There was an unmistakable “hopeful” overtone back in 1978 when an upcoming singer named Claire dela Fuente caught the attention of radio listeners with her soulful voice that no doubt raised the sales for Hope Cigaret. That radio plug launched Claire as “The Karen Carpenter of the Philippines,” Karen having been the other half of the popular ’70s duo (with brother Richard Carpenter) who succumbed to complications from anorexia nervosa long before that ailment became a byword in showbiz.
Then came Sayang and what followed was a memorable success of sound.
Early this year, Viva Records released Claire’s last album, a certified “gold,” with Something In Your Eyes as carrier single. Richard composed it for Karen who never got to record it. He gave Claire a special permission to re-record it after Dusty Springfield did. Viva has just released (the first ever) Claire dela Fuente The Christmas Album a month ahead of Claire’s Timeless concert on Oct. 17 at the Music Museum (which also features Rico J. Puno, Eva Eugenio and Dr. Hayden Kho as guest performers, plus MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando and Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes in special participation; and introducing Claire’s singer-composer son Gregorio Angelo Rafael dela Fuente de Guzman).
As a nod to her 30 musical years in showbiz, Funfare asked Claire to draw a list of the “30 Memorable Songs” that define her life and career. Here they are (at random):
1. Sayang — “I’m sure you know why.”
2. Nakaw na Pagibig — “The follow-up to Sayang, which was also a huge hit.”
3. Minsan-Minsan — “The third single that became an even bigger hit than Nakaw na Pagibig and which, I would say, marked my place in the Philippine music industry forever.”
4. Ikaw (by George Canseco) — “I dedicate it to my late husband (Moises ‘Boy’ de Guzman who died in Dec., 2006).”
5. Chiquitita — “The most requested Abba song in my concerts in the ’80s.”
6. Something in Your Eyes — “My passport to my meeting with and eventually being close to Richard Carpenter and his family. It marked my big comeback to the recording scene.”
7. Love Me For What I Am — “I sang it at the UE Kantahan contest where I was the champion. George Canseco was the chairman of the board of judges and it was there where he discovered me.”
8. I Have You — “This song gave me a chance to sing with Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during Richard Carpenter’s courtesy call on Malacañang. Richard accompanied PGMA and I on the piano.”
9. Killing Me Softly — “Roberta Flack, who originally sang this song, was impressed when she heard me sing it.”
10. Sa Pagdating ng Pasko — “I cry everytime I hear it. It’s composed by Jimmy Borja and included in my album.”
11. Standing Alone — “It’s the first original composition my son Rafael presented to me. I actually realized that he has the talent.”
12. Mona Lisa — “My friends said bagay daw sa akin ang song na ’to because the men just lie there, and they die there. Hahahaha!”
13. Nangingiti Ang Puso Ko — “It made me popular among the Chinese.” (Claire is half-Chinese. — RFL)
14. If I Dream Without You — “I’m proud of this song because it’s the first ever composition of my son Rafael to be recorded — and to think that he teamed up with Pamela Phillips Oland, the Grammy-nominated lyricist and songwriter who wrote the lyrics of Something In Your Eyes.”
15. All is Fair in Love — “The first song I fell in love with. I was then in high school and I could relate to this song. It’s so true-to-life.”
16. Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw — “After my husband died, I made everyone cry while listening to me singing this song.”
17. God Will Make a Way — “It gave me strength when I was feeling low and made me realize that God would never abandon me. It was just a matter of time before God restored me.”
18. The Moon Represents My Heart (a Chinese song) — “It’s meaningful, very inspiring.”
19. It’s Raining Men — “Wala lang; joke lang. Wish ko lang na umulan ng men. Hehehehe!”
20. Lately — “My husband’s favorite song. He loved my voice when I sang it so he always asked me to sing it.”
21. Yesterday I Heard the Rain — “Masyadong madamdamin. It makes me cry at times.”
22. You and I (by Petula Clark) — “It goes like this...You and I will travel far together; we’ll pursue our little star together. We’ll be happy as we are together...And then, till the time we have is gone forever. Wow, ang sakit-sakit because my husband and I did that but now it’s gone forever.”
23. You (by The Carpenters) — “This is a song for God and everybody. That’s how I feel about this song. God, my friends, my family, my fans, my supporters and my audience — they are the ones who are making me happy.”
24. Together Forever (by Rick Astley) — “I wanted life to always be this way...for everybody whom I care for to be with me forever.”
25. I’ll Be Home For Christmas — “The first song I recorded with Rafael. As a mother, I’m proud that I saw the day when my own flesh and blood is singing with me.”
26. It’s Impossible — “My husband used to tell me that it’s impossible for him to let me go, with matching tears pa.”
27. Sway — “With this song, I was finally able to dance.”
28. Kahit Ilang Pasko — “I’m proud and grateful to the great composer Cecile Azarcon for letting me record it — the first ever Christmas song she composed in the 29 years she has been writing songs.”
29. Yesterday Once More —”I sang this song composed by Richard Carpenter when I visited him at his home in California —- at siya pa ang nag-accompany sa akin sa piano, ha!”
30. Mary’s Boy Child — “I love the way I interpret this song and how I sound on it.”
(Note: The Claire dela Fuente, Timeless concert is produced by Viva Concerts & Events. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999, Music Museum at 721-6726 or Viva Concerts & Events at 687-6181 locals 650 and 745.)
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)