Franco’s new album

Because I never felt the urge to watch those once-upon-a-time proliferating dance shows on television, I always had the impression that Franco Laurel was a singer. In fact the first time I saw him perform was as part of the cast of the musical Rama at Sita. Then I heard he was working on an album and doing a solo concert. Later on, though it turned out that Franco had only just recently embarked seriously on a singing career.

Franco, 29, got into showbiz when he answered an audition call for TV hosts. Armed with good looks and the ability to speak well, thanks to years spent living abroad with his diplomat father, he easily passed the test and was soon a fixture on local television. But while he hosted and danced and impressed the ladies, he was all along feeling frustrated at not being able to pursue what he had always wanted, which was to sing.

There was an album containing only a few songs with music minus ones that he recorded during his early days in the business but it was hardly heard of. Besides, the songs included did not suit his style at all. There were some TV stints as a guest singer but these did not happen often enough. What may truly be considered his biggest break was Rama at Sita where he held his own against well-known performers like Ariel Rivera, Raymond Lauchengco, Lani Misalucha and others.

It is no wonder then that he sees the cancellation of the TV show Keep on Dancing as a blessing in disguise. True, it deprived him of a regular weekly show but it also spelled freedom from the hosting and dancing chores he had been doing for several years. Best of all, it has provided him an opportunity to concentrate on what he had always wanted to do – be a singing star.

Franco’s first major move towards his goal was the production of a new album. This time around he was determined to include only songs suitable to his youthful and easy singing style and which he felt good about. Titled With You, the album is under his own FRL Productions and distributed by Viva Records. With Eugene Villaluz as producer, Franco was able to put together a package of originals written just for him and some adaptations that easily lent themselves to Filipino lyrics.

Franco scored remarkably well with his first single release, With You, also the title track of his album. It is a composition by the award-winning team of Danny Tan and Dodjie Simon who wrote it as a wedding gift for Franco and his wife, the former Ayen Munji. With an arrangement made by Danny, the couple recorded With You and gave away copies of the song to friends as a souvenir. They also performed it live during the reception.

Franco liked the song so much that he included it in the album where he and Ayen sing it as a duet. Public reaction to the song is very positive. In fact, because it celebrates true love, many disc jockeys sort of made With You one of their most-played tunes during the past Valentine season. A music video of the song featuring Franco and Ayen and directed by Jun Reyes comes free with every copy of the album.

Another cut that sounds like it will make a good single is Bakit Maraming Bakit? by Moy Ortiz and Edith Gallardo, the same team that gave Aiza Seguerra the phenomenal seller Pagdating ng Panahon. It is a simple ballad but that emphasis on bakit in the lyrics gives the song strong recall and makes it very commercial.

The other cuts included in the album are Sana’y Magkita, Ngayon Lang, Iisa, Please Don’t Cry, Noon, Subukan Mo, Heavensent, All You’ve Given Me, and When You Love Someone Who Loves You.

When last heard from, Franco Laurel was busy making the rounds of the malls performing songs from the album and giving away Valentine teddy bears and heart-shaped pillows to fans. He has already done shows at SM North EDSA, SM Megamall and at SM Southmall. He will next visit SM Iloilo on March 2 and SM Cebu on March 3. Joining Franco in these shows are Rica Arambulo, John Lapus and Ayen Laurel.