When Can One Be Called A Singer?

I always tell my friends that being a singer and being a performer are two completely different things. Anyone who can carry a tune can be a singer but not every singer can be a performer. A performer is someone who has the complete package. The voice, the presence, the theatricality.

But then I wondered, when can one be called a singer?

You see, I try to listen to everything but of course I have my preferred genres when it comes to music. There are different styles and different techniques to grab the audiences attention. But will the singer be good enough to give justice to the song?

When songs are written, the songwriter shares a story. A piece of them is embedded into the music. It could be the lyrics to verbally express things they could not say out loud or maybe it's in the melody to make the listener feel the emotion they want to convey.

The job of the singer is to give life to the song. Give it meaning. Give it soul.

Some singers don't do that and sadly, some songwriters write for the money and not for the music. They write because they are paid to do so not because it's what they want to share with the world. It's the same with singers who sing songs just because it is what's expected from them.

I have no respect for singers like that. Some singers belt out songs just because it is within their vocal range or they are trying to fit in with the latest trend but their voices, high and loud as they may sound, are empty. They don't know how to feel the song. They don't know how to capture the emotion that was infused with the lyrics and the melody of the song.

Personally, I would move that these singers be stoned to death but social convention dictates that, that would be wrong.

I won't name names because my perception of things are slightly different from most people. That being said, I am not generalizing all singers. There are some who can belt but still give justice to the song but unfortunately there are some who don't. When I see these singers perform on stage (and some of them can barely hold a tune), I ask myself what their fans see in them for them to be loved so much when in fact there are people who are 10 times more talented than them whose talents are ignored because they would not bow down to social construct.

When the time comes that all our timeless diva's are gone, what will happen to the music industry? Will we be left with nothing but electronic dance music and autotune or will there be those who will rise to be the new divas of that generation?

My Funny & Crazy Valentine

When Gregory saw what I prepared for him, he was speechless. He was in shock.

“I could never pull off something like this for you.”

“I feel unworthy.”

“The most I do is pay for dinner when we go out.”

These were words I heard from him. But I kept telling him that it’s fine. He didn’t need to do anything like that for me. I have simple joys. When he bought me a sansrival cake, my favorite cake, I was very happy. He bought one from some overpriced cake shop and I told him he didn’t need to do that. A sansrival from Goldilocks was already more than enough for me.

I am not that expressive when it comes to showing gratitude and I’ve already told him that before. Just because I don’t say thank you for the things he does, it does not mean I’m not grateful for them. Just because I don’t tell him everyday how good-looking he is, it doesn’t mean I find him less attractive. 

When I make fun of his cooking skills or his first-world problems that I lovingly refer to as “Alta Problems”, it doesn’t mean I am belittling or mocking him. It is my way of making lambing. 

When I tell him that the goblins in his head are running around because of his obsessive-compulsive personality, it's my way of showing him that his quirks make me smile and that they're part of the reason why I fell in love with him.

When I tell him to stop controlling what I wear or the food I eat, it doesn't mean I'm upset. I'm happy that he wants to help me improve my lifestyle.

When I tell him to stop nagging me when he asks me to lessen my junk food and processed food intake, it doesn't mean I get annoyed at his nagging ways. I'm happy that he wants me to live a healthier lifestyle.

And when he told me that he wanted me to lessen my smoking because he didn't want me to die early so that he could grow old with me, I knew I had found Mr. Right.

So maybe I am a basket case and have more emotional baggage than I care to admit. Maybe I am a little bit of a fixer-upper. Maybe I'm still trying to fix the pieces of my life that I left broken for so many years. 

I'm lucky I have someone who's not only willing to wait for me to fix whatever needs fixing, but he's also willing to help me pick up the pieces and fit everything back in place.

Because of that, I have all I've waited for... and I could not ask for more.

Valentines 2014

"What's the plan on Valentines day?" he asked.

"I don't know yet." I said

"Do you wanna go out or just eat in? You can cook." he suggested.

"If we eat out there will be a lot of people and I don't like big crowds of people."


Two days before Valentines day.

"What will do on Valentines day?" he asked.

"I don't know yet. Let's just decide on that day."


Valentines day came. We were texting each other.

"You wanna meet at Megamall?" he texted.

"I'm at home. I did not go to work." I replied.

"So I'll just go there straight?"

"Yes come here nalang."

"What're we gonna eat?"

"I'll cook nalang. You bring dessert."


He arrived at the house.

"I'll just go upstairs and change," I said.

After a few minutes I asked yelled for him to come up.

He saw this.

"Oh my god!" he exclaimed.

"Did you honestly think I didn't have anything planned?" I asked, smiling.

Wicked Manila 2014

Mariah and I watched Wicked on the 23rd of January. A few years ago, I promised her that if Wicked ever comes to the Philippines eh manonood kaming dalawa. By hook or by crook, manonood kami.

I told her dress up so she showed up the at CCP wearing this. Dressed to the nines ang bakla. Nagmukha akong PA niya...

...kasi I wore a shirt haha

Here is the Oz Dust Boutique where people could buy official Wicked merchandise. To be perfectly honest, they had better merch in Singapore. The didn't even have the new grey hoodie or the Grimerie. I ended up buying a poster.

Here we were waiting for Act 1 to begin. One thing I've noticed, if it's an international production, the ushers aren't very strict when it comes to taking pictures before the show starts. Of course, when the lights are turned off and the curtains rise, then the ushers make sure that cameras and phones are tucked away.

Pag local production and you're already seated, even if the show hasn't started yet, the ushers are breathing down your neck. Super strict to the point na akala mo ipipirate ng mga patrons ang show. I can't blame them but they should teach their ushers to be more polite.

And here is the stage. It's as beautiful as I remember it.

The show was amazing and Mariah said she enjoyed it. The whole time I was in disbelief that I was watching Wicked again. I am so happy they brought the tour here. I'm watching the show 2 more times. Yes, fanboy eh.

Hitched!

Darnell, who has been my bestfriend for almost a decade now, decided to marry his girlfriend of seven years, Marj.

They were my housemates when I still lived in Baguio.

The wedding was on the 26th of January and of course I had to be there kahit na hindi ako ang best man. Water under the bridge.

So there we were sa Frangeli House kung saan gaganapin ang kasal ng bayan. Eto ang gown ng bride. All those beads were apparently hand-sewn.

At habang naliligo si Marj, pinaglaruan namin ni Darnell ang mga props para sa photobooth.

So this was my outfit during the wedding. I had to keep the coat open because I couldn't close it anymore nang hindi nagmumukhang suman. #FatPersonProblems

For the first time, I used a pocket square (picked out by Lyve) and a pair of cufflinks for my shirt. In fairness, I look fierce. Walang kokontra!

Ayan, my VST & Co. shades.

Here are they are approaching the pastor :')

I was so happy that we weren't required to wear leather shoes. I hate wearing them. Kaya I wore my Jeremy Scott knockoffs.

And here is the blushing bride. Hindi naman halata ang saya niya ano?

The highlight of the ceremony was nung lumabas na ang bride. Luckily, someone managed to take a video of it.

Post by Yan-yan Gervero.

I don't know how to properly embed a video from FB so ayan.

It was an amazing ceremony and I am so happy that I was able to be part of it. I wish them a lifetime of happiness and to have a fun-filled and fulfilling marriage :)