Contrary to what usually happens in local showbiz circles, no manager or well-known producer pulled strings for her. Nina did not even send a photo, which means that Warner signed her up, sight unseen. Of course, later, it probably helped that she looks just as good as she sounds, with the face and figure of a future pop star. Still, Niña’s experience is something for all newcomers to think about. If you have the talent, then it certainly pays to try.
All that happened less than a year ago. Late last month, Nina’s debut album titled Heaven was released in the market. As befits Warner’s first new contract artist in quite sometime, Heaven is quite a package. Production is sleek and Nina’s delivery, smooth. A pronounced danceable beat segues from one cut to the next but it is never heavy nor frenetic. It is instead used as a stable base for Nina’s sweet but definitely multi-octave singing voice. This is surely her strongest point and it is really a blessing to know that she can skillfully wield her vocals to conform to the demands of every song.
To fully project Nina’s capability as an R&B artist and to give the album a true R&B feel, Warner sourced songs from composers and arrangers from abroad. The credits mention the US and Korea. These include First Kiss, Jealous, The Greatest Gift of All and the first single release and title cut Heaven. Three cuts, 2nd Floor, Kung Ibibigay Sa ’yo and Loving You and by the late Gerry Paraiso are the Filipino contributions.
Proof of Nina’s musicality is the inclusion of Steve Perry’s Foolish Heart, one of the songs she included in the demo that got her the Warner contract. If the way she sings it in the album is in any way similar to what she did in the demo, then I am not at all surprised that Warner got interested in her. She sounds fantastic!
Nina has been preparing for this great opportunity ever since she can remember. To be a singer was all she ever wanted to do and she believes she inherited this from her late father who sang for the Bayanihan Dance Company in his younger days. Nina’s childhood was filled with singing and dancing lessons which she never hesitated to show off when opportunities to perform came up.
She was so determined to succeed that she turned professional right after high school. It was a grueling schedule that meant doing homework in dressing rooms in between three sets that would last up to the early morning. But Nina managed to juggle college with her regular stints with bands like Silk, Big Thing and Essence. Then, armed with her business degree, major in accounting from Miriam College, she proceeded to pursue her singing career.
The times augur well for Nina. Aside from the all-out support she gets from her family and Warner plus colleagues like the other members of Essence who allow her to do her solo stints while remaining with the group, she is working very hard to make her dreams come true.