Alisah makes ‘work-free days’ busy

Alisah Bonaobra can attest that there is always something good in a situation as bad as the pandemic. Instead of worrying too much, she and the other talents of Rosabella Jao-Arribas of RJA Productions made their “work-free days” busy by promoting songs and interacting with their followers via their social media fan pages.

The 25-year-old chanteuse, who made waves in the X-Factor UK and The Voice Philippines, also got to discover her tech skills. She can now record cover songs and edit them on computer without a hitch. “Hopefully, I can also start composing songs. Well, actually, I’ve already written some but I’m still in the process of putting music on them,” she disclosed.

What made her heart jumping up and down with joy was the opportunity to record a song titled Faithful penned by Cecile Azarcon-Inocentes who also composed such OPM classics as Martin Nievera’s Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Kuh Ledesma’s I Think I’m In Love, Chiqui Pineda’s How Did You Know and Basil Valdez’s Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga.

“I’m very happy because what I requested from Tita Rosabella was for me to record an English song, and I was surprised when I learned that the song I’m gonna record is composed by Miss Cecil Azarcon,” Alisah shared.

She added, “Isa lang ‘yun sa mga talagang nagpapakita na God is really doing something that we do not expect.”

In a statement, Cecile said, “You can give Alisah any song and she will deliver it and give it all she’s got. That’s exactly what she did with Faithful.”

Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Cecile shared that she composed Faithful “in about 30 minutes and which came out like a personal prayer to God. The music and the lyrics just flowed together and fell into place as I reflected on the many times that I have experienced God’s faithfulness in my life. Even in those times when I have not been faithful to Him, He remained faithful to me.”

Alisah felt the same while watching the hitmaker’s live piano-laden performance of her piece. “Actually, I can relate to the song. I may not be too old, I’m only 25, but I already came to a point where I felt so emotionally weak. That’s why when I first heard it, I had goosebumps kasi parang this is my song at ako pa ang napili (kumanta).”

Her favorite line goes, “And I know, there’s a reason for everything/ You are teaching me to trust You in all things/ For in all that I go through in life/ It’s Your faithfulness I find.”

Alisah said she is grateful to have further honed her skill as she tackled the song under the stewardship of vocal coach Arnie Mendaros and Cecile herself. Prior to recording Faithful, Alisah was introduced to Cecile through a video call. The former shared how the OPM icon generously gave her pieces of advice on singing.

“I’m truly overwhelmed by her gesture because she gave me pointers to make sure everything will turn out fine. And I can say that I truly gave my best,” she concluded.