Singers as storytellers

My head has been all over the place, much like the rest of me during my three-week concert tour in North America, then to the Miss Universe Pageant in Brazil, then back to North America to finish the tour. Let me rest my mind a bit by tackling the one thing that takes no brain power to do: singing.

The idea of singing seems simple enough. In fact, our standards are so high that even a bad karaoke version of “My Way” is enough to get one killed. Our professional singers are so incredible, even intimidating. Think of any of the greats from times past and present, and that long list would make you smile. Hey, it makes me smile to just be doing what I do.

If there’s something I’ve learned from listening to these gifted interpreters, it’s how they’re able to tell stories of love, woe, hate, worship, friendship, breaking up, making up and patriotism.

Nora Aunor

Ate Guy truly deserves the moniker Superstar because her talent traverses not just the movies (her dewy eyes communicate volumes in a fraction of a second) and television, but, significantly, records.

She started much like another diminutive songstress, Charice, did—in a singing contest.

Thank goodness for YouTube and to countless fans for uploading their favorite La Aunor clips, songs and film moments. When foreigners ruled the airwaves, hers was a voice that could cut through and affect you. I’m listening to her singing “Losing You” as I write—no gratuitous anything, just a girl with her golden voice, singing a song of love lost.

Kuh Ledesma

I was only 9 when talent manager Girlie Rodis got me to guest in Kuh’s first big concert, “Let’s Hear It For Me.” Her hair in cornrows, the voice behind “Dito Ba” sang a selection that showed off her versatility. That said, she is known for those ballads that, paired with her smooth vocals, could either softly rip you to shreds, or send you up to heaven with a smile. Most amazing of all, she still has that voice, and a whistle-bait figure to match. She’s definitely earned her “Diva” title.

Regine Velasquez

This lass from Bulacan has been the “birit queen” for as long as I can remember. Her powerhouse pipes have maintained their strength from when she was a teenager.

Her influence is so pervasive that it seems every young upstart tries to sing like her, sound like her, raise their voices like her. Her response: to take it down a notch or two.

Much more than when she hits those notes up in the rafters, I love it when she keeps it simple. Over the last few years she’s shied away from her signature sound and opted for something no less effective.

Since she’s experienced all the things she sings about, notably love and heartbreak, she doesn’t have to try very hard to captivate her throngs of adoring, loyal fans.

Gary Valenciano

Mr. Pure Energy, probably more known for his dance moves than for his vocal chops, was always that “couldn’t-sit-still” type of performer. I remember a song festival that he hosted many years back, and him rehearsing choreography until the very last minute.

The one song that changed my mind about him was “Take Me Out of the Dark,” a testament to the healing power of Christ. I can’t remember where I first heard it, but a lot of people certainly talked about it, and Gary.

It was clear that he had seen his share of darkness and troubled times, and found that only the love of Our Lord could save him. The song brought many to tears. I don’t know of many other evangelical music pieces that pack such a punch.

This is just a sampling of what we have at home—vocally gifted storytellers who spin a great yarn, put your head and heart in a different place, and make you feel something new.

Discovering ‘feijoada’

Does anyone know where I can find feijoada (black bean stew with pork and sausage) in Manila? I fell in love with it in São Paulo in the worst way.