How does it feel to be working with the person you are also sleeping with? Is it not difficult? Doesn’t it get boring? Will it not hamper your growth as a person? These are the questions I was prepared to ask Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña, one of the most respected and long-lasting singer-couples in the entertainment industry today. Both believe that there are advantages and disadvantages and both agree that the positive far outweighs the negative.
“Sometimes, it becomes a bit tiring” Robert says, “as even if I want to relax, my manager-wife is there to remind me to do this and that.” Isay nods in agreement. “Yes,” she says, “between us, I am the obsessive-compulsive one and even at home, I don’t fail to remind him of musical pieces that he has to study and other things he has to prepare before a show.” “But,” Robert quickly asserts, “that is nothing compared to the way things have been made much easier for me with Isay around. Not only is she my manager, she is almost always my guest singer, my duet partner, my production assistant and most importantly, she is my inspiration.” This made me go back to the few times when my husband Paul and I tried working together. We would always be at each other’s throats by the end of the day (ha, ha ha!).
At the Tropezz Restaurant where I did my interview, I was pleasantly surprised that Robert and Isay had brought along their two boys, Roberto (15) and Emilio (eight), products of a marriage that has so far lasted longer than other showbiz unions. They have another daughter, 21-year-old Maria (Didang), who could not be with them then. All three are showing their musical talent and inclination in the performing arts in their own way, and both husband and wife are understandably very proud.
They should even be prouder, I thought, at how the kids behaved themselves, waiting patiently for their celebrity parents until I finished my long and tedious interview.
Working together started in Magsimula Ka, a musicale where both Isay and Robert were cast. It was followed by Miss Saigon where Isay played Gigi and Robert went from a “swing” (understudy for all parts), performing as Thuy, to playing the much coveted role of the Engineer. Both Isay and Robert got rave reviews for their fantabulous performances. Not resting on his laurels and craving to hone further his singing, Robert even underwent rigid trainings in London. It was in Miss Saigon where they knew they were in love and not wasting time, married each other in the short span of two months.
Both Robert and Isay are very much dedicated to their craft and are very professional in their careers. In London, they learned always to be punctual, and come prepared. Although they experienced the glamour and the high pay that go with performing in other countries, they felt that they had to come back to Manila and contribute, in their own little way, to the enrichment of the local entertainment industry. Last year they produced the album Dueto to share and promote Philippine Music. This time, they have another baby in the album I Dream, a compilation of beautiful, inspiring and motivational songs recorded by some of the top Filipino singers, i.e., Bituin Escalante, Luke Mejares, Jenine Desiderio, Jamie Rivera, Raymond Lauchengco, Arthur Manuntag, Karylle, Agot Isidro, Carl Balita, Tony Rebosa, and, of course, Robert and Isay. The album, co-produced by Balita under Ivory Records, is powerful in its content and all the songs were carefully chosen to uplift the soul of the listener as they all speak of hope and reaching for one’s dreams. Special mention should be made of the excellent additional vocal components provided by Zeb Zuñiga, Cecil Aurellado and the Cuadro, whose contributions made the songs even more pleasing to the ears.
Even as they are promoting the album, the husband and wife tandem is now conceptualizing another project that will prove exciting to those waiting for that vacuum in the Filipino theater world to be filled. Robert and Isay’s love for the stage is definitely driven not by the attraction of money but the craving for fulfillment as actors-singers. As they speak about all these projects, which they usually discuss over a bottle of wine at home, you feel their burning desire to do much more for what they describe as extremely talented Filipinos very much appreciated abroad. “We feel that there is still so much that can be done, that is why we are now into creating and producing our own projects.” There is no doubt that this next endeavor will be another glorious achievement by the couple after having seen them work together in the very successful Love You, Hate You, Love You concert series last year at Music Museum.
It is indeed a perfect combination. Isay, who loves working behind the scenes, never runs out of ideas and is very good in the production side. Robert continues in his quest to be a perfect crossover artist. Isay and Robert are driven by their passion to uplift the Philippine music industry. “We are so blessed to be working together. We have each other to discuss work problems. We have each other to divide the work load. And even at our busiest, we always make sure to spend quality time with our kids and to pray together.” And that, I believe, is the couple’s greatest success of all.
(E-mail me at celebrations-dot@yahoo.com or text 0927-5000833.)