A voice all her own

Saturday afternoon, 2 pm. At a busy intersection in Pasong Tamo, passenger jeepneys clog a two-way street as confused traffic enforcers try to figure out whose fault it is.

Along that congested road is Kingswood Arcade, a commercial complex where the well-known crooner-politician Rico J. Puno put up a small but homey music bar called Coriks. It is empty at this time, except for a waiter carefully stacking beers in the fridge.

Eyeing him coolly is Tosca Puno, Rico’s eldest daughter. She looks around the pub and smiles, perhaps relishing the fact that, in a few hours, Coriks will be jammed with office workers out for a drink and a chance to unwind. As soon as the crowd is relaxed enough, they might actually listen to her sing.

"It is just a total and natural high when people pay attention to your music," Tosca declares while holding up a yellow pad containing her activity list. "Nothing beats a feeling like that because you’re doing what you want and love. For me it’s singing and performing. You need to work hard to make the audience listen intently, and I’m still mastering that craft."

If the customers that night give her half the cheers of what she received during a recent show in Hong Kong, the stint would be a success. She was absolutely thrilled when, in the middle of a number, her name was shouted out several times by some fans. It could be because she is a Puno, offspring of one of the Philippines’ most enduring entertainers, or that several teenage boys in the audience were smitten by her good looks. Either way, she’s not complaining.

"That particular show was great!" Tosca happily recalls. "I was just into my first lines when I heard my name being chanted out! It was as if they were reaching out to me as a person. Parang kilalang-kilala na nila ako. May bonding kaagad. Kaya naman I gave my all."

She continues: "I just wish I started out sooner in the business. Kumakanta na ako kahit nung bata pa lang. It’s not that I really dreamed of becoming a singer, but my parents always forced me to do a number during parties. Eventually, nagustuhan ko na rin. And it soon became my passion. Of course, my dad said I had to finish school first because I might want to do something else in life, so I did. Pero pagkanta pa rin talaga ang gusto ko eh, kaya sana I become successful in this field."

At the very least, Tosca is off to a relatively good start. Although her name is still little-known in the realms of mainstream music, she has a lot to smile about. At 23, the St. Benilde graduate has performed in concerts here and abroad–mostly opening for her father and his equally famous artist-buddies like Rey Valera and Marco Sison. And even if she has yet to finish recording a debut album (which she started last year), Tosca signed with Viva after her demo of Kapalaran two years ago, and dutifully made a Christmas CD with the label’s other young talents, including Sarah Geronimo.

Tosca’s vocal abilities in the record are evident, and the public was given a glimpse of a budding star. Blessed with an expressive and soulful voice, she takes her flair for live performing to the hilt, molding herself into an emotional and communicative performer.

"When I’m doing a show, I love moving around the stage. I love the hot klieg lights and the energy of the people as they sway to the beat. Most of all, I love the applause. Now you might think I’m vain, but who in the world wouldn’t like that? It’s something special," she gushes. "Singing or dancing to music takes me to the edge. It makes me happy. And that’s the only thing that makes me high besides chocolates, my favorite snack."

Oddly, it is not the style and taste in modern music that sets her apart, but her curious preferences for the oldies, easy-listening and jazz, because it is very dissimilar when compared to the regular favorites of many youngsters today. If you’re anybody between the ages of 15 and 27, you’d most probably fall under the rock, hip-hop, R&B, or pop divisions. Not Tosca.

"I really go with the classic tunes in my repertoire because it’s a lot better. Some of the music right now is just pure noise, and you don’t get to hear what makes it tick anymore. So I’ll choose an old Sara Mclachlan jingle over an Outkast one anytime," she admits, adding that her music collection includes those by the Beatles, 70s and 80s tunes and, of course, her father’s songs.

"Others might say I’m just leaning towards this genre because of my dad, but that’s not true," she emphasizes. "I think many songs should be left in its simplest form so that the real beauty of it can come out. Many artists find it easier and more effective to communicate that way."

But for all her dedication in the field, Tosca is not limiting herself to music. It may come as a surprise, but she also dabbles in acting–mostly theater, and with a traveling group that stages classical and contemporary plays in Metro Manila and nearby provinces in a production called Dangal ng Lahing Pilipino, a tribute to our national artists. She plays the lead role.

Tosca also used to guest in variety and talk shows, and virtually accepts any opportunity to showcase her skills. But her musical gigs are still top priority, and mixed with theater, promotions and rehearsals, there really isn’t much time for anything else.

"I’m pretty much a normal girl, and I’m just a homebody, but I still like shopping, going out with friends, and basically just hanging out," she sighs. "Unfortunately, my schedule nowadays only permits me to do so much. But I think that I made the right decision to sing professionally because it’s in my blood. I’m addicted to it. And it just comes back even more when I shy away from it. It’s my calling. I’m hoping this is gonna last kasi desidido na talaga ako sa pagkanta. But siyempre, in this world, nothing lasts forever. So I’m just enjoying every minute of this, taking it one step at a time."

Viva has plans to team up father and daugher a la Nat King and Natalie Cole. Tosca is very lucky because there is overwhelming support from her family and friends. Mom Doris coaches her on flexing vocal chords, while dear old dad, while not openly encouraging her to follow in his footsteps, is always there to lend support. Ditto with Tosca’s younger sisters, who cry out in glee everytime they see their Ate on TV and in concerts.

"My sisters are cool with my singing, but they warn me not to be too corny onstage. I’m not really sure what they mean, but I guess it has something to do with my punchlines," she laughs.

And what about love? Tosca waves her hand as if to dismiss the topic, but soon relents. She broke-up with her boyfriend a few months ago and is currently unattached. But before all those would-be suitors start lining up for a date, Tosca recalls her jam-packed schedule.

"I have no lovelife right now," she gamely admits, "and that’s because I want to concentrate on my career. Yes, it hurts, but we all have to make a choice sometime. And if it doesn’t work out after all this, it’s okay. I won’t die trying to make it big because there’s no sense in forcing anything that won’t happen. I can live another life."

That maybe true, but with her golden voice and natural talent of performing before crowds, Tosca’s star is bound to shine even brighter –with or without daddy’s name.