The 'Schizo-ed' Eula sings

I met Eula Valdez when she was a pretty 14-year-old making her first movie as Bong Revilla Jr.’s leading lady in Dugong Buhay. It was a short while later when I found out she could sing. This became evident when she was one of the female Bagets doing promo appearances for the landmark movie. And I really thought she would take it up seriously. But then she was turning out to be a good actress and films started to take up most of her time. Some years later, even movie roles were shelved, as she battled her weight problem.

But that was not to be the end of Eula in show business. A few years ago, so much lovelier and with her weight problem completely licked, she made a sensational comeback as the vengeful Amor Powers in the soap series Pangako Sa ‘Yo. She had since then reigned in the telenovela circuit and earned respect and admiration as a competent actress who also looks great. And now she has also taken up singing again.

This resurfaced first in TV stints, again mostly in promo gigs for her soap operas and later on in the fantasy series Kampanerang Kuba. The real clincher though was when she was tapped to star in the stage musical about a gay superhero or should I say, heroine, Zsa Zsa Zaturnah. Actually by that time, no one was surprised anymore that Eula could sing and act and was just wonderful in the lead role. In fact what the audience was talking about after every performance was how great she looked in the revealing Zsa Zsa costume.

Although, busy, as usual, Eula has chosen to focus mainly on her singing these days. The reason is her very first album, ever, which must really be a dream come true as she has always loved to sing. It is titled Schizo, which I trust does not refer to Eula’s state of mind or that of anybody involved with the CD. Let us just think it that the inspiration for Schizo was probably derived from Eula’s varied talents or the many roles she plays.

Eula tackles her singing with the same combination of daring and nonchalance with which she approaches anything she does. Nonchalant because she is always confident she can do anything. Daring because she takes on challenges, that other actresses or in this case, other singers would not touch with a 10-foot pole. So she has finally recorded an album but, in typical Eula fashion, it is unlike most releases nowadays.

At a time when CD sales are down and singing oldies is the only way to go, Eula has chosen to tone down on the covers and go mostly originals. And would you believe that Schizo is a blues collection. It rocks somewhat with hints of techno and Eula even scats but what she sings is the blues.

The first cut Leading Man is a cute novelty number about movie actors and it is one of several contributions by album producer Vincent de Jesus. The others are Huwag Mo Nang Simulan, Di Na Muli Rich, The Man of Steel and the dreamy Niebe Ulan Bahag-hari, which is one of the most memorable cuts. Interestingly, ex-boyfriend Ronnie Quizon came up with three beautiful songs for Eula, Blue, Friends For Too Long and Who Can Stop the Rain. He should think seriously about doing more songwriting or is this talent only for special girls?

The other titles are Drivin’, Love Don’t Live Here Anymore and Minahal Kita by singer and songwriter Viktoria. Eula’s singing is in fine form throughout and she sounds like she is having a grand time acting out the blues.

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From MYX, the Filipino music channel. Here are the Top 20 titles in the Pinoy video countdown for the week: Kailan by Bamboo; Now by M.Y.M.P.; Puso by Sponge Cola; Yugto by Rico Blanco; Leap Of Faith by Hale; Disconnection Notice by Pupil; Selos by Sandwich; The Fight is Over by Urbandub; Freak Out Baby by Itchyworms; I’ll Be There by Sarah Geronimo and Howie Dorough.

The Search Is Over by Rachelle Ann Go; Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko by Richard Poon; Kundi Man by Silent Sanctuary; Ako’y Babalik by Callalily; Eternally by Mark Bautista; Million Miles Away by Nikki Gil; Only Hope by Miguel Escueta; Home by Aiza Seguerra; Teka by Paraluman; and Boogie Mo by Bembol Rockers.