Monique ready to take first big step

There’s one little shining star on the entertainment horizon that might just illuminate the showbiz scene in the next few months. Her name is Monique Rae.

First and foremost a singer, Monique dreams of breaking into mainstream show business by way of showcasing her many talents. "Singing is my first love," says Monique, "but I’m open to the many wonderful possibilities that might spring up once I make my first big step."

Actually, Monique has already taken her first big step in her pursuit of her dream. Hers is the voice behind the current jingle of a popular coffee brand, called One Moment, One Nescafe. The melodic composition can be heard as background for the latest coffee commercial featuring a former Miss Earth titleholder.

"I was so glad to have been chosen to interpret the jingle. For someone so young like me, that’s a big deal," she enthuses. Monique, who recently turned 18, recalls that she was just a happy newcomer who would sing in a few music lounges and bars when the opportunity came. "I was asked by the arranger to do the demo of the jingle for a pitch and I gladly said yes, not expecting anything. That’s why when I was told that the brand executive approved my version, I simply jumped with joy."

Monique is becoming a favorite in venues like Café Lupe and 19 East. She performs at the Tagaytay branch of Café Lupe every Saturday and owner Alvin Carranza is more than elated to have Monique as the venue’s weekend star. "She is talented and beautiful. For the short period of time since we got her, Monique has developed a following and that’s a very good indication that she’s got what it takes."

Monique is most at ease when she performs her repertoire of alternative rock and current billboard hits. The girl loves to experiment and give the songs of Hillary Duff, Alanis Morisette, Michelle Branch and The Corrs her own flavor and rendition. She can play the guitar, too.

Monique is the beautiful result of an inter-racial union between David de los Santos, an Andre Agassi and Bruce Willis look alike Filipino-American from Seattle, Washington and a petite singer from Bohol, Eva Santos. Eva, who used to sing with Chad Borja for the Zee band, met David in one of her gigs and the love story brought forth Monique and two other kids.

Throughout her growing up days in Cebu, Monique already showed interest in becoming a singer-performer. She’d be involved in campus musicals and productions for an international school in Cebu and would perform in private parties of relatives and close friends. Her promising talent paved the way for her to become part of the famous Cebu TV show called Sabado na Gyud where she performed to her heart’s content.

She belonged to the Palmolive Perfect 10 Circle in 2004. Her vibrant personality, good command of English, knowledge in music, and Southern charm won her the nationwide search for Channel 23’s Studio 23 VJ Search.

Now based in Manila since she decided to enroll here, Monique feels she’s ready to take on anything that can help her better her God-given gifts of singing and hosting. She even wants to try TV. "I have a big crush on Sam Milby and John Prats," she bashfully admits, "it will be awesome to be in a project with them."

Young, warm and transparent, Monique summarizes her dreams in a few sentences. "I just love to perform. It would be really nice if I can sing in the more central venues in Makati, Quezon City, and Ortigas. And hopefully, I’d get a recording deal from a top company so I can have my own CD soon."

For someone gifted and determined like Monique Rae, I believe that her dreams are just within reach. So get ready for her.