The VoiceStory: A Legendary Conversation Between The VoiceMaster and Iconic Voice Artist Joonee Gamboa

 

The VoiceStory: A Legendary Conversation Between The VoiceMaster and Iconic Voice Artist Joonee Gamboa

In a rare and remarkable conversation, Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, the VoiceMaster of the Philippines, sat down with one of the living legends of Filipino voice artistry, Joonee Gamboa. In this episode of The VoiceStory, they explored the humble beginnings, struggles, and triumphs of a man whose voice shaped decades of Filipino media history.

This wasn’t just an interview—it was a masterclass in passion, perseverance, and purpose.

---

“I never trained for voice acting. I just learned by doing it, the hard way.” — Joonee Gamboa

Gamboa revealed that his entry into voice acting was purely accidental. Originally trained in theater, he stumbled into voice work through an AVP project requiring impressions of famous figures like Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill, and Dwight Eisenhower.

“Minyong Ordonez told me: ‘I found somebody who can do anything.’ And that’s how it all started.”

From that serendipitous moment, Gamboa's voice became a staple across commercials, narrations, dubbing projects, and eventually, a revered part of Philippine broadcasting history.

---

Training Without a Teacher: The Power of Self-Education

Unlike many artists who had access to workshops or formal education, Joonee Gamboa was entirely self-taught. Living in a rented basement room in Mandaluyong, he trained himself daily—crying, laughing, practicing accents, perfecting emotional deliveries—all with a single tape recorder.

“Everything I know today, I learned by trial and error. And that’s why it became so precious to me.”

His relentless discipline paid off, enabling him to master various accents, create dozens of character voices, and develop a neutral English tone admired even by Americans.

---

No Trademark, No Limits: True Artistic Freedom

Gamboa spoke passionately against having a “trademark sound,” explaining that true artists must be invisible—they must fully serve the character or message, not their ego.

“An artist must not have a trademark. Because your voice must belong to the story, not to yourself.”

This philosophy set him apart, allowing him to adapt to any project without being typecast, and earning him work across radio, theater, television, and film.

---

Voice Acting is a Calling, Not a Spotlight

Gamboa shared a powerful insight about the underappreciated role of voice artists in the industry:

“In voice acting, your fame is irrelevant. What matters is the message you deliver, not your name.”

While many yearn for recognition, he embraced the quiet nobility of the craft, focusing not on applause but on delivering unforgettable performances that lived in the minds of audiences.

---

Fulfillment Beyond Fame

When asked if he felt fulfilled after decades in the industry, Joonee Gamboa answered with certainty. The body of work he created—the characters he voiced, the emotions he stirred, the lives he touched—was more than enough.

“You don’t need to be known to have made a difference. You just need to be true to your craft.”

 

Want to learn directly from The VoiceMaster?

🔗 Visit www.creativoices.com
📺 Subscribe: youtube.com/TheVoiceMaster
📱 Facebook: fb.com/TheVoiceMaster
🎙️ Join the next Certified Voice Artist Program!