Wednesday, January 16, 2008 Bongga Ka Pilita, Dulce, Malu
Pilita, Dulce and Malu, who have a concert on Jan. 18, talk about their music idols and bongga (lavish, grand) moments in life. Leticia Suarez-Orendain has this report.
Let’s talk about divas in the Philippines.
Asia’s Queen of Song, Pilita Corrales, comes to mind. She holds the distinction of being the first female artist to top the Australian pop music charts long before Kylie Minogue. Pilita, who has velvety and distinctive voice, said she admires one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, Ella Fitzgerald.
Next is Maria Teresa “Maritess” Llamedo, better known as Dulce. Just as Judy Garland owns Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Dulce owns Ako ang Nagwagi because of the powerful and memorable way she sang the song.
Who does she admire?
“Ms. Pilita Corrales. When I was a young girl in the province, we could not afford a record player. And the neighbors always played Pilita Corrales. She was all that I listened to as a child. The very first album that was given to me was a Pilita Corrales album. I wasn’t able to listen to it since we did not have a record player. But I kept it until I was able to finally get my own player.”
Maria Luisa Baring? She’s the third diva, or actress-singer Malu Barry. She starred in the 2004 Jeffrey Jeturian film Minsan Pa, but people remember her as the sultry diva who captivated defunct director Lino Brocka with her Shirley Bassey style of singing.
Wouldn’t it then be a casting coup to have the three divas in one concert? In fact, they have a concert, Bongga Ka ‘Day, to be held at the Cebu International Convention Center on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. Call Hanah at 238-2685 for tickets and details. Malu also said they are bringing Bongga abroad. Working with a legendary director is Malu’s bongga moment.
“I did my first movie, Kislap sa Dilim. It was the last movie of the late director Lino Broca.”
For Pilita, her bongga moment is the chance to sing for kings (the King of Spain, for example) and singers like Sammy Davis Jr. Spiritual transformation is Dulce’s bongga moment. “When I came to know the Lord, my entire life changed for the best!”
Aside from shows, Malu is recording her first single Hatinggabi. Dulce is making The Power of Your Love, a Christian album under Gusi Records.
Pilita (from Lahug) and Dulce (Villa Bulcita, Bulacao, Pardo) trace their roots to are from Cebu. Malu is from Davao City. She may be a flower replanted in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, but she has the warmth and humor of a true blue Cebuana.
