Princess of the road (even if she’d be arrested)

Last year, I was made aware of then nine-year old Alessandra Madrigal. She’s some eight years shy of even thinking of getting a student driver’s license in this country, much less actually driving down our streets and highways – she’d be arrested for "driving while VERY underage." And yet, she was cutting an enviable swath in the world of karting. Competing in the Cadet 60 and 85 classes, she’s a certified champion with over six trophies to her name. Daughter to Gerard and Terri Madrigal, Alessandra is granddaughter to the late Belek and Vicky Madrigal. More than a decade ago, when my father needed a fourth for his regular golfing afternoons with Tito Johnny Jalandoni and Tito Belek, I would be recruited; and so anyone connected to the ever-affable and genial Tito Belek will always be somebody special in my books. And special Alessandra certainly is.

At an age when little girls dream of not much else beyond dolls, their first cellphone and kikay accessories, Alessandra has to share all that with thoughts of gasoline consumption vis-a-vis laps completed, her parents’ constant worry as she "daredevils" around the track, and that other driver who’s breathing down her neck, trying to conjoin his and her cart. Not your very typical 10-year old girlie-life. Besides the races she has won on the local circuit, she won the leg of the Thai National Karting Championship in Pattaya last year (she was a guest entry).

The end of January marked her 10th birthday, and along with Chinggay Andrada, we hosted a family, sponsors and media event that was held at the Souffle, The Fort. It was a unique way for Gerard and Terri to say "Thanks" to ING Private Banking, Globe Gizmo, Petron Ultron, Puma and Dickies for the all-out support they’ve given Alessandra in furthering her endeavors in this "costly" sport. In turn, the sponsors also had their chance to express their happiness over said involvement. As Gerard gamely joked, if not for them, Alessandra and this chosen sport of hers could quickly take them to the cleaners.

One of my nephews-in-law was a Philippine Jungolfer and remembers playing against Tiger Woods back when they were 11 or 12 years old; and I always joke him that they could have been on the same level way back then, but I would think more people in the world today are aware of Tiger than they are of my nephew. Tiger Woods in one of his slump years still racked up $6 million in prize money and $83 million in endorsements. Don’t even begin to ask what his good years are like! Like Tiger, Alessandra has both Asian and American blood running in her veins – as to whether that means that the well-known American qualities of drive and "can-do" find wonderful chemistry with Asian patience and perseverance, we will discover as the years unfold.

For now, it’s the discovery that here in our own backyard, we have a sports figure, female at that, who is poised to make a name for herself at such a tender age. With the right support system of family and corporate sponsors, who knows how far she can reach? With these prodigies, it’s always a crap shoot – some realize their potential and make a mark, while so many more burn out, or miss out on that propitious blend of dedication and opportunity. It’s tough to hazard a guess on what will happen to Alessandra; but certainly, her present dedication is without question. She genuinely enjoys the racing, the long hours of practice on the Carmona Circuit, the coaching she gets from Allan Uy. She idolizes Michael Schumacher and harbors the dream of being one of the first women to race Formula One.

Gerard and Terri are knuckle-biting spectators, as Alessandra has had her share of accidents on the track. And for them, just as important as honing her racing prowess, is her maintaining normalcy as a 10-year-old girl. She loves the mall and shopping, counts the Lakers as her fave team (Yup, it’s not just the Ferrari F1 team); and on her birthday, was visibly excited over having beaten, the previous week, one of the drivers she looks up to. This driver would be Matteo Guidicelli, who along with other participants in the local circuit, showed up for Alessandra’s birthday party. Despite the intense competition between these drivers, there’s also a healthy semblance of a fraternity feel among these racing enthusiasts.

So time will tell if Alessandra has the "right stuff" and will one day make us proud. For now, watch out for Alessandra Racing (her team moniker) when it next hits town or there’s a scheduled "day at the races." It truly may be a case of our being able to say years from now, "Alessandra Madrigal? I remember back in 2006, there was this karting race that I watched and ...."

The heart sings... forever

Without fail, Valentine’s Day and the season of hearts mean a slew of ‘"past expiry date" musical acts hitting our shores. It’s a no-brainer, the over 30’s and the way over-30’s are the ones with true disposable income; and they are the ones who have to scurry and prove their love by bringing their soulmates and "forevermore and never to part" certain somebodies to that one special show of the year. Funny when you think about it, how the Zombies are exhumed, the Lettermen can still belt out Dahil Sa Iyo, and Andy Williams is dragged out of the Moonriver. If in past years, all these "over the hill" acts would get their new lease on life by coming to our shores, the drill has not changed and producers know how to milk a good thing year after year.

Let’s face it, this is the land that would make a fuss over Peter & Gordon, Herman’s Hermits and the Searchers. Make capital out of the Ventures (get it? venture capital). It’s like David Pomeranz and Keith Martin brought to an exponential level. And I can’t blame the producers as it seems we can’t just get enough of these retreads. The only little noise I’d like to voice out is that I hope our home-grown artists don’t get lost in the melee of revivals.

Sharon Cuneta, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez, MYMP, the Geneva, Vina and Rachel shows, Nina and Nyoy, the Candid Records Jazz artists series at the Podium, the special concept show Nina de Torres’ talents are putting up at Bagaberde (Lana Jalsojos and a whole bunch of lesser known but really strong and talented singers) - if I had my pick, I’d still support these shows over the ones of foreign artists from yesteryear. I don’t begrudge the attention these foreign artists get, and do wish their shows success, but after having been involved with an establishment like Dish and seeing how so many of our very talented local artists still have a hard time making ends meet on a pure performing career, I’d throw my support behind their efforts in this time of hearts and love songs.

The one great thing about how Valentine’s Day has been extended to practically become a season, is that so many of our musicians get the opportunity to have a second Christmas so early in the New Year. It’s a known fact that Christmas and Valentine are now the two prime periods when so many of these singers and musicians can make hay with the plethora of bookings and gigs. Given how they often do the grind of up to five to six performances a week at minimum rate the rest of the year, I can only imagine how thankful they are that we are really such a nation of hopeless romantics; and that the idea of bringing someone to a special musical show ranks as high as that special dinner by candlelight.