Ed Calaycay’s Journey with the Certified Voice Artist Program
Creativity often finds new ways to grow when circumstances change. For Ed Calaycay, known as the “Green-Minded Voice,” the journey into voice artistry began unexpectedly during a time when the world was forced to slow down and rethink creative expression.
Ed serves as a moderator and community manager for IGERS Manila, an online community dedicated to Filipino Instagram users who share their love for mobile photography. Through the community, members capture everyday moments using their phones and share them online through the hashtag #9PMHabitIGERSManila on Instagram. Before the pandemic, the group’s activities went beyond the digital world. Members regularly organized photo walks, coffee meetups, photography talks, and even photo exhibits that allowed creators to connect face-to-face and celebrate their passion for visual storytelling.
However, when the pandemic arrived, everything changed. Lockdowns and restrictions disrupted their usual routines, forcing communities to stay indoors and limiting opportunities for outdoor photography and meetups. Like many creatives, Ed had to adapt. With fewer chances to explore photography outside, he began experimenting with other creative outlets online, sharing content on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.
In March 2022, while casually browsing his “For You Page” on TikTok, Ed came across a voice-over challenge related to the Certified Voice Artist Program. At first, he didn’t pay much attention to it and simply scrolled past the video. But the next day, another similar challenge appeared on his feed. This time, curiosity got the better of him. He decided to look up the details of the program.
The training consisted of four consecutive Saturdays of intensive sessions, followed by a graduation day. Unfortunately, the batch running at that time was already halfway through, so Ed chose to wait patiently for the next opportunity. Eventually, he enrolled in Batch 13, hoping to learn the technical skills behind voice acting—things like voice control, delivery, and performance.
But the experience turned out to be far more transformative than he initially expected.
After completing the four weekend sessions, Ed realized that he had set his expectations too narrowly. He had joined the program thinking only about improving a skill, but the journey gave him something deeper: a shift in mindset and perspective.
The training sessions, led by mentors and trainers under the guidance of Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, went far beyond typical classroom instruction. Even though the classes were conducted online through Zoom, they were engaging, dynamic, and filled with meaningful discussions. Trainers shared powerful stories and reflections—what Ed described as “pathologies”—that encouraged participants to pause, reflect, and rethink the way they approach creativity, purpose, and personal growth.
The sessions were also made lively by energetic hosts who facilitated interactive icebreakers and activities that kept participants engaged throughout the program. Instead of feeling like a conventional webinar, the experience felt like a collaborative and inspiring environment where everyone had a role to play.
Another surprising aspect of the program was the rigor of its requirements. Participants didn’t simply attend sessions and receive certificates. To become a certified voice artist, they had to complete numerous assignments that pushed them beyond their comfort zones. These tasks required not only voice acting but also scriptwriting, acting, audio editing, and video editing.
Through these challenges, Ed discovered abilities he didn’t know he had. Each assignment revealed hidden potentials that encouraged him to grow not just as a voice artist but as a creative storyteller.
Perhaps the most meaningful part of the journey was meeting his fellow participants—whom they fondly call “voicemates.” The group was incredibly diverse, composed of people from different professions and backgrounds. Some were broadcasters, others were university students, IT professionals, and even visual artists. Despite their differences, they all shared one common goal: to learn and explore the art of voice.
By collaborating and interacting with his voicemates, Ed realized that each person brought unique strengths to the group. Their varied talents complemented one another, proving that creativity thrives when people support and collaborate rather than compete.
Ed began the course thinking primarily about himself—about improving his own skills and abilities. But by the end of the training, his perspective had changed. What once felt like a personal journey became a shared one. The experience transformed his mindset from “me and I” to “we and us.”
With gratitude, Ed expressed his appreciation to Sir Pocholo for creating the program, as well as to the trainers, mentors, and organizers who dedicated their time and effort to guiding aspiring voice artists. For Ed, joining the Certified Voice Artist Program was not just about learning voice acting—it was about becoming part of a family of creatives united by passion, growth, and purpose.
In the end, Ed Calaycay’s story shows how a simple moment of curiosity—sparked by a TikTok video—can lead to an unexpected journey of self-discovery. What began as a search for a new creative outlet eventually became an opportunity to find a new voice, a new perspective, and a new community.