MANILA, Philippines — Asia’s Diamond Soul Siren Nina didn’t have second thoughts when she was offered to be one of the new “juke bosses” of TV5’s “Sing Galing.” She was thrilled to be joining the show knowing that her former manager, Randy Santiago, was previously part of the program.
Nina was ecstatic upon learning that she was selected to be one of the judges of “Sing Galing,” along with soul icon Ella May Saison.
“As a singer, if you’re chosen to be a judge for a singing contest, nakakatuwa because (you can share) your expertise and knowledge about singing,” she told The STAR in an exclusive interview.
Even though it’s her first time to sit as a judge in a karaoke game show, the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) hitmaker didn’t have hesitations to take on the role. “I know that Tito Randy is a part of ‘Sing Galing.’ And Tito Randy was part of me as a singer because he was my first manager. He was the one who believed in me first, ‘Magaling ‘to kumanta.’ So, I know from then on that this would be fun and they would really take care of me also.”
The valuable insight that Nina gleaned from singer-TV host Randy, when it comes to music making and performing, was to “enjoy every moment when you’re singing.” “’wag masyadong ma-stress, this is what you’re made to do. So, just enjoy it.”
As a juke boss of “Sing Galing Season 3,” which will premiere in March on TV5, Nina will give her expert musical insights and critiques to the contestants.
What Nina is looking forward to in the contestants is how they will give meaning to the song as they perform it. “Bonus na ‘yun ‘pag bumibirit sila and all, pero kahit hindi bumibirit, what’s very important for me is if they interpret the song perfectly. It’s like they understand what they are singing.”
Since “Sing Galing” is a karaoke singing show, this paper asked Nina if she had any memorable karaoke moments that she could recall. And she shared, “When I get hold of the mic, hindi niyo na makukuha sa akin. Haha! Akin na ‘yun talaga. Wala ng makakaagaw.”
“Even if you want to sing, ‘You get another mic.’ Ito, sa akin ‘to. May pangalan ko na. Haha! Pag kunyari, at first, ayaw ko pang kumanta, but when I started singing, wala na, tuloy-tuloy na,” added she.
Apart from “Sing Galing,” Nina will also be mounting her “Love Matters” concert on Feb. 7 at the New Frontier Theater. After that, she will head to Sydney on Feb. 14; Melbourne, Feb. 16; and Perth, Feb. 21 to perform there.
Nina will be accompanied by a 16-piece orchestra at her gig. “So, it’s gonna be my first time to have that in a concert. It’s pure magic, light and music, no LED,” she teased.
“I want them (audience) to feel siguro happy all throughout, but I want them to reminisce the feelings of heartbreak, maybe they want to feel that again and falling in love again, and being happy. Lahat, mixed emotions, I think. Because music, talagang iba-iba yung pinaparating sa atin nun.”
Speaking of music, the Jealous and Love Moves in Mysterious Ways singer mused over how music has inspired her at the highs and lows of her life.
“Music can really be a therapy in times of when you’re happy and sad as well,” she expressed.
“Sometimes, when I sing on stage, I see the faces of the people that they are happy. And after the show, they would comment like, ‘You make me feel good,” she continued. “You were a part of my life, my college days. Siyempre, nakakatuwa na, I was part of their journey in life. Nakaka-inspire ‘yun to really still sing and be here and do what I love to do, which is singing and making music for everybody.”