We Pinoys, just like any other nationalities love our own celebrities and foreign artists, mostly American artists as well. I have my own share of Filipino artists: singers, tv & movie stars but I must say, I am not really the fan or fanatics as some are. No, I didn't belong to any fans club nor did I put up my own. I am by far the casual fan: if I like an artist, I follow her career but not to the extent that I will buy every single album/cd s/he has produced or watch all of his/her movies. Or, yeah, that was before..
But in recent months, am I turning into a fan? Is it too late for me to be a fan-atic? No way! I'll answer my own question: I'm just being appreciative of real talents when I see one and yes, it's not late especially if the artist's career has just started. Like Arnel Pineda and Charice Pempengco. Oh yes, gals and girls, pare and mare, I am a FAN of these two. And my friends her in L.I. New York, are pushing me to be the president of our own chapter of Arnelian fans club. Gosh, now I am being embarassed.
But before these two, i have always admired Lea Salonga. Even before her London and Broadway appearances. I loved watching her "Love Lea" shows back in the 80's when she was just a child. Maybe because I liked her talking in English-that which did not endeared her to the "masa" or common people. So, being able to watch her on a musical or play was my ultimate dream experience. And finally, I was able to do so last April 2007 in Broadway when she did Les Miserables again, this time as Fantine. I was so much fulfilled. Her peformance was so moving and she was just amazing actress as well. And to top it all, I was able to have her autograph and took pictures of her. However, my camera ran out of battery , the pics wer eout of focus because I still didn't know how to work it. I had one tiny shot of her but it's in my cellfone, and I don't know how to upload it since I don't have a USB for my fone. . I will try again sending it via email.
Why are they pushing that idea to me? Simple, I give them many information about Arnel, what's going on with the Journey tour, song updates, trivias, the release of the Journey mp3 player, etc. Remember, I was once an information officer, so I am just doing what I know best, ha ha. Oh well, if you hang out too much in the Journey related forum at Journeymusic.com, Melodicrock.com and at the Arnel Pineda offcial site, and the APIFs site, you'll get a dose of information. And I get to know my virtual friends there from all over the world! But no, I haven't really accepted the proposition to be president. I'm honored but can't just do it. lol. These girls just won't leave me though. And one of them is bringing along Philippine flags to the Journey concert. Am not into that, not that I am not proud of my country, but because this kind of offends other people's sensibilities. And mind you, it's coming from Filipinos as well.
And about Charice, I can't get over this girl, ever since I heard her YT vids when she was like 10 yrs. old and all the others that were posted. I was just blown away!My gosh, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Was thinking she will be the next Regine Velazques, only to find out she would be the first one to break the international scene for Filipino artists.
I didn't follow her battle at Little Big Star (since I didn't have a TFC and haven't found Pinoy Chnanel yet) and only knew how she fared in that show after all the accounts I have read in YT and Pinoy Channel when she became a YT sensation and guested in those popular US talk shows. That is really the sad state of our showbiz industry in the Philippines. Good looks and mestiza features are foremost considerations to make it big, never mind if you have mediocre talent and sings like a drunk frog!
But thanks to the almighty internet and You Tube, Charice and Arnel was given the biggest break in their lives and are now living their dreams. I was able to watch Charice sing LIVE at the NY City cultural show to celebrate the Philippine Independence Day last June 1. My friend Geraldine urged me to go to the city because Charice will be there . And this time, I was "huli sa balita". So I asked her wher she got the news and it was from the Asian Journal (she got from the Philippine's Best store in Hicksville). I was lucky because I was given a day off that Sunday (which is rare). But I told her I have to attend the church service then and will just go straight there afterwards. And that was around 1:45 when I boarded the train. It was hot and humid. I missed tha parade and when I got into the area, there I saw thousands of Filipinos.
I heard one woman say that Princess Punzalan quipped that she didn't realize there were a lot of Pinoys in New York. The program was already going on and Princess was the emcee. I didn't even knew it was her as I was far from the stage and my focus was to get some food as I was STARVING! It was almost three oc'lock and I havent' had lunch yet. Finally met my friend there after several missed calls and text msgs. Oh, the sound system was blaring that's why we couldn't hear our phones ringing. And the hunt for food was fierce!!! You have to brave the lines and squeeze in to get to the "tindera". My oh my, so unorganized the vendors were. Had I not been so hungry and tired and the prospect of hearing Charice live, I would have left soon.I am telling you, I wasn't the only one complaining. I hear people muttering (in English na ha): "I can't stand this anymore". "Why is this so disorganized?" "Where is the line here?" And to top it all, once you get to the front of the line, the vendors won't even answer your questions like that barbecue guy. I was kind of speaking to a toad who can't talk back. What a test for my patience. Thank you Lord, I am becoming a really good Christian now. I didn't make "taray" ha. Finally, after falling in line at several store tents, I got my barbecue, pancit and wait..that's all for almost 40 min. of wait and hurdling those lines. I just missed the torons-all gone when it was my turn to order. Gosh, was I so mad! Geraldine had a lot of rice she ordered earlier, so we settled for our barbecue and got our fill. I got free drinks from another tent-from sponsors of the activity. So I was good for another three hours.
After we had our fill, we just sat in the park grounds (Madison Ave), people watching...the young women in bikinis sunbathing near us....asking around what time will Charice be on the show. No luck..nobody seemed to know from everyone we asked. We were far off from the makeshift stage but we could hear what was going on as the speakers really blared. They closed the whole two blocks of Madison Avenue for the show, and the stage was on the entrance of the road. We waited and at around 5 p.m., Geraldine and John decided to go ahead since they were going to see the view (of NY skyline) at the Empire State Building. Been there so I said I'll stay. Didn't I come here to see Charice? so, I was really resolved to wait till she comes up that stage.Speaking of tenacity!
So when they left, I also made my way near the stage to find a good spot there. Alas, teeny weenie me, people were towering over. Okay, keep on looking..forward.. till I got into the back of the portable toilets. And there was a steel fence separting the park premises from the street. Well, great because I could climb up a bit and could now see the stage. By that time, Fe de los Reyes was performing. Remember her? She was a singer comedianne and I just knew then that she was in LA already,and stil performs there in local bars and shows. She was just invited over to the show to perform as well. She was hilarious!!! Randy Santiago came next. He was promoting his new cd - 25 years whatever, I forgot. Saw his cd on the Starry tent but didn't buy it. Randy Santiago didn't look a bit older. Charice' cd was sold out; I learned later.
Then came the announcement that Charice was the next to perform. The crowd went wild and roared for Charice. Actually she was the last ..like save the best for last. I was really surprise to see her in person. I mean she is literally very small, slim, petite, but the voice that comes from that tiny body is monstrous, so powerful I am amazed just where it is coming from. Now I FULLY understand why Ellen and Oprah and the Las Vegas audience were wowed by her. She sang three songs: two were Whitney Houston songs (as her fave artist is Whitney) and the third was an OPM. It was originally sang by Martin Nievera but was arranged to suit her vocal range. This was in this song that I got goosebumps because I couldn'tbelieve she could hit those high notes so well. Unbelievable. You have to hear her live to really be in awe of her talent!!
Here's sharing to you the link to the YT vids of the NY show that someone nice enough posted. In this song, her accompnaiment cd wasn't ready (ano ba iyan) but she was so cool enough and fun to handle it. Just click on the other NY vids about her. Nice if she remains this way.
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March, 2008