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Friday, January 10, 2003
Roxanne Barcelo: Living out a dream
By Vincent Alocada
WHEN I was in elementary, I was an avid follower of singing competitions on TV, be it local or national. It may be embarrassing, but I have to admit that once in my life, I dreamed of becoming---yes, (blush, blush, blush) a singer! With voice only enough to carry a tune, I was delusional that I could make it to the recording industry.
Watching IBC-12's local singing search, "Kampeon sa Rehiyon" and "Ang Bagong Kampeon" by Pilita Corrales and Bert Marcelo fed my fantasy of becoming a concert performer, hoping that one day, I could join such contests that would usher my entry to showbiz.
Becoming a singer was a dream that remained a dream. Actually, I never took a single step to actualize that dream because I never had a single chance to do so and nobody motivated me (which is good for it spared me from a possible traumatic humiliation). Now I'm sure, I'm never meant to be one. I'm happy and contented rendering song numbers inside the bathroom or when facing the videoke channel of my television set. Of course, I still watch singing competitions especially Regine Velasquez's "Star for A Night" which airs every Saturday evening, but only for entertainment purposes and not because I have a hanging ambition.
Our individual for this week, just like the 2 stalwarts in the music industry --Nora Aunor and Regine Velasquez, was ushered to showbiz because of a singing competition that put her innate singing talent on the spotlight for a few minutes, but its effects she savors for almost four years now.
Roxanne Barcelo started having the passion for singing when she was about 8 years old. Having parents who are both Filipinos, she was lucky enough to break in into a local channel's children show in Virginia, USA where she displayed her singing skills. As Roxanne's dad and mom decided to give more quality time to her and her younger brother, they left their jobs and started packing their bags and prepared for their return to their motherland.
"In the States kasi, both parents have to work to sustain their family. Eh, my parents wanted to give us more time so they decided to go back here na lang," Roxanne shared.
It was in 1997 when GMA-7 staged the first ever Metro Pop Star Search that aimed to discover new singing sensations. It was also at this time when Roxanne's family returned to the Philippines--and Roxanne was able to witness the competition that aroused her interest. Because of what she saw on TV, she knew she wanted to give it a try--and she did the following year.
Totally clueless with the ropes of the Metro Pop and armed with her talent and ardent desire, Roxanne went through the thick of the process to fulfill what she wanted.
"I didn't know anybody and I was only 13. I didn't expect for anything. I just wanted to be there. Winning or losing didn't matter to me."
Though she only placed second in the competition (the plum went to Champagne Morales), Roxanne's talent never went unnoticed. Even if GMA-7 was focused in pushing Champagne Morales' career, Roxanne got tidbits of the attention by having time to time guestings in various shows of the station.
In December of 1999, more than a year after her stint on the Metro Pop stage, Roxanne got the most pleasant gift she had for Christmas that year. With no anticipation and expectation, TV director Mack Alejandre rang Roxanne's phone telling her that she was being considered as one of the leads for GMA's upcoming teen-oriented show meant to replace TGIS.
"I was confused...I didn't know what to do. I was ecstatic and scared at the same time since I never had acting experience prior. Anyways, I considered it and along with more experienced teen performers, we formed the first 'Click' barkada. Later, I found out na most of them pala had to go through an audition while in my case, it came so easy and fast. Siyempre, I also felt awkward kasi most of the cast, magkakilala na."
Though I'm not fond of these teen-oriented shows, I am fully aware that the original Click was never successful in toppling its rival, "G-Mik" of ABS-CBN. However, with its new cast led by Alessandra de Rossi and other fresh faces then, Click now gives GMA the upperhand in the competition. As for Roxanne, she didn't feel bad for having lost her "Click" exposure where she honed her acting skills. As a cliché goes, "When God closes a door, He opens a window." Now, Roxanne is part of a Sunday afternoon drama series, "Kahit Kailan", where she acts side by side with Jolina Magdangal. The show poses as a threat to the ABS-CBN's Sunday afternoon toprater "Tabing Ilog".
"Part of that World", the famous "Little Mermaid" song was Roxanne's singing piece when she took the Metro Pop Star Search stage in 1998. And now, for almost 4 years, she's part of the showbiz world that she dreamed of. But following a dream is never an easy ride: we will always encounter bumps along the road as we try to live out our goals in life. In Roxanne's case, experiencing the thing that makes showbiz incomplete without it, intrigue, was a tough one especially when she was just starting.
"I'm very weak emotionally. When I hear bad things said about me, I really feel bad, especially before because my parents never made me feel negative....but now I'm getting by."
When we were still kids, we were encouraged by our parents to dream big. Remember those lines we normally uttered like "When I grow up, I'd like to be a doctor"? Or "When I grow up, I'd like to be a pilot"? For some, they get to fulfill their childhood dreams, but others don't. Our dreams may change as we age further, just like what happened to me. Consistent or inconsistent, it doesn't really matter. The important thing is, we should never run out of dreams: for dreams are the lubricants that keep our engine running in this machine called life.
Roxanne Barcelo dreamed of becoming a singer, and she took brave steps to be closer to that dream. Though she doesn't have an album yet, she acknowledges the good things that happen in her life right now---things that came about because of her move to reach a dream.
Dreams are for free. Dream big, dream fearlessly. Allow no one to clip your wings in your quest for that dream. As Susan Polis Schutz said, "This life is yours...Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well."
Acknowledgement: I'd like to thank the ever dashing and debonair Joseph Teruel of Peak Ads and Events Inc. and Robinson's Place Iloilo as well for making this interview possible.
(January 10, 2003 issue)
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