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,[1] and joining the second season of The Voice Kids Philippines, ultimately picking Lea Salonga as her coach.
[2] At age 9, De Torres became the youngest artist to stage a major solo concert in the Philippines.
[7] Esang has an older brother named James, who is also involved in such musical skills such as playing the guitar and piano.
In 2014, she was named Best in Talent portraying as Lea Salonga's MiniMe in the noontime show It's Showtime (ABS-CBN).
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.
However, Salonga immediately dismissed Geronimo's reminder, telling De Torres that "the future is more important."
De torres moved on to the finals, along with Reynan Dal Anay, Elha Nympha and Sassa Dagdag.
[15] In the first part of the finals, De Torres had a duet with Billy Crawford, singing "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars.
[17] On the last part of the finals, the ballad rounds, De Torres sang her rendition of "Somewhere" from West Side Story.
On September 5, she and The Voice Kids Philippines Season 1 and 2 contestants held a concert entitled "Boses ng Bulilit, Muling Bibirit" which was aired on ABS-CBN.
[20] On September 20 at FAMAS Awards, De Torres, with Kuh Ledesma serenaded the "Iconic Movie Queens of Philippine Cinema" namely: Susan Roces, Gloria Romero, Nora Aunor, Maricel Soriano, Dawn Zulueta, and Sarah Geronimo.
[21] On January 25, 2016, De Torres performed for Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach in Manila during her homecoming visit.
[24] During the gala night of Les Misérables in Manila, Salonga's mother, Ligaya, recommended the 9-year-old De Torres to musical theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh.
Mackintosh then announced that De Torres will part in the international casting of the Manila production of Les Misérables.
[27] In the interview, she said that she is very thankful that she is given the role, and that she dreams of making it big in theatre like her coach Lea Salonga.
[31] [32] On August 1, 2017 after going through open call auditions, Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group announced that De Torres will play the lead role in the Manila run of Broadway's Tony Award-winning Matilda the Musical starting November 10.
from week 1 to week 16, she impersonated Lady Gaga, Cher, Lea Salonga, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Jake Zyrus, Cyndi Lauper, Adele, Bonnie Tyler, Joey Albert, Freddie Mercury of Queen, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Aretha Franklin, Jaya with Elizabeth Ramsey impersonated by Awra Briguela and Barbra Streisand.