The Beginning of a Voiceover Journey
Every voiceover journey begins with a moment of courage—the decision to try something new and follow a passion. For the creator behind Uni Voice L Studios, that moment came through an unexpected opportunity that eventually led to the start of an exciting voiceover adventure.
The journey began when Kathleen Sonye, famously recognized as the voice behind the well-known Jollibee delivery line, posted a video on TikTok announcing that she would be giving ten scholarships for a voiceover training program. Interested applicants simply needed to duet her video, submit a voice sample, and share their personal reason—their biggest “why”—for wanting to join the program.
Taking a leap of faith, Uni Voice L Studios decided to audition on January 6. The process was simple but meaningful: introduce yourself, showcase your voice, and explain why you want to pursue voiceover. Fortunately, luck was on their side. Just two days later, on January 8, the exciting news arrived—they had been selected as one of the scholarship recipients for the Certified Voice Artist Program (CVAP). What made the moment even more thrilling was that the training would begin the very next day.
On January 9 at exactly 9:00 AM, the first day of training officially started. However, the morning did not begin as smoothly as planned. Since the creator was not used to waking up early—especially with a usual schedule starting later in the day—it became a challenge to get up on time. In fact, they woke up right at 9:00 AM, the same time the training was beginning. With no time to prepare, they quickly rushed to log in to Zoom, hoping not to miss the opening session.
Despite the rushed start, the emotions of that morning were unforgettable. There was a mix of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity. It felt similar to being a student on the first day of school—uncertain but eager to learn and meet new people.
The training session was hosted by Miss Nikki, whose lively and energetic personality immediately set a welcoming atmosphere. The program felt surprisingly organized and engaging, making the participants feel comfortable even though everything was happening online. Soon after, the trainees were introduced to Pocholo Gonzales, a respected figure in the voice acting industry.
Interestingly, this was the first time the creator truly learned about him. Before joining the program, they were not familiar with his work. But as he began sharing his story, it quickly became clear how influential he is in the voice acting world. His journey in the industry revealed both the opportunities and the challenges that voice artists face.
What impressed the participants the most was his incredible vocal range. Every time he demonstrated different character voices, everyone watched in amazement. It was fascinating to realize that many voices heard in commercials, television, and radio often come from the same talented individuals working behind the scenes.
More importantly, his message about voice acting left a lasting impression. He explained that voiceover should not simply be treated as a way to make money. Instead, it should come from genuine passion. Opportunities in the industry can be unpredictable—sometimes projects come, and sometimes they don’t. Because of this, aspiring voice artists must develop perseverance, confidence, and the willingness to continuously improve their skills.
Later in the afternoon, after the lunch break, the trainees were divided into smaller groups through breakout rooms. This gave everyone the chance to meet their fellow batchmates and learn more about each other. Uni Voice L Studios was assigned to Breakout Room 3, where they met several new friends including James, Kyla, Omar, Steph, Lyar, and Miguel.
During the session, everyone shared a bit about themselves—their background, their current lives, and their goals for the future. The conversation quickly became lively as participants discovered connections between them. Some realized they lived in nearby cities, while others came from different regions of the country. One memorable moment was meeting a fellow participant from Mindanao and speaking in Bisaya, which instantly created a sense of familiarity and friendship.
Even though everyone was meeting through a screen, the experience felt genuine and enjoyable. It showed that passion can bring people together, regardless of distance. Even in an online setup, meaningful connections were already beginning to form among the trainees.
At the end of the session, everyone returned to the main Zoom room where the leaders introduced each group and their members to the entire class. It was a simple activity, but it helped everyone feel more connected as part of one community.
The first day of training was mostly focused on introductions and getting to know one another. It was a long and slightly exhausting day, but it was also fulfilling. The experience renewed the participants’ passion for voice acting and reminded them why they chose to pursue this path.
Just before the session ended, however, one final surprise awaited the trainees. Miss Nikki revealed the list of assignments that needed to be completed for the week. The list was longer than expected, and many participants were surprised by how much work was ahead of them. But instead of feeling discouraged, it became another source of motivation. The assignments were proof that the training would be serious, challenging, and truly focused on developing their skills.
For Uni Voice L Studios, the first day in CVAP was more than just an introduction—it was the beginning of a journey. A journey filled with learning, new friendships, challenges, and the pursuit of a dream powered by one simple but powerful tool: the human voice.