Ten years ago, I was so into Kitchie Nadal’s music, liked Acel Bisa‘s soothing voice and singing Nina‘s renditions of old songs. They’re part of new generation of Filipino artists that gave new milestone sa local Music scene.

Remember that from 2001 to 2009, we got new popular bands din apart from 90’s Parokya ni Edgar, Rivermaya and Eraserheads?  Then there also female artists who proved they were not copycats of other renowned singing divas like Regine Velasquez,  Lani Misalucha,  Jaya, Pop Fernandez, Zsa Zsa Padilla and others.  Pero sabi nga penetrating mainstream is a challenge and longevity is another one. I am not updated kay Nina, but I hope  she’s doing great and my blog is open in case she wants to inform me. naks!

Meet up with Nina

For those questioning if Nina can really sing, sige iwan natin yung ibang awards niya pero  nandoon na yung record na  she’s the first female local artist who received Diamond Record award (that’s equal to 10 platinum awards). Honestly, isa pa rin ako sa mga humahanga sa mga gumagawa ng original music, dagdag ko pa rito yung ayoko rin ng mga singer dinadaan sa controversy at epek ang kanilang  showbiz career mapagtakpan lang ang kawalan ng talent. Subalit, hindi ko maitatatwa na gusto ko ang versions niya ng Love Moves in Mysterious Ways, Love Will Lead You Back, True Colors and Foolish Heart. Furthermore, I believe she has soulful voice ano man ang issues meron siya, oh well hindi siya tatawaging Soul Siren for nothing.

Na-meet ko s’ya in person noong July 29, 2008 at event yun para sa  kanyang album na Nina Sings the hits of Dianne Warren. Hindi man siya kasing lively ng ibang artista na ma-PR pero hindi naman s’ya supladita. Masasabi ko rin na hindi kataka-taka na magkaroon s’ya noon ng mga manliligaw gaya nina Jimmy Bondoc at Nyoy Volante dahil may arrive siya at she  knows how to brand herself.

Nina:  Doing Cover songs and Popularizing Original hits 

Ilan sa tanong at sagot that day ay interesante for me kasi bukod din naman kay Nina ay nagkaroon ng time na halos wala ka na atang napakinggan na bagong kantang Pinoy maliban sa revival songs.  Ilan sa mga nasagap kong tsika sa  kanya at yeah I can quote kasi may recorder ako nun ay  mga ini:

Q. Alin ang mas fulfilling, doing cover songs or popularizing original hits

(with) Soul Siren Nina

” It’s fulfilling to sing any songs, be it cover or an original song. Basta the fact na I’m singing, it’s fulfilling.

Q. Challenge singing cover songs versus original?

” Ang challenge po ng cover songs, of course you are familiar with the song already. The fact that a song is already popular no need for you to really push it or promote it.”

“With the original songs, what you do is you really have to strive hard to promote the song, and to make the people listen to… to make it a hit di ba?

Oo nga naman ano,  sa bagay it  boils down din kung ano ang maghi-hit sa listener. But hopefully, huwag matapos kina Yeng Constantino at sa mga banda ang paggawa ng original song.

Q. Success  in doing the covers?

When I tried to sing a cover song I’d like to own it na parang you won’t realize na it’s another person’s hit song.  What I do is to really feel it to let them know [listeners] what the song talks about.

Kyla Versus Nina

Siempre ibibida ko rin na nagtanong din ako sa kanya, hehehe.  Eh ang Hoshi aware that time na may Love Will Lead You Back na si Kyla at alam ko pinagko-compare sila dati.

Hoshi :  Aware ka ba na may Love Will Lead You Back si Kyla?

Actually naisip ko iyong baka sabihin na naman nila ito rivalry na naman kasi usual na sasabihin nila. Pero ibang version naman sa kanya, ibang version yong sa akin. Like yong type of music niya iba, yong tunog ng music niya sa tunog ng music ko.  Siguro nagkataon lang na pareho kami ng hype kaya kami  pinaglalaban.

Incidentally, si Kyla ay nasa bakuran na ng ABS-CBN at magiging mainstay na raw ng ASAP kung saan dating madalas na nagpe-perform si Nina kasama ang mga Sessionista  ( with Sitti, Aiza Seguerra, Richard Poon at iba pa).

Hope to watch Nina’s live gig soon. Mabuhay!

 Soon on Hoshilandia My moments with Kitchie Nadal and Acel BIsa soon