FOR THE LOVE OF SINGING
(Essay published in Sun-Star Weekend Magazine)
It's Sunday evening once again! "Turn on the radio!" someone shouted as the clock struck seven. Few
seconds later, a song played on very high volume begun -- "We're living in a powder
keg and giving off sparks. I really need you tonight, forever's gonna start tonight, forever's gonna start tonight".
No. It wasn't my favorite local singer or a chorale singing. Definitely not a disc jockey in a radio station. Nobody could
probably guess it. But it was the first contestant of the most awaited on-air
amateur singing competition in town.
Tak...tak...Mom
came dashing into the room in rubber sandals, hoping not to miss a single contestant singing.
She was definitely keen on hearing all songs that, moments later, we experienced being swallowed up in an indescribable
aroma of a burning dish she was preparing for supper.
Music-lovers
in my town, far from the city's attractions and denied from all enticing music lounges and alluring karaoke bars, prefer to
spend Sunday evenings listening to radio singing contests ad libitum. Unlike in the city where one could enjoy big concerts from local stars, people in places beyond city limits
prefer to stay indoors and stay up close to their radio sets. This is their idea
of fun.
Town
folks could tune in to any of the three stations having the singing challenge at almost the same time. If a stranger would happen to pass by my own on Sunday nights, he'd probably be delighted to hear a variety
of do-re-mis and the unexpected half notes blaring from every living room windows.
Not
only that. Aside from making the stranger feel so much in love when Taylor Dayne
says "I'll Always Love
You" to the "Lady in Red" of Chris DeBurgh, "Rio" of Duran Duran, "Veronica" of Elvis Costello,
Laura Branigan's "Gloria" and Toto's "Rosanna", he would also be taken into the magical height of "Wishing Well", "Ghostbusters" and "Abracadabra" and to places like "Africa", "Wild Wild West", "Desert Moon" and to as far as "Under the Milky Way".
The
80's music was my footing. I am certain of that.
I grew up in a family of music lovers, learned my first song in 1981 and sang in public in 1984 when I was about 9
years old. Mom was the professional singer. She's
got the voice that would somehow cause a light bulb to explode and house lizard to slip from its stronghold. For the record, she had sent many music enthusiasts packing during her teens as her high vocal chords ring
for thousands of radio listeners. With her voice as an asset, she became an undefeated
champion for twelve weeks and since then been identified as the songbird of the town.
It's
hereditary. My older brother started singing on platforms at six. He did so well with "Cool Change" he impressed our town folks. Years after, he became
a member of the band.
My
younger sister faced a roaring crowd in her first grade. She sang the piece so
well that she got a nice grade from her adviser.
Among
the siblings, our youngest Jeffrey, is the R and B prince.
He has the lion’s share of mom's vocal dexterity. Eventually he
succeeded her to the throne. At the age of 10, he conquered the airwaves by becoming
a champion for eight straight weeks. In no time, his little figure could be seen
all over town and other municipalities. His extraordinary talent brought him
instant TV stardom.
"Open
Arms" opened the doors to my first center stage experience. If it wasn't for
Mom, I would have not dared to stand there with lips as dry as the Sahara and palms as moist as a
teething baby's chin, among schoolmates and parents. The first few lines seemed
to have no end. Nevertheless, determination
made me finished the song and lived up to the crowd’s expectations for Mrs. Salas' son.
Training
was hard when I was young. I had to try the strategy of submerging myself neck-deep in the sea on early mornings and sing
at the top of my lungs. I had to bear the dawn's coldness and give up the early
morning dreams in bed.
Every
dog has its day. That idea made me strong enough to hone my singing talent even
more. Many years after, I became a member of a chorale and sang as guest in many
university events.
At
home, we have lots of cassette tapes – name an 80's song, we probably have it.
I
love music. I am just glad music loves me too.