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Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Costanilla: Raki, still the same humble lady
By Sam Costanilla
Spotlight
HUMILITY. Humility is a virtue that some victors easily forget in their hour of fame and fortune. It is a trait that some winners do away with once they wallow in popularity and wealth, even forgetting those who have helped them achieve their victory. But this sad reality cannot be said of music industry’s latest sensation whom I tag as God’s gift to music. I am referring to the country’s Ultimate Diva who happens to be a Cebuana. Her name is Rochelle Vega who now sports the screen name Raki. She brought much pride and honor to Cebu and her fellow Cebuanos when she bested two other finalists in the Jan. 27 grand finals of ABS-CBN’s Born Diva nationwide singing competition. Despite her victory, as well as the enhanced nose and “new” pair of deep-set eyes, Raki is still the same humble lady. And she has been emphasizing this during her two-afternoon mini-concerts last Saturday and Sunday at Ayala Center and SM City, respectively. I had the privilege of emceeing both shows, as well as a press conference arranged for her by Hazel and Hannah Magdadaro with the full support of their parents Sir Greg and Madam Louella and the energetic staff and personnel of both Asian Academy of Music (AAM) and Asian Learning Center (ALC) which the Magdadaros operate. Raki taught voice lessons at AAM prior to the singing competition. Lyndon Joseph Sanchez and Delwyn Go gamely acted as the official photographers and video cameramen during Raki’s first Cebu sojourn after winning the Ultimate Diva title.
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COMMITMENT. What struck me, and probably the rest, was Raki’s commitment to use her victory as an instrument in touching other people’s lives. “I didn’t expect to win the title because my two co-finalists were both good singers. But when my name was announced as the Ultimate Diva, I realized that God has a bigger and more important assignment for me, that He will use my voice and songs to spread His goodness,” Raki told her audience. The lovely singer added that she has yet to negotiate with Star Records (a recording contract is one of her prizes) for her to do an album of purely inspirational compositions. “I am a Marian devotee and whatever happens and wherever fate leads me , I will always sing praises to Her,” Raki added. What a wonderful vow!
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PROMISE. It was during Raki’s two-afternoon mini-concerts that I heard another lady whose powerful singing voice holds a lot of promise. Given the proper break, Marion Busano will surely become another singing sensation in this part of the globe. In both the Ayala Center and SM City shows, Marion did a duet with Raki – and how she performed! Marion is a potential diva – in fact, her AAM friends call her the Livewire Diva. And I fully agree. She should be given her chance to shine as a performer in her own right. Marion’s powerful voice is simply amazing.
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CHRISTMAS. No less than Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will officially launch Cebu’s version of Paskong Pinoy, a project of the Department of Tourism headed by Sec. Ace Durano. That will be on Friday, Dec. 10, starting at 6 p.m., at the Ayala Center Cebu lagoon area. The incomparable Junjet Primor directs the launching, so expect it to be a very grandiose event. Architect and Mom’s Radio broadcaster Maryrose Maghuyop and yours truly will emcee the program. If you have time, do drop by.
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PAGING. Through this article, I am calling on Arch. Dante Pagapulaan who interpreted Sama Sa Usa Ka Damgo, the grand prize-winning song in the 1st Cebu Popular Music Festival staged 25 years ago. Sir, you are urgently needed by Soundtraxx Studio. Kindly call or text me the moment you read this.
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DISASTER. A dinner invitation for a large group of local entertainers and their staff turned out to be a disaster. When the group arrived at the venue, the table yielded leftovers. That left the invitees starving. (Email samcost@yahoo.com or text 0916-3483333.)
(December 8, 2004 issue)
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