Noven Belleza Releases Debut Album From Star Music After His Baptism Of Fire From Being Accused Of A Crime He Didn't Commit

NOVEN BELLEZA, a farmer from Victorias, Negros Occidental, won as the first grand champion of “Tawag ng Tanghalan” revived in “Showtime” on March 11 this year, winning P2 million cash, a house and lot and a recording contract with Star Music. His life story was even featured in “Maalaala Mo Kaya”.

But the 22-year old singer soon got his baptism of fire when a 19-year old girl accused him of rape and he was arrested after appearing in Vice Ganda’s concert in Cebu on July 16.

Noven insisted he did not commit any crime and would prove that he is innocent. The case was subsequently dropped by his accuser and it was dismissed by the court on September 11. Last Thursday, Noven launched his very first album with Star Music.

“I want to inspire people with my songs, anuman ang pinagdaraanan nila,” he says. “Maraming makaka-relate sa mga kanta ko na nagbibigay ng pag-asa, ng inspirasyon, ng lakas para mabuhay.”

The carrier single of his album in “Tumahan Ka Na”, an original song by hitmaker Vehnee Saturno, and its music video shows the sacrifices of OFW’s, soldiers and their families. It’s now getting great airplay on radio and is peaking at number one as listeners can identify with its message of hope. His second single, “Nais Kong Ibalik”, penned by Star Music top exec Jonathan Manalo, has also been released just last Thursday. The other original song in the album is “Ako’y Sa’yo” by Jungee Marcelo.

“We chose songs na babagay sa style niya at puedeng maging anthems sa mga videoke sa buong Pilipinas,” says Jonathan. “We call him the new Kundiman King kasi walang kumakanta ngayon na gaya ng boses niya. He’s the April Boy Regino of today’s generation. The other tracks in his album are remakes ng songs ng kinanta niya sa ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan’ at tumatak sa viewers, like ‘Lupa’, ‘Kung Kailangan Mo Ako’, the spiritual song ‘Sino Ako’ by Fr. Joe Castaneda, and ‘Problemang Puso’.”

Was there a time that Noven felt ashamed because of the case he got involved in? “No, wala po akong dapat ikahiya kasi wala naman akong kasalanan. Malinis talaga ang konsensiya ko. Kaya nagpapasalamat ako sa Diyos na na-dismiss na yung kaso. Ginamit ko ang naging karanasan ko para mabigyan ko ng mas matinding emosyon ang mga kanta ko. So tuloy lang ang buhay. Wala na akong puedeng idagdag para palakihin pa kasi na-dismiss na nga yung kaso. Nagpapasalamat din ako sa ABS-CBN sa pagsuporta nila sa akin. At sa fans ko, ang Novenatics. Heto nga ngayon, may album na ako at dini-dedicate ko ito sa lahat ng mga sumuporta sa akin at naniwalang wala talaga akong kasalanan.”

Was his longtime girlfriend in Negros by the case? “Naapektuhan po, pero nagtiwala siya sa akin at naayos din namin.” Do they plan to tie the knot soon? “Hindi po, kasi 22 pa lang ako at kauumpisa pa lang ng career ko.”