True singing, Tres Marias-style

TRES Marias members (from left) Lolita Carbon, Bayang Barrios and Cooky Chua

Cooky Chua and I are kindred spirits. I fondly call her “Norah Jones” because just like the Grammy winner, she has such a soothing voice.

Cooky and her “soul sisters” Bayang Barrios and Lolita Carbon, known as Tres Marias, will have a concert at Music Museum on Sept. 4, 8 p.m. (For tickets, call 7210635).

Some singers are all hype and no substance. Leave it to these three chanteuses to show us what honest-to-goodness singing is all about.

Here’s my tête-à-tête with the Tres Marias:

How do you resolve differences?

Lolita Carbon (LC): We talk and laugh about it.

Cooky Chua (CC): I just follow them, my bosses.

Bayang Barrios (BB): We argue, keep quiet, then apologize. We cry and laugh after!

What can the audience expect from your concert?

LC: Many things… it’s outside my comfort zone as a folk singer.

CC: Lots of fun and laughter, and great music. Mel Villena is our musical director.

BB: A night of authentic voices and music.

What are your do’s and don’t’s during shows?

LC: Everyone has a list.

CC: We’re still figuring them out. We’re very spontaneous!

What song will you never get tired of singing?

CC: “Moon River.”

BB: “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas.”

What tips would you give aspiring singers?

LC: Sing from the heart… and enjoy it!

CC: Practice. Always listen.

BB: Practice, love your work and enjoy.

What are your thoughts on singers who lip-synch?

LC: It’s sad… very cheap!

CC: Live and let live.

BB: It’s their choice. It’s not good, but it’s their life.

What do you think of nonsingers with albums and concerts?

LC: The people around them only think of making money. It feels very cheap!

CC: Live and let live.

BB: It hurts, but that’s the reality now.

What’s the best OPM song of all time?

LC: As long as it’s from the heart, it’s okay!

CC: Too many to mention. But there’s a special place in my heart for the songs of Gary Granada, George Canseco, Willy Cruz, and Ryan Cayabyab.

BB: Joey Ayala’s “Awit ng Mortal,” Mike Villegas’ “Harinawa,” Gary Granada’s “Iisa” and George Canseco’s “Ngayon at Kailanman.”

What’s your song for yourself these days?

LC: “Ganyan Lang.”

CC: “Mahawi Man ang Ulap.”

BB: “Bagong Umaga.”

How would you like to be remembered?

LC: Lolita Carbon… still salty!

CC: A loving and dedicated mother.

BB: A girlfriend, a lover, a mother, a wife and a good friend.

Milestone preservation

In this digital age, most of us just keep our photos in our mobile devices or hard drives. But if you love printed photos, you can now preserve all your milestones in Photobooks by Nice Print.

For P2,000, you can have an 8” X 8” photobook that can contain 50 to 70 photos. The price includes layout service, printing and binding. For a small fee, it can be delivered to your doorstep.

Just e-mail photos via Dropbox to cai.pdpress@ gmail.com.

Let’s preserve our memories properly.

Culinary tips, twists

Drew Arellano will showcase his culinary skills in the GMA 7 cooking show “Home Foodie,” Monday to Friday after “Unang Hirit,” starting Aug. 10. On weekends beginning Aug. 15, it will be aired within “Balitanghali” on GMA News TV.

The show is all about inspiring home cooks to reinvent favorites and recreate dishes using San Miguel Pure Foods products. Learn new twists, tips and techniques from chefs Liena Arcenas, Rene Ruz and RJ Garcia.

Stop, cook and listen!

Personal

Happy sixth anniversary to Belo Mega Atrium. Kudos to my ever fab sis, Vicki Belo; my favorite, Doc Carlo Lozada; and the Belo Medical Group team for reinventing skin care.