MANILA, Philippines - The name Rachelle Ann Go has become synonymous with music in the Philippines. Already such a huge household name at such a young age, the 22-year-old singer has more than held her own in the country’s music scene. Tagged the Ultimate Champion, Rachelle rose to fame in 2003 after winning GMA 7’s Search For A Star, hosted by her idol, Regine Velasquez.
I suppose it is safe to say that Shin-Shin, as she is fondly called by friends and relatives, had her path in music paved long before she was born. Her mother, Russell Villalobos (who looks like a showbiz personality herself), was a singer for an all-girl group, managed by her own father, Oscar Go Sr. Mr. Go was very fond of musical instruments and made sure the family had one of each in the house as Shin and her siblings were growing up — to help them discover where their talents lay and to help hone them. Her mother fondly recalls how they caught Rachelle unbelievably humming a tune to a song when she was only six months old! Truly, Rachelle is the definition of a natural — she could already sing before she could walk!
Just fresh out of her US tour, Rachelle has a new album. Aptly titled Falling in Love, it features her own modern takes on popular love songs, mostly from the ‘70s and ‘80s, including If, Of All The Things, Somebody Waiting, I Got Caught Dancing Again, If You Don’t Know Me By Now, Didn’t We, Feelings, Traces, You And Me Against the World, You and I, All The Things You Are, I’ll Always Love You, This Time I’ll Be Sweeter and the latest single, Let The Pain Remain. All 14 tracks showcase her signature smooth powerhouse vocals, along with relaxing melodies we would all love to hum and sing along to. The music video of This Time I’ll Be Sweeter is currently airing and getting positive feedback on television. Rachelle is set to shoot another video, this time of the latest single Let the Pain Remain.
One cannot doubt the truth and passion Rachelle weaves into her music, as Falling in Love, is not only her latest album title, but also the most current chapter in the singer’s young life. Rachelle admits falling in love not only once, but twice. She insists her much-publicized relationship with Christian Bautista is now over, yet the two remain friends. Who, then, serves as her inspiration for her latest album? Why, no less than boyfriend Gab Valenciano, of course. Gab (son of Gary Valenciano and Angeli Pangilinan) is an extremely talented dancer who hopes to help Rachelle with music production after his plans of studying abroad push through. Like the album, Rachelle shares that their relationship is very mature and easy-going, because they are extremely comfortable with each other. “We really were friends at first,” she insists. She also claims that their opposing personalities create a healthy balance in the relationship, as he is more outgoing and friendly while she is more of the shy type.
At the Falling in Love concert at the Music Museum that I watched where Rachel had both Christian and Gab as guests, I could not help but feel the excitement of her fans in the crowd as they shrieked at every love song she did with either of the two. Life seemed so unfair as she had two gorgeous young men all to herself — at least on the stage. Christian sang a beautiful duet with her to the deafening cheers of fans who obviously still rooted for him while Gab played the keyboards for her and did a wonderful dance number he himself choreographed. “Hindi po ako makapaniwalang nakakapagsayaw na po ako,” Rachel declares. “Gab has truly inspired me to learn the art of dancing and has been very patient teaching me the right moves,” Rachel gushes.
At the Old Spaghetti House Libis (owned by my former U.P. Law classmate lawyer J. Castro), the world-class entertainer (with the voice of an angel) I watched in awe at the Music Museum easily transformed into a soft spoken, approachable girl-next-door. She shyly hands me a copy of her album and humbly says, “I hope you will enjoy listening to it po.” And my gosh, I surely did enjoy listening to it again and again and again! The singles This Time I’ll Be Sweeter, Let The Pain Remain and her favorite song in the album, I’ll Always Love You, all reflect her laid-back personality. They are melodious, catchy and perfect for chilling out after a long day with a cup of coffee, and a few magazines or a good book. Rachelle also shared that although the album is a compilation of remakes, she composes her own songs as well. “Someday, I’d love to make a record that’s full of my own original songs,” she says.
So, on falling in love, aside from Gab, what else has Rachelle Ann Go fallen head over heels for? “Shoes!,” she admits, and confesses to having dozens and dozens of pairs! The petite songstress is also a big foodie at heart, though one would never be able to guess it by simply looking at her slim built. Rachelle is also, of course, deeply in love with music — both appreciating it and making it.
I expect to see Rachelle Ann Go’s music mature and grow along with her career and love life. She admits to being a true blue romantic, and a real believer in love, both of which add to the sincerity and passion in the songs on her latest album. On her current relationship with Gab, Rachelle says, “’Di na ‘to biro. I’m really in love.” One cannot help but feel that Rachelle sings from the heart, and that the album allows us to join her on her personal celebration of love.
Falling In Love is creatively directed by Paul Basinillo and is available at all local record stores. Get your own copy now and join Rachelle, this writer and the rest of the country as we celebrate the bliss, beauty and breathlessness of falling in love.
(E-mail me at celebrationsdot@yahoo.com or text 0927-5000833. Help build houses for the poor through the Gawad Kalinga by calling 718-1738 to 41 or text 0917-5239777).