New siren rises

CEBU, Philippines - If you have the genius behind Martin Nievera’s “Be My Lady,” Ariel Rivera’s “Sana Kahit Minsan,” and Ella Mae Saison’s “Till My Heartaches End” vouching for you, then who might dare dispute the singing potential of 20-year-old Cebuana Stephanie Mananquil?

Multi-awarded composer Vehnee Saturno, whose recent find is the “The Voice Kids” runner-up Darren Espanto, worked his songwriting magic to churn out five original OPM compositions for Stephanie.

The dusky, petite crooner couldn’t feel more privileged. “I’m so honored and blessed to have worked with Sir Vehnee Saturno. He is very supportive and willing to help me just so I can achieve my dreams,” says a shy Stephanie, who had to be coaxed to reveal Saturno’s comment that he saw potential in her.

The five songs (“Kung Di Mo Na Mahal,” “Sa Tulad Mo,” “Sa Isang Yakap Mo,” “Kulang Man Sa Lambing,” and “Teka Muna”), plus an English piece (“These Empty Words”) composed by Stephanie and arranged by Homer Cang, make up her self-titled debut album, which she recently launched the same day she turned 20 at Michaelangelo’s Pizzeria in Banilad. One of the singles is a duet with “Your Face Sounds Familiar” contestant Michael Pangilinan.

She describes her pop ballad sound as easy listening and relatable to all, in the same vein as the tunes of Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez.

With the chockfull of female singers in her age bracket –whether established, upcoming and aspiring – what will make her stand out and find a place in the music industry?

“I’m different because I know I do better at singing and dancing, and I play instruments like the guitar, ukelele and piano,” says Stephanie. “I also compose songs.”

The second of five siblings, Stephanie caught the singing bug as early as four years old. School programs and her mom’s events wouldn’t be complete without her among the performers.

As a kid, she dreamt of being part of show business. This dream was intensified when she front-acted for a Kapamilya heartthrob.

“When I was about to enter college, I was the front act for Coco Martin in Manila. That’s when I felt that this is my calling and this is what I wanted to do,” she relates.

“It’s a good feeling when those people who aren’t even that familiar with you call out your name. I also want to be a role model and inspire others with my talent.”

Stephanie counts Beyonce and Sarah Geronimo among her music heroes. Among the Pinoy male acts, she says she’d love to do a duet with Sam Concepcion.

Before working on her album, Stephanie learned the ropes as a member of Power Trio, a sing-and-dance girl group composed of her sister May Ann and Sam Booc. She says her experience with the group honed her skills not only in performing, but also in delivering spiels and adjusting to the frenzy of back-to-back out-of-town gigs.

“The most memorable is always the traveling. One time, we were doing our own hair and makeup at the airport while waiting for our boarding time. Once we arrived in Cebu, we ran straight to our event,” she says.

For now, her Tourism studies at the University of San Carlos is on hold as she chases her singing dreams.

Raised by a single mom who is also a successful businesswoman (Aida Patana), Stephanie says she has gone through enough trials to discover that life isn’t always a bed of roses. Born to a well-off family, their brood fell into hard times when their furniture company went bankrupt.

Those times taught her and her family to “Never give up on something you really love. It is you who is the CEO of your life.”

A glance at Stephanie’s last quarter calendar alone is dizzying enough, as she hops from one town to another to promote her album. Yesterday, she was at SM Megamall Manila for a show with no less than Alden Richards. Today will see her back in Cebu for an event at Ayala Center Cebu.

Tomorrow, catch Stephanie as she launches her album to the public in grand style via an 8 p.m. concert at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, with guests Anna Fegi, Michael Pangilinan, Power Trio and Mr. Pastillas. (FREEMAN)