.
John Michael expressed deep gratitude for the inclusive environment created by CVAP. The program does not place restrictions on who can participate; instead, it opens its doors to anyone willing to learn. In fact, he was not the only participant with a disability. Many visually impaired individuals also joined the training, showing that disability is not a barrier to creativity, learning, and personal growth.
Throughout the four-week training—held every Saturday—participants were given various assignments and activities designed to develop their voice skills. At first, John Michael worried that he might struggle, especially with tasks involving technology such as audio editing. As someone who was not very familiar with gadgets or editing tools, and still relatively new to the visually impaired community, he feared that these challenges might prevent him from finishing the program.
Despite these concerns, he persevered. With the support of fellow participants and people who helped him with editing and technical tasks, he was able to complete the assignments and continue learning. This experience not only helped him build new skills but also strengthened his confidence and determination.
What inspired John Michael the most were the teachings and motivational insights—often called “Pochology”—shared by Sir Pocholo. The stories, lessons, and encouragement provided by the Voice Master gave participants the motivation to keep pushing forward, especially those who face personal challenges in life.
For John Michael, the Certified Voice Artist Program is more than just a training course. It is a platform that empowers individuals, including people with disabilities, to discover their potential and share their voices with the world. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to Sir Pocholo and Ma’am Gloria for making it possible for him to be part of such a meaningful program.
Today, John Michael hopes that the program will continue to grow and inspire many more people. He believes that through initiatives like CVAP, more individuals—especially those who feel limited by their circumstances—will realize that their voices matter and that their dreams are still within reach.
His story serves as a powerful message: no matter the challenges we face, our voices can still be heard. With the right support, opportunities, and determination, anyone can turn their voice into a tool for inspiration and change.