Phoebe : another world class pinoy singer

The international stage set by singing stars with Filipino blood seems to be big enough to accommodate more talents. If that’s the case, then 23-year-old Phoebe, another foreign land–based Pinay discovery, is likely to find a space available for herself. Besides, she possesses a voice strong enough to get much attention, while her album “The Love Revolution” contains a couple of tracks that best capture that power. 

Her first single, the tuneful “Your Love Is Like Sunshine,” has already received radio airplays locally and presents her as an R&B singer with singing style remarkably reminiscent of Cristina Aguilera’s. This assessment, though, can be best noticed in the emotion–driven ballad entitled “Crying Like A Girl” which is one of the highlights on her album released locally by Alpha Music.

In a phone interview with the Manila Bulletin, the London–based singer expressed her hope that Filipinos will like her singing and her 10–song album that contains four songs she co–wrote with some foreigners, including her producer and manager Steve Ancliffe. “I love being a Filipino in as much as I love to sing and dance in front of people,” she stressed.

Phoebe was born in Manila but grew up in Hong Kong. With strong Spanish blood running through her Filipino veins, she’s a certified Asian Latina whose singing influences include Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. Among the local stars, she hails the Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez, but considers Lani Misalucha her ultimate personal favorite. She was obviously surprised upon learning that the Divine Diva, who, years ago, left for the States and shocked fans of her sudden showbiz departure, is no longer around. “Lani is really a great singer. I’d been amazed of her, especially when I heard her version of “Queen Of The Night.”

Discovered in 2003 while singing in Hong Kong, Phoebe is set to come home soon to promote her album she recorded in London. Her taste of the global music circuit, with performances and recordings both in UK and mainland Europe, honed her confidence that she is truly determined to make a name in the global scene. “I represent my home country, The Philippines, and I hope to give a global perspective to my music. It’s important that everyone shares each other’s cultures and experiences. And for me, being an Asian within a global music market helps much in that process.”

As for her album which is reaching record bars abroad, Phoebe believes that it’s a package that reflects her artistry and the kind of person that she is. “We wanted to make sure that we chose the right songs. When it’s your first album, it’s important to define who you are because it’s those first impressions that count. I believe ‘Love Revolution’ has captured all aspects of my personality.”

These days, quite a bunch of singing talents with authentic Pinoy roots have conquered, in their own right, the international crowd. The trend that started with Jasmine Trias of the “American Idol” fame is certainly on the upswing. Good thing they’re usually vocally proud of their Filipino blood (Apl.de.ap,born Allan Pineda, member of the popular Black Eyed Peas; Nicole Scherzinger, frontwoman of Pussycat Dolls; and Mig Ayesa, a dashing rocker who failed to win the INXS’s frontman search but won the hearts of many Filipino fans).

Not pressuring herself of the tough competition she is ahead in the music biz, Phoebe focuses on her work and leaves everything to listeners. She is satisfied sharing stories about her recording, and the way she considers the significance of lyrics vis a vis good melody. On “Crying Like A Girl,” “When you’re recording a great ballad like ‘Crying,’ you have to have the emotion and pictures that portray the words you’re singing. Recording the vocal for that song occurred at a sad time in my life. I’d just split from a long relationship and I was miles away from home and my emotions were high. I guess my producer realized it would be a perfect time to record that vocal. We had the vocal down so quick, capturing just the way that I felt. I lived every single word in the song.”

So, will Phoebe’s passport get through the hearts of audiences here and abroad? Well, that question remains to be answered. At least, she has the record and talent to show, denial or approval is up to them.

source:

Manila Bulletin