The Perfect Song

The hardest part of being in a singing contest is PICKING THE RIGHT SONG.

It has to be the one that suits my voice, the one that would have a great impact on the audience, the one where I could have much drama on stage and best of all the one that would fit my style.

It took me more than a week to find the perfect song, often times spending most of my free time just searching on the net, asking people around and checking other resources for that PERFECT SONG.

But finally after much thinking and debating I have decided on something where I could dance to the song and something that suits my personality...

NOBODY by the Korean girl group WONDER GIRLS. :D

My plan is to try to reconstruct the song according to my voice and also reconstruct the mp3 to a different arrangement than the original.

Now, the next problem would be... the costume... :p

FEBRUARY 26: The Fighter

February 26, marked the first fight for the Pop Icon title. All of the contenders felt the tension amidst the laughter and chitchatting... it was time.

I arrived at the Philippine Embassy feeling refreshed. Before I went to the venue I worked out, vocalised, ate a hefty meal, drank herbal tea and took a short nap while listening to classical music. I made sure that all of the things I will be needing in the competition were ready and good to go. Everything were prepared and so was I.

All the contenders were still bonding and laughing backstage despite the uneasiness everybody were feeling. Finally, after four Fridays of rehearsals and workshops it was time for us to shine and show our stuff.

We started the show by performing "THE CLIMB" by Joe, the 2009 winner of X-Factor, then we hurried of backstage to dress-up for our performance.

I was contestant number 8, but somehow when we were called to the side of the stage I felt tense and thought to myself that I needed some more time to rehearse my high notes... so I prayed. And as if God heard me, the call for the Aisha prayer came and so the show had to stop in respect. That gave me ample time to prepare.

When my turn finally came, I answered the interview questions with much confidence... and then the performance.

The moment I walked to the center I didn't feel anything, everything went black and I felt like I was possessed by the music. It didn't matter how I looked or sounded, I just wanted to give everything I've got and perform well. I felt like a pop star! At the end of my performance I was surprised because I heard lots of people cheering for me when I didn't even brought so many people to root for me.

I stumbled and fell... but I stood up and tried again. Despite all obstacles, I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND!

With dedication, passion and determination, I rose and became one of the victors. I was definitely a fighter that night.

The Thank You

FINALLY! All my hard work has paid off! I have my voice back and I am very well conditioned for the competition tonight! And it's all thanks to my friends, family and vocal coaches who had stuck with me 'til the end! PLUS of course my determination to win and my passion for singing helped too. :)


There are so many people to thank... so I'm gonna start with:


MY MOM, who stuck with me from the very beginning and has supported me in all my endeavors... She's my number one supporter in this POP ICON competition... My stage mom, thank YOU! I will be a much better daughter to my mama from now on! I LOVE YOU MA!


MY DAD, who patiently drove me to practices, Pop Icon rehearsals and costume fittings. :)


MY SIBLINGS, who are always there supporting me and cheering me on!


MARK BADONG, who graciously took some time off from his busy schedule to watch me sing every night and bring inspiration. Thank you for giving me my strength and passion back. This song is for you and you know it! :)


MICHAEL ARLOU DE DIOS, who listened to my woes every night and gave me time to think about what I should do to pull myself up again. Thanks for being such a wonderful and supportive friend! And for giving me HK! I will bring her tonight! ^^


MRS. KHOURY, for always believing in me and giving so much confidence! And for taking some valuable time each day to coach me for free in your class. I am sorry for those times that I felt I couldn't do it, but I am thankful that you have so much faith in what I could do! :)


CRISTINA PENALOSA, for being a very patient vocal coach! You've done so much in polishing my song and helping me get back on track after getting sick! I would still be singing sharps and flats if it weren't for you!


