We tell her she can be like other singers who turned out to be award-winning actresses also, like Nora Aunor, Sharon Cuneta, Zsa Zsa Padilla. It’s just a pity that the movies she did are mostly romantic-comedies that didn’t require much histrionics from her. So when will she do a truly challening dramatic film?
“Naku, huwag na,” she says. “Akala mo ba madali magdrama? Masyado akong naaapektuhan kaya I’d rather do light vehicles, gaya nung ‘Poor Senorita’ na more of comedy. Ayoko nang mag-drama.For my next project sa GMA-7, it’s going to be a reality show, ‘The Clash’, a talent search which I’ll be hosting. In fairness to me, the talent searches I hosted before discovered so many good talents like Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go, Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos and Gerald Santos.”
How sad that she doesn’t want to be a serious actress anymore because she has the talent to do good drama. But right now, there’s no denying that, even if other good singers have come along, she remains to be the one and only Asia’s Songbird.
In the presscon of her Valentine concert, “#PaMore”, which will be held at the MOA this coming Saturday, she’s asked if she’d felt that her career has dimmed and she’s very honest with her answer. “Personally para sa akin, nandito na ako sa time ng career ko na ganoon na nga. Ako kasi, very practical na tao. Saka nari-recognize ko ‘yung pinamalagi ko sa industriya na ito and I am very much aware where I am now in this industry. Alam kong hindi na gaya ng dati. Hindi na ako ‘yung sikat. Alam ko na ‘yon. But I just feel very blessed pa rin that I am still given the opportunity to perform. I mean, may trabaho pa rin ako. I think nandito na ako sa age na ganoon. Pababa na. Accepted ko na ‘yon! Mahirap na hindi mo naa-accept, e cycle naman talaga yan sa showbiz. Kasi kung hindi mo ma-accept, magkakaroon ka ng maraming ilusyon and, in the end, you will just pressure yourself and then, magiging heartbroken ka. Basta ang alam ko, up to now, nagtatrabaho lang ako. I just feel very blessed na nandito pa rin ako. When I had my recent solo concert sa MOA, sobrang dami pa rin nang gustong manood so ginawang two nights. And up to now, napapanood pa naman ako sa TV and the Lord still gives me the opportunity to work with other artists like in our ‘PaMore’ Valentine concert. Noong 90s, araw-araw, ang dami kong raket. Ngayon, nararamdaman mong dumadalang na. Pero ako, nai-enjoy ko ‘yon kasi nandito na ako sa estado na may family na ako. Meron na akong anak . Naa-appreciate ko ‘yung mas meron akong time para sa anak at sa husband ko.”
One thing you can say is that she selflessly supports younger singers who invite her to be their special guests in their solo concerts. For their Valentine concert, she and Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid and Erik Santos will be singing songs from the acclaimed musical, ‘The Greatest Showman’. She will sing the song “Never Enough” which was sung by Rebecca Ferguson as singer Jenny Lind in the film. Martin will sing “This is Me” (originally sung by the Bearded Lady, now nominated as best song in the Oscars), Erik will be singing “A Million Dreams” (sung by Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams as kids) and Ogie will sing the finale song “From Now On”. Sadly, no one would be singing the Zac Efron-Zendaya love song, “Rewrite the Stars”, which is our personal favorite. “#PaMORE” is sponsored by Ryu Ramen Resto, Amber Resto, Jollibee, GAOC Dental, with Belo Medical, PLDT Home. Get tickets at SM Tickets 470-2222 and online at smtickets.com.
