Finding Your Voice, Your Character, and Your Community: A CVAP Journey
For Javi from Batch 9 of the Certified Voice Artist Program (CVAP), the journey into voice artistry was not just about learning how to perform voices—it was about discovering principles, discipline, and a supportive community that inspires growth.
Javi began his CVAP experience even before the official training started. The night before the first session, the program hosted an online welcome party, bringing together mentors, Certified Voice Artists (CVAs), and fellow participants. It was an exciting introduction to the CVAP community, where stories were shared and new friendships began to form.
For Javi, this sense of community quickly became one of the most meaningful parts of the program. Meeting people who share the same passion for voice acting created an environment where everyone could learn, grow, and support each other. Being part of such a community made the experience even more memorable and fulfilling.
Beyond the fun and camaraderie, CVAP also emphasized something deeper: principles and values. Guided by their Voice Master, the participants learned that passion must be built on strong principles. Javi reflected that if someone pursues a craft without the right mindset—especially if it is only for money—it becomes difficult to sustain success in any industry.
Through the program, students were taught the importance of staying grounded, remaining humble, and maintaining a good attitude. These lessons, Javi believes, are just as important as the technical aspects of voice acting. They serve as a foundation for both personal and professional growth.
Another key lesson Javi learned from CVAP is the idea that voice actors should not simply copy voices—they should become the voice. While mimicking voices may seem easy, true voice acting requires understanding the character, their motivations, and the story they are part of. Whether performing for dubbing, commercials, or audio-visual presentations, the goal is not imitation but authentic performance.
Practice also plays a crucial role in mastering the craft. Javi shared that many people believe that once they complete training or land a project, they have already done enough. However, voice acting—like any art—requires continuous practice and dedication. Improvement happens not only during classes or performances but also during the quiet moments when one continues to practice even without an audience.
Throughout the four-week program, participants completed various assignments designed to develop both their technical and creative skills. These included creating commercial voiceovers, audio-visual presentations, personal branding, and even building their own websites as voice artists.
Among all the activities, Javi’s favorite assignment was character voice acting. He enjoyed bringing to life characters from shows he grew up watching, such as Stitch, Squidward, and Stewie. For him, this was one of the most exciting aspects of voice acting—being able to portray characters that may not be possible to perform physically, yet still make them come alive through voice alone.
Another highlight of his CVAP journey was a live dubbing breakout room activity. Javi’s group, humorously named Lucky Daisy Chet and Megahertz, chose to dub a scene from the Filipino film Four Sisters and a Wedding. Due to unexpected technical difficulties within the group, Javi ended up stepping into a role he hadn’t planned for, which made the experience even more entertaining. The performance brought laughter to everyone involved, and for Javi, that moment of making others smile became one of the most fulfilling parts of the activity.
This message resonated deeply, especially during challenging times such as the global pandemic. In moments when people feel uncertain or discouraged, inspiring others—even through something as simple as a voice performance—can make a significant difference.
As Javi concluded his journey with CVAP Batch 9, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to the mentors, hosts, and organizers who made the program possible, including Sir Rich, Sir Jeff, and the many guest speakers who contributed their knowledge and experience.
Most especially, he thanked Sir Pocholo “Sir Choi” Gonzales, the Voice Master behind the program. Javi recalled a powerful statement from him: he did not aspire to simply be the man with a thousand voices, but rather the man behind a thousand voices.
For Javi, being one of those voices is both an honor and a responsibility.
Although the program lasted only four Saturdays, the lessons, friendships, and inspiration gained from CVAP will continue to shape his journey as a voice artist. And as he looks forward to the future, he carries with him the excitement of being part of a growing community dedicated to creativity, passion, and the power of voice.