JEI-C, who gave me that very powerful message that woke me up from my desperation! I will never forget what you said, that my enemy is me and I am my only inspiration. That my song is about being a fighter so I should fight... and so I AM FIGHTING! :D

MS. LAURIE and MS. SITTI, two of the most wonderful co-workers in the world! Thank you for lifting me up each day and for allowing me to go to Ms. Khoury for my training even during work times hehehe. :)

MY FRIENDS AT FACEBOOK/MULTIPLY, POP ICON S2 and S3... Thank you for all your wonderful and inspiring messages! Thanks for taking time to vote for me as well. :)

And above all... GOD THE ALMIGHTY, for Whom I owe all these blessings. If it weren't for God I wouldn't be in this competition. Thank you Lord!!! This fight is for YOU!

The competition is tonight at 5PM KSA/10PM PHIL. at the Philippine Embassy here in Riyadh! Please take some time to pray for me or send me some positive vibes. :)

The Climb

Lately I have been down in the dumps, because I have been sick with a sore throat and cough for two weeks and that rendered me useless, because I am not allowed to practice my piece, to sing and to do cardio work-outs for my breathing. And so when I came back from being ill my voice was not in good condition.

Then last Saturday, for the first time after two weeks of being sick, I sang again with Mrs. Khoury... and I really sucked! I didn't nail the high notes, I wasn't myself. AAAAARRRGGGHHHHHHHHH! I WANTED TO CRY that time!

I only had 6 DAYS... SIX freakin' days before the competition and I am still not at my best!!!!!!

A huge part of me wanted to give up. But a chockfull of friends were lifting me up with wonderful words of wisdom. A friend of mine even asked me the title of the song I was going to sing in the competition, and I was like “You already know right, it’s Fighter”… and that’s when he made his point, that my song was about being a fighter and fighters don’t give up, they fight! A friend of mine also said that I have to think about my passion in singing, my determination to win and stay focused in what I’m doing… and that’s what I am doing right now.

I can’t say that I am back to what I was before I got sick but atleast I’m doing my best now and not giving up.

I guess struggles like these happen to challenge people and see if they really want what they want. I suppose a lot of pop stars had to go through same things like these in the beginning.

Well, just like Miley Cyrus said in her song, The Climb:


“The struggles I’m facing, the chances I’m taking, Sometimes might knock me down but no I’m not breakin’… But I gotta be strong, Just keep pushing on! There’s always be gonna another mountain, I’m always gonna wanna make it move, Always gonna be an uphill battle, Sometimes I gonna have to lose, Ain’t about how fast I get there, Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side… IT’S THE CLIMB!”

KEEP THE FAITH!!!

Sick

It’s been more than a week since I practiced singing and it is making me feel rusty.
I have been sick since Feb. with a sore throat and that lasted for a week, which was then followed by a bad cough and I still have it today.
I guess this is a lesson for me not to overdo practicing especially during cold weather. Now I realized how important it is to take care of, not only my singing voice, but of my health as well, otherwise it will be useless if I can’t sing well because of my condition.
My vocal coach suggests to stop singing once I feel tension in my throat, and to only sing my piece twice a day to not strain my voice. I should’ve listened to her.
Now, I only have less than two weeks to prepare for the 1st elimination round and I’m still not in my best shape and I still haven’t been rehearsing.

The Audition Piece

 My Audition Piece during the Pop Icon Auditions uploaded by Sherwin... LOL... don't LAUGH! :))

Jan. 29: The Photoshoot

I had such a grand time during our photo shoot that I almost didn't want the day to end. We were all beginning to bond well with each other, joking around, almost as if we're not competing. I guess this is how the contenders in the Pinoy Dream Academy or Pinoy Big Brother feel, they form this special bond inside the house that they almost forget that they are in a competition.

While waiting for our turn, I formed my "Boys Over Flowers" group, of course inspired by the popular Korean and Japanese series. The concept was very fun because we ended up looking like characters from a Korean teleseries.

More of our behind-the-scenes pictures in here.

And here's my picture from the photo shoot... I just grabbed it from one of the photographers hehehe. There will be more coming soon, so hold your horses hehe

                                            

Check out the rest here.