Singers offer tips to keep throat, voice in excellent condition

(From left to right) Dr. Teresa Gloria-Cruz, theater artist Gold Villar Lim, singer-songwriter Noel Cabangon, President of Pharex HealthCorp and radio personality Mr. Fu pose for the press at the launch of Sorexidine at Annabel’s Restaurant in Quezon City. NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Sore throat is the worst enemy of anyone who relies on their voice for work. And singers have handy tips on how to keep one’s throat in good condition.

Singers are like other professionals such as teachers and call center agents who are prone to sore throat. 

Folk crooner and composer Noel Cabangon and theater artist Gold Villar Lim on Wednesday shared tips they observe to make sure their voices are in tip-top shape.

For Cabangon, rest and exercise are important. He said it’s also always best to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

“Kailangan ko ng tulog sa tamang oras para ma-prepare din ang boses ko. Tapos, I also do exercise. At ‘di ako masyadong nagsasalita,” he said in a press conference in Quezon City.

“Syempre, tubig. Kailangan talaga ng hydration,” he added. 

Lim echoed Cabangon’s tip on drinking more water to preserve one’s voice. She even said that hydration in between performances is significant. 

“Every scene, ang ginagawa namin, inom ka talaga ng tubig as in kahit sip lang. Para moist ulit siya para makapagsalita ka at makakanta,” Lim said.

Indeed, water truly helps in easing sore throat, as further explained by otorhinolaryngologist Dr. Teresa Gloria-Cruz. 

While sore throat is among the top complaints by patients, Cruz said there are many ways to get rid of this discomfort before seeing one’s physician and among them is simply staying hydrated. 

“There is not a single day that an ENT [eyes, nose, throat] clinic will not encounter a patient with sore throat,” Cruz said. 

“Very important, voice rest, hydration. Best friend po natin – tubig, tubig, tubig. Room temperature is the best. But warm fluids in addition pwede,” she advised. 

Whether the soar throat is viral or bacterial, Cruz recommended gargling with warm saline solution. 

Cruz, Cabangon, and Lim were in the press launch of Sorexidine, an oral antiseptic for sore throat and other oral infections.

“Asin at tubig po na mainit init, one teaspoon sa 500ml water, pwedeng first aid,” she said. “Pero talaga po, studies have shown, if you use a proven antiseptic gargle, that will already kill the bacteria and the virus.” (Editor: Katherine G. Adraneda)