The 25 Most Enduring Singers

It is a tough job for me to name the most enduring singers of the past 25 years. Filipinos are so talented and I would not want to miss mentioning a lot of deserving ones. But then The Philippine STAR is now marking its 25 years of existence tomorrow, July 28, and what an existence it has been. And what a continued existence it promises to be. Maybe it would be easier if I were to do another list in the next 25 years. That way there will be room for 50 of them. Still tough but not the way it is with this piece.

To make things easier I will limit the list to those who are still active in the business and who were able to make a lasting mark in local music history. Celeste Legaspi did but she has chosen to retire from performing. Do you think I should have the Eraserheads? But then the group has disbanded. So has VST&Co. Should I limit the list to those who rose to fame during these past 25 years? Great idea but that would mean leaving off so many artists who came earlier but who continue to dominate the local music scene.

So please allow me now to get the job done and hope I come up with what would also be your choices. If I don’t I would appreciate it very much if you could send me your own lists. And so here they are and take note this list is not in any particular order. Here goes.

Pilita Corrales, always Asia’s Queen of Songs. Where would Filipino music be if she had not chosen to record all those Tagalog albums?

Basil Valdes, the quintessential balladeer and best interpreter of the great songs of George Canseco, Ngayon at Kailan Man and Ryan Cayabyab, Iduyan Mo.

Nora Aunor, vocal artistry of the rarest quality. Will we ever hear her sing again?

Sharon Cuneta, ever the one and only megastar with the most memorable theme songs. Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.

Regine Velasquez, one of the sweetest voices ever heard. Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.

Kuh Ledesma, still the classiest performer around. Dito Ba?

Rico Puno, Pinoy balladeer meets Motown soul. Kapalaran.

Lea Salonga, Tony-winning star of Broadway and the West End of the perfect diction and perfect pitch, our Miss Saigon, now maturing so gracefully.

Martin Nievera, a rare combination of great pipes and a sense of humor. You Are My Song.

The Apo Hiking Society the most successful trio of all time, whose music encapsulates the Filipino psyche. Pumapatak Na Naman Ang Ulan.

Jose Mari Chan, bringer of songs for the youthful romantics. Can We Just Stop And Talk A While.

Gary Valenciano, nobody combines song and dance as well as he does. Shout For Joy.

Hotdog, Manila Sound pioneers who changed the course of Filipino music. Pers Lab.

Freddie Aguilar, whose Anak became the first Filipino song to crash the international hit charts.

Arnel Pineda, because as Journey vocalist, he continues to prove that Pinoys can rock as well as those guys from the U.S. of A.

Charice, because she is the first Filipino international star in music, films and television.

Joey Pepe Smith, Mike Hanopol, and Wally Gonzales as the Juan de la Cruz Band, the pioneering force of Pinoy rock. Himig Natin.

Sampaguita, because she proved that girls can rock and be beautiful too. Bonggahan.

Imelda Papin, Bakit, Eva Eugenio Tukso, and Claire de la Fuente, Sayang now known as the Jukebox Queens, individually made hits that are now considered classics.

Rey Valera, because he writes songs for the lovelorn Pinoy and sings them with so much emotion. Maging Sino Ka Man.

Ogie Alcasid, because he mixes pop sensibility and kundiman sentiments very well in the songs he writes. Kailangan Kita.

Sarah Geronimo, the most successful singer actress of the current generation. Forever’s Not Enough.

Zsa Zsa Padilla, because she makes the tremolo sound as beautiful as she looks. Hiram.

Nonoy Zuñiga, a sweet baritone with hit songs for the ages. Never Ever Say Goodbye.

The CompanY, Now That I Have You, Side A, So Many Questions. I know there are two of them. I have ran out of numbers and I have already cheated but I believe that these two groups, the best of these past 20 years should be in the list.

And now I wish to thank the Lord for being able to do something I love for The Philippine STAR. And a happy anniversary to us all.