Panky, a single mom's dream daughter

Panky Trinidad's mom Jane says that her daughter's strong personality is often misunderstood. As in most children of single parents, the Pinoy Dream Academy scholar from Cebu has always felt, even at an early age, the need to protect her mom and family. "Mao nang 'astig' ang iyang dating," she explains.

Even at the risk of sounding too presumptuous, this writer has decided to put out back-to-back articles featuring Cebuano Star Dreamers Panky Trinidad and Jay-R Siaboc as though they have already been named as part of Pinoy Dream Academy's Final 6.

As of this writing, the top 6 scholars going into the Finals or Grand Dream Night on December 16 have not been announced. Yet, it is with full confidence that I say "today" that they are on the Honors List and therefore, I'm launching this campaign for the two as we head for the final night.

I am no psychic, and although some would say "hati ang Cebuano vote," I am counting on the ability of the rest of the Filipinos to be fair and put them there because they both deserve to be.

From Day 1, they have shown what it takes to qualify for the top honors. If I am right, then great! If I am wrong, then I refuse to be. In my heart and in that of every Cebuano, Panky and Jay-R have the makings of artists who will make it in Manila and wherever their talents take them.

Panky 'protective' of her family, according to mom Jane

"As a mother, sakit kaayo! People shouldn't judge her according to what they see on TV for just one hour a day," says Tita Jane Frias, Panky's mom on those who think that they already have a full grasp of her daughter's character after watching the nightly PDA shows.

Also a single mom to two other children-Dane, 16 and Kara, 10-Tita Jane thinks that Panky's strong personality is often misunderstood. As in most children of single parents, the scholar has always felt even at an early age the need to protect her mom and family. "Mao nang 'astig' ang iyang dating," she explains.

Panky's family and other relatives, including her Lola Haide, who watched her grow up, will always see the 20-year-old Cebuana as someone having tremendous concern for the people she loves. Asked on what their last conversation was all about, Tita Jane says excitedly, "Magtipid man gud mi pirmi so ingon si Panky na iya daw palitan si Dane ug Kara ug playstation." She adds that the family computer that they have been using is indeed too old.

"Aside from that, Panky wants to take me to Hong Kong! She knows man gud that I never had the means to travel like my officemates at PLDT," remarks Tita Jane who has been a breadwinner since the age of 18, taking care of her kids and Panky's sickly grandmother.

Tita Jane knows that the scholar always has the family's best interest in mind. "But I tell her all the time, think about yourself. It is not your obligation to make up for what I was not able to do in my life." She dreamily adds, "After PDA, I just hope Panky continues her studies. And that she will be successful in pursuing her dream. Most of all, I hope that she becomes the person God will be proud of."

A whole range of fans even before PDA

"I have always known she could sing, but since I'm her mother, I thought that it was just my own biased opinion," says Tita Jane. The full realization that Panky has this amazing singing ability, however, came to her in 2004 at Strumms Makati, when a resident band asked Panky to jam with them on one number.

Having identified as a Cebuana, she was instantly branded as musically-inclined. Her first song immediately prompted cheers from the crowd-and before she knew it, she went on to do four more numbers, which made up a set of various genres, ranging from the alternative favorite "I'll Be" to Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love." Soon enough, the people in the audience were on their feet, and at the end of the set, most of them were shouting, "One set for Angela (Panky's real name)!"

"And that's when I knew Panky truly belonged to music," Tita Jane says.

One more story she remembers of her daughter showing early signs of being a performer happened when Panky was 3 years old. At a party, a group of kids were dancing to the tune of "Electric Youth," a Debbie Gibson hit. "Abi siguro to niya ug apil siya sa number. She got the mic and finished the whole song; those dancing ended up being her back-up," she laughingly recalls. A foreshadowing of PDA perhaps.

But Tita Jane thinks that the one experience Panky will never forget is that when a group appreciated her brand of talent without actually seeing her. After finishing third place at the Tuklas Talino Grand Finals in Davao, a band composed of blind teenagers asked if they could meet the bronze medalist. When Panky went to meet them, they all exclaimed "Ang galing mong kumanta!" Panky was so touched by this gesture that she cried.

And this is how everyone of us should see Panky. In an industry where stardom seems easier for those with model-like frames, it seems natural for most who aren't to stop trying.

But not Panky. I am one with Panky's supporters in hoping that our perception of stars will not be limited to physical attributes (although we must admit that Panky possesses one of the prettiest faces on PDA, thanks mostly to her mom's genes) or to the petty mistakes just magnified because of television.

I pray that we begin to look at what really counts-extraordinary talent and a beautiful heart that belongs to the Cebuana Star Dreamer doing us proud out there-Panky Trinidad! (And the crowd went wild...)