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Monday, August 08, 2005
You give me fever!
SUPER trouper Orly J. Cajegas sends off another real trouper to a nationwide talent search on MTV.
Her vocal chords were practically killing her: Perhaps all these late night gigs —singing until the wee hours in an oftentimes smoke-filled environment — inevitably took a toll on her frail frame (like all band people know, these are the hazards of the job). But the trooper in Kristine Gonzaga Demeterio, 24, as well as the passion to share her gift of music, didn’t allow her sore throat to dampen her spirits.
Although she was afraid she wouldn’t make it to the mythical magic five of The Next Big Thing talent search that McDonalds organized in collaboration with MTV Asia as well as Vicor Music Corporation, she just couldn’t let this whale of an opportunity slip thru her tiny fingers. The deadline was fast approaching but an irritating, nagging cough continued to hound her: the doctors ordered complete vocal rest for the next three weeks stat. Disappointed, she almost gave up. She even had to cancel her appointment with a local recording studio (since one of the requirements was a demo tape).
But a friend encouraged her to live up to the challenge. He advised her to choose songs she could sing with her eyes closed. So at 8 p.m. on July 15, with no recording studio that would welcome an unannounced, if not last minute booking, she decided to pick up her microphone in her music room, and sing.
The erstwhile lead vocalist of Serendipity recorded two songs in her bedroom with that reliable karaoke, captured on cassette tape. For the first time, the songbird sang for herself in wild abandon (because she knew for a fact that there wouldn’t be the trick of technology in a studio recording to enhance her voice) her favorite SWV song Weak and Destiny’s Child’s version of Emotions. She then submitted the demo tape at 10 p.m. to McDonald’s Jones, and left everything to the universe.
The fine arts graduate from the University of San Carlos should thank her lucky stars, indeed. On August 2, she got a call from MTV that she made it to the magic five, the only one from outside Luzon. Last Thursday afternoon, she flew to Manila to vie for the title in three-week intensive mini-concerts as well as the prize money of P250,000.00, plus a recording contract with Vicor and massive exposure from music channel MTV.
Could she be the next R ‘n B sensation? Let us count the ways: she’s got the attitude; her aura is a cross between Ashanti and Beyonce. Her voice is note-perfect and the quality, crystal clear (she can even whistle a la Mariah Carey effortlessly). Her experience in the band circuit (at the moment she’s part of the celebrated One In Him band that performs regularly at Camp Z) is already enough to let her own the stage when she performs. With her bubbly personality and candor, coupled with dance-sport training, not to mention a flair for the funky, Kristine definitely spelled her name right: with a “K”.
Is this your first time to join a competition?
My second time, actually. I joined the season two of The Search for a Star in a Million and made it to the top fifty nationwide.
How do you feel that you made to the top five in The Next Big Thing search?
I feel blessed and special, extra special. My luck comes with my poor health (laughs).
Are you ready to be the Next Big Thing?
I guess. If God permits it [to happen], why not?
What are some of your apprehensions?
Talent-wise, I know I can do it. But since I’m the only one who’s not from Luzon, it’s already a given that I’ll have the least number of fans supporting me in our mini-concert tours. So there …
And how are you preparing for the competition?
I haven’t even done packing yet; everything is, like, in a rush. But I’m not complaining. My voice is not yet 100% in tip-top condition, but I know God will help me all the way.
What do you think is your competitive edge?
Hmmm… I love R n’ B music. So I guess I’ll just be having a good time.
(Type VOTE BIGMAC KRISTINE and send to 29763 for Globe and Smart, 2277 for Gentxt subscribers; 1 pt for Smart and Globe, 2pts for Gentxt votes)
(August 8, 2005 issue)
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