Nar can do more than just comedy

MANILA, Philippines — Nar Cabico is known to many as a comedian. But there is more to the guy than just putting everyone in stitches whenever he appears in a show. Just recently, most members of the entertainment press invited to the single launch-cum-presscon of GMA Artists Center recording artists were impressed by Nar’s vocal talent when he gave a sample of what to expect in his latest single Natapos Tayo.

More than the appreciation, Nar is thankful to GMA for believing in his talent even from way back when he was still moonlighting as a talent in such shows as Art Angel and Yaman Ni Lola to support his college education. That’s why, he is inspired to work hard every day and never tires of improving himself to achieve his showbiz goals.

“The love for my craft, for my family and my beloved keeps me inspired to achieve my goals,” said Nar on his inspiration. “Every time I look back at the hard times that I’ve gone through, it all the more makes me cherish each and every accomplishment that I have — small or big success — although it cannot be avoided to also experience failures but that’s okay because I believe na kapag natalo ka, para ‘yun sa mga araw na mananalo ka naman.” This only reflects how Nar prefers to look at the bright side of life no matter what.

But even while he got praises for his singing, Nar humbly admitted that he has still a lot to learn from the pros. Thus, he always makes an effort to learn. “I am surrounded by friends who are always for excellence that’s why it’s a conscious effort to be excellent, too. Just like recently, I attended a music festival in Indonesia all by myself just to watch the Java Fest, pinanood ko si Dionne Warwick, ‘yung mga ganun because I see it as a personal investment na dun ako mag-gro-grow. You won’t grow by just watching online, iba ‘yung pulso ng live performance and actual experience.”

The varied life stories of his friends have also become his source of inspiration when it comes to songwriting. In fact, Natapos Tayo speaks about the pain of not giving up on love, even as there are things, including relationships, that are not meant to last.

For those not in the know, Natapos Tayo bagged the Movie Theme Song of the Year trophy at the PMPC Star Awards last February for the Metro Manila Film Festival entry All of You.

Whenever he writes a song, is his mind set on the possibility of it becoming a theme song for a film or TV project? Nar replied that it’s not his style. “I don’t plan ahead or think ahead that my song should be in this or that, basta solido s’ya lahat gagawin ko ngayon. I want to create songs that when I reach the age of 70 and I listen to them again, I won’t be disappointed. I am not after winning awards because they would only put a lot of stress on me while I am writing. I am also not competing with anybody. Ang gusto ko tahimik lang ako sa gilid pero boom, eto na (may nagawa na).”

Apart from spreading good vibes through his comedic skills, Nar Cabico can also do the kind of singing that will make everyone sit up and notice.

He continued, “Honestly, I didn’t expect that what I did for an hour will result to an award. I wrote Natapos Tayo at 5 o’clock in the morning. One of my mentors in the music camp was Jim Paredes and he said that a hit song is like an accident. In short, you have to keep on writing songs in order to be ‘accident-prone’ (laughs). Seriously, you should never expect that your every work will become a hit, just write and write.”

Nar doesn’t concentrate on one genre. “I’d like to come up with a buffet of sounds — different music, different genres — like a mix of jazz, pop, reggae because I write depending on my mood (laughs) may pagka-schizo(phrenic) yata ako. Basta extreme ‘yung sound ko like my first song Gaga and this one Natapos Tayo, sobrang magkaiba sila.”

Nar grabbed another major opportunity recently when he substituted for Moy Ortiz of The CompanY. According to him, Moy got sick then and he gladly took his place for two months. “I was asked to perform again in July and I feel it’s a validation that I am doing something right.”

The singer-songwriter also revealed that he has recorded an original track with an L.A.-based producer, who has also produced songs for apl.de.ap and his American group, Black Eyed Peas. But it has yet to be released since they are still in the process of completing it.

Not many are aware that Nar was invited to do a special audition for Miss Saigon for the role of The Engineer to be portrayed at the UK Tour of the hit musical. Sadly, things did not turn out the way he hoped since he wasn’t able to memorize the song well.

“Honestly, when I look back on what happened, (I realized) it all pointed to me needing to stay in the Philippines because had I passed the audition, then I wouldn’t have held my very first trophy as a songwriter.”

Considering his rosy career these days, Nar is in no rush to become an international artist. “Hindi naman ako yung sobrang may American Dream na tao. Perhaps, I can do that on the side because I prefer a story about me that would come from Filipinos. And besides, I am enjoying what I’m doing here in the Philippines. I love creating music with my fellow Filipinos.”

Apart from acting and singing, Nar is also into hosting. Does he dream of becoming a host of a TV show someday?

“I hardly thought of that but if the network sees that in me, I would gladly take it. As what I’ve said in Tunay na Buhay, for every milestone I’ve achieved, I’d always look back at the time when I did gigs for P100 a night as a working student. I went around Malate. It’s a long story of struggle and just getting by on the daily basis. And now that I am in the company of big stars, naiisip ko pa rin ‘yun that’s why I am always thankful for whatever is given to me and I am willing to do everything.”