The girl who doesn’t give up

For most aspiring singers, the best – and fastest – way to fame and fortune these days is to join a singing contest or a talent search. Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go, Sheryn Regis and Christian Bautista are just some of the artists who have used contests as their stepping stone to a singing career.

But for 14-years-old Kim Flores, it was easier said than done. She tried several times to join a contest, but something always got in the way. When she was 11 years old, she applied to join Star for A Night, but was rejected, because she was too young. The following year, she auditioned and qualified for Search For A Star. Someone from the show’s production staff called her up three times, but each time they did, neither Kim nor her parents were around. When they finally returned the call, they were told that the show could no longer accommodate her.

Finally – and quite possibly, out of frustration – Kim decided to take matters into her own hands. She came knocking on the door of Backroom Inc. but was told that "we didn’t handle young talent." A year later, she came to see me at The Buzz. I asked if she could sing me something, and this tiny wisp of a girl, only 12 then, blew me away with her rendition of Queen of the Night. On her 13th birthday party, she performed for me again. She was so good. It would have been plainly stupid not to see an emerging star.

But that didn’t stop this spunky girl from trying to make it as a contestant on a singing contest. She made several attempts last year. She joined Pinoy Pop Superstar, but was again turned down because of her age. But a talent like Kim’s can’t remain hidden from the public for long.

In November 2004, Kim recorded Joys of Healing featuring her fellow Backroom artists and produced by Margot Gallardo, who has written several songs for The CompanY. Despite her age, Kim was able to hold her own vocally, even alongside her more seasoned colleagues. Margot was impressed by the teener’s voice and looks, and kept her in mind for future projects.

Little did Margot know that an opportunity would present itself sooner than she expected. After a few days, Margot received a call from Tony Ocampo of Ivory Records. Ocampo was looking for a young female singer. Margot thought of Kim and submitted her profile and demo CD to Ivory. The recording company’s executives were impressed by the quality of Kim’s voice and set up a meeting to discuss the possibility of a recording contract. But Kim kept alive her hopes for joining a singing contest, believing that it would do her good.

In January this year, she joined Search For the Star in a Million, but the qualifying age was raised to 18 years old. A few months later, she tried to join the second batch of Pinoy Pop Superstar, but because contestants had to be at least 15 years old to qualify, she did not make it.

Finally, Kim and her parents decided it was best to just let fate take its course. If a singing contest really wasn’t meant for their daughter, then so be it. In the meantime, Ivory Records kept trying to get in touch with us through Margot, following up on its offer for Kim. After five months, a recording deal was finally closed.

Kim’s album, entitled Kim Flores: Something At First Sight, contains a total of 12 cuts, all of which were carefully chosen, keeping in mind the fact that Kim is only 14-going-on-15.

The 14-year-old singer, whose parents first realized she could sing at age two when they saw her playing with a hairbrush and pretending it was a microphone, is determined to make good on her career, and even her colleagues in the industry are sitting up and taking notice. In fact, Kim will soon guest as the teenage Regine in the Songbird’s forthcoming concert series, Reflections, at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex.