If life were a singing contest, then I’d be dead by now. But, thank God, I am still alive, and functioning well — I am now able to at least carry a tune (or two), and not just live off my costumes. It’s no joke, really, even if sometimes (or most of the time) we look like one ourselves. Sometimes when I get onstage, I ask myself, “Why am I doing this?”
And a frivolously dressed character inside of me would scream out loud, “For charity! Just think you’re inside Red Box Karaoke or I.O. and you’ll be fine.” Surely I can help the Philippine National Red Cross in a myriad of other ways? Give all my (and my friends’, too) blood, encourage volunteerism, set up youth camps — but to sing? Me? In the studio and there’s a couple of hundred strangers watching as audience and supporters chant out their manok’s (or cosmeti-surgic clinic’s) names. I peep through the television camera beyond the teleprompter and I imagine a million more. Or 30.
Believe it or not, those seven or so live weekly singing sessions were the most nerve-wracking, blood-pumping, fun but finger-callousing (yes, for the text brigade) and throat-drying moments of my short-lived “singing career.” Give me a microphone and I’ll host a show anytime, but I still blush at the thought of trying to hum the tune of today’s top hits. So at the airport today when a janitor asked me if I was “the singer” he had recognized from the tube, I humbly looked at him, and responded with a surprised “ngye!” look on my face. After which I gave him a soulful rendition of She Bangs, non-duet version. Or not. Knock, Knock!
In this country, to be called a singer is like a badge of honor—like a Pinoy symbolism for virility. That tag is reserved for the Martins, the Garys and the Ogies. Well, there’s only one Martin, one Gary and one Ogie. And I had a historical (and hysterical) photo moment with them during Ogie Alcasid’s prom themed 40th birthday party last month at the Polo Club. Yap, photos appear on this Supreme spread.
Supreme Singing Secrets
I had wanted to have THAT particular photo taken so I can visualize how is it to be a performer like them. In this case, even The Secret couldn’t help. But being in the company of these people was overwhelming — one can’t help but be awestruck while being onstage with Pinoy music legends.
I remember being mesmerized by Pops onstage. Looking into her eyes while she’s holding the mic, her aura can really draw you in. It was, like, I was hypnotized. Such is the power of The Artist.
Jamming with Janno was another exercise I will never forget. It was “about time” someone paired us up for our timing somehow runs parallel to each other. I was so happy he appeared right before we came out to do our duet. All throughout, he was very inspiring, and what you see onstage is a cool rush of magic and madness. Working with young talents — the future of the industry — like Yasmien Kurdi and Gian Magdangal, and let’s not forget Jose Manalo (he’s young-ish) — you realize that the future is indeed, bright.
Speaking of all that glitters, having a Gold rush with Randy Santiago was a real high. I’ve always looked up to him since I was drawing his image into Emilio Aguinaldo five-peso bill some years back. It’s funny because I see these folks from the industry as friends and all of a sudden there’s a time warp when you’re together onstage, even for that one minute of stage time together, you feel possessed by some force of nature — butterflies all over, sight spinning and then all of a sudden, pow! The judges tell you to take care of your notes and yada yada yada. But that one or two minutes of musical menagerie (or mercenary, whichever way you want to put it) were the most fun, underwear-soaking and make up smearing (for Tessa) moments of our lives as songbirds. Sorry, Regine.
Text duets____+ send to…swatch!
Watching my co-contestants Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Jessica Rodriguez-Bunevacz, Wyngard Tracy, Frederick Peralta, Anna Theresa Licaros, Drs. Hayden Kho, Jr. and Manny Calayan each week was a treat because I would see a marked change in their performance level each time. When Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Anna Theresa first left, I realized this wasn’t a beauty contest. When Frederick Peralta sang his goodbye, I learned that this was not JUST a singing contest. When I got “dogged out,” I found out that this wasn’t a costume contest either. And now that Wyngard is gone, it’s really anybody’s game. Which makes it even more fun and wickedly exciting.
If you think that us contestants are ruthless and scheming little things out to out text each other, then, you are… right! For one million, who wouldn’t? Nope, just kidding. Backstage was a breeze because everybody (except for Wyngard Tracy and Frederick Peralta) could not sing. But it’s a different case now, as most — if not all of us — can actually already (or just confidently) sing and perform in front of a live audience. As of this writing, our agents are discussing a concert tour and an album of original songs to be released in time for Christmas. And this will be for the benefit of our — dreams.
In truth but not to sound cheesy (as I’m treading on, ahem, uncharted territory), a bond has already been formed between us contestants and the show’s production staff — from the director to the cameramen, down to the one who gives us free massages backstage — songs have already been sung, old hits rekindled, and um, harmonies harmed. But one must sometimes “harm the harmony” to re-create a new melody.
As Celebrity Duets draws to a close (it’s finals night next week — I’m gonna be back — to sing! Shudders!), I wish everyone the best of text voting luck and of course, for a soulful and inspiring performance. On another note, last week proved that between artists, great duets, even when apart, are possible. Swatch was able to conquer the network wars by hosting both Christian Bautista and Billy Crawford’s supremely sold out concerts, (oh well, what can tita Virgie Ramos NOT do? Hmmm, they should make her SING!) and our New Supremos proved that they are worth every penny — even more. Truly world class, timelessly Supreme Pinoy talent should always be nurtured. And that is why WE are here.
As for my singing, the best lesson I’ve learned that we should apply to our lives is something that our musical director Raul Mitra told me one night during band rehearsal. “Just listen and go with the rhythm of the band, and then follow what’s inside of you. Relax, and then rock on!”
Makes you want to break into song to live each moment of your Supreme life.