Kuh Ledesma
Having been on the music scene for more than 40 years now, Kuh Ledesma knows a thing or two about career longevity. And if she were to give the younger generation of singers a piece of advice, it would be this: “Work hard, persevere and think ahead.”
“You have to come up with new ideas. Work with the best people. If you’re passionate about your craft, you won’t let it go to waste. You have to have the passion and talent,” she said at a press conference for her upcoming concert, “Hello, Love: A Valentine Getaway.”
Sounds simple enough. But there will be moments when inspiration will be hard to come by. Even Kuh has been there, too. But through Christ, she said, she always finds the will to keep moving forward.
“The joy of the Lord is my strength. If I didn’t have a relationship with the Lord, I would have already given up or fallen into complacency,” said Kuh, who’s a devout born-again Christian.
The OPM icon has always been a hard worker. But she needs fuel. And Kuh used to search for it in other places back in the day. “I have never been tamad, but I always needed inspiration in my life. When I was young, it’s as if I couldn’t sing when I wasn’t in a relationship. But there’s none of that now. I no longer look for that,” she said.
Kuh’s separation from her ex-husband, Louie Gonzalez, was one of catalysts for the renewal and strengthening of her faith. “It was a process. I was so broken, and I felt like I had nowhere else to go. I used to seek advice from friends when I had problems back then. Unfortunately, nothing seemed to work. But God showed me that following His words is the only solution,” she related.
‘All up to God’
As far as having a love life is concerned, Kuh said that’s “all up to God.” Either way, she already feels whole. “I feel so complete having Christ our Savior in my life. I don’t have this feeling like, ‘Am I sad?’ I have joy in my life, even if there are challenges … because I surrender everything to Him. All things will come to pass, no matter how big or small the problem is,” she said.
“Hello, Love: A Valentine Getaway” is a destination concert that will be held on Feb. 11 at Kuh’s resort and events place Hacienda Isabella in Cavite. Concert tickets come with an overnight stay and meals, depending on the package. Call 0920 286-8895.
“Valentine’s Day isn’t only for romantic love. We will also perform songs that offer different perspectives on love and life. I have gone through so much in relationships. The ups and downs have taught me good experiences and Godly wisdom. My heart is bursting with the desire to share,” said Kuh, who will co-headline the show with her daughter, Isabella Gonzalez.
“It’s unusual for concerts to be celebrated outdoors in a place where we as artists reside. It’s intimate because we are truly at home in Hacienda Isabella. Even the people assisting us are dear to us—the production people, the waiters, the housekeeping staff and our chef,” she said, adding that the show will be a welcome respite from the chaos of city life.
“The atmosphere will be homey and relaxing. It will be a different Valentine’s Day experience,” she said.
Aside from this Valentine show, Kuh is set to go on tour in the United States this year. She has also been in touch with renowned composer Vehnee Saturno for future collaborations. “I do many things. I work hard and continue to explore different concepts. I don’t run out of things to keep me busy,” she said.
This is her way, she said, of giving glory to God for the talent He has given her.