A different Jolina

The common bane of young singing stars with youthful looks is making the transition from kiddie pop to grown-up materials. While ordinary beings wake up one morning to find themselves adults, showbiz people are an entirely different case. Some were fortunate to have the right guidance like what happened to Sharon Cuneta who went from Mr. DJ to Langis at Tubig and Sana’y Wala ng Wakas with ease. Some, whose names I will not mention anymore, unfortunately never outgrow their youth and remain in continually fading memory as cute child singers who keep on performing their one or two hits until old age when they have already become withered shadows of their former selves.

This must be the problem that confronted Jolina Magdangal these past few years. Although her early success as a singer and actress left her with a vast reservoir of goodwill among fans and colleagues, there is still that point when she must embrace maturity as a performer and be in some ways, different. Then there is of course, the fact that the petite Jolina can still past for 14. This should really be an asset for any woman and sure, she can still sing Sana with sincerity. But as every little girl did since time immemorial, she also wanted to grow up.

A smooth metamorphosis finally takes place in her new album Jolina Sings the Masters. The cover sitting is instant proof that something has changed. Jolina has gotten rid of the colorful wardrobe, hair ribbons and her trademark bangs. The 10 new pictures in the booklet show her in provocative poses wearing figure revealing clothes created by different designers that show a great deal more skin. Then unlike the bubbly Jolina of a few years ago, her expression is now sedate and her smiles demurely controlled. She seems like a different girl altogether and she looks great.

There are 15 songs in the album and these are mostly ballads. Some come with a light pop lilt like Kahit Di Mo Pansin. Others are downright dramatic like Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan. The common denominator they share is that they are all made of serious stuff. There is no fiddling with the concept in here. There is not even a hint either of the kind of role playing she did in her oldies collection. What Jolina does here is explore adult emotions that her fan following would have found anathema only a short while ago.

The Masters in the album title refers to the songwriters who contributed songs to the collection. Jolina chose to do old and new songs but and it is a big but in this case. All of these songs must either be covers of famous tunes from the past or a new work by a famous composer who can be rightly referred to as master. Jolina came up with a good mix and several of these masters are represented in the album. Willy Cruz, Ryan Cayabyab, Vehnee Saturno, Freddie Saturno, Danny Tan and others whose works have become contemporary classics.

A particular favorite with Jolina is Million Miles Away by Robert More. It is a song she remembers singing with her friends during her high school years when it was first popularized by Joey Albert. It does not only bring back happy memories, it is also one song she has always wanted to record. She is also happy about How Will I Know? because the composer David Pomeranz of Got to Believe in Magic fame, personally chose this for her and it has lyrics by another famous personality, Kathie Lee Gifford. Trina Belamide’s No Letting Go is another one she likes because it turned out that she and Trina had the same idea about the song’s concept.

Saturno’s Kahit Di Mo Pansin is the first single release. Jolina should be in safe hands with Vehnee’s track record as hitmaker. The other songs included are Langit ang Ibigin Ka and Ako’y Umiibig both also by Vehnee, Bulung-bulungan by Freddie Aguilar, Iyong-iyo Pa Rin by Willy Cruz, What is a Sweetheart by Jose Mari Chan, Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang by Ryan Cayabyab, Teach Me to Fly also by David Pomeranz, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan by George Canseco, Ang Tangi Kong Minahal by Danny Tan, and Higit Ba Siya Sa Akin? by Freddie Saturno.