A singing sensation straight from Canada

American Idol (AI) is not the only singing competition wherein we can expect to find a Pinoy, albeit a transplanted one, given an opportunity to win the title. There are also Filipinos who have made Canada their home and like all Canadians, they are qualified to join Canadian Idol. I recall that the first edition had Elena Juatco from Vancouver. She did very well and was only four weeks short of the finals when she got booted out. Another one is recent Manila visitor Mikey Bustos who made it to eighth place. 

A few months ago, I met the third one, Martha Joy Lim-Fuiza. She didn’t win the competition and made it only to eighth place. That does not mean though that she set no important mark in the contest. The 16 year old made Canadian Idol history when she became the youngest contestant to make it to the finals. Martha was born in Scarborough in Toronto, Ontario and is a lovely, statuesque mix of Filipino-Chinese and Portuguese parentage. She started singing as a child and had formal vocal lessons when her family realized she had great potential. The training set off a round of singing contests from where she would invariably bring home the grand prize.  

Amazed by her expressive style and truly extensive vocal range, the student from the Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts, was soon being booked for important singing stints. Among these were the international show at the Global Peace Initiative in Geneva, performing the Canadian National Anthem at games featuring the Toronto Raptors and her very own solo concert where she did 22 songs in various styles, including opera and in several languages and other engagements. It was in one of these that Martha Joy met the legendary Pilita Corrales who lost no time in getting the girl to Manila and giving her career here a headstart.

Martha Joy is now signed with Viva Entertainment and is a regular on GMA 7’s S.O.P. She has also released her very first album for Viva Records. Titled simply Martha Joy, it was produced by Christian de Walden of Hollywood, the same guy who has created hits for Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go, Donna Cruz and even Rico Puno. Made up entirely of new originals, the CD is an appealing showcase for Martha Joy’s versatility. She does ballads and uptempo songs equally well.  

 The first single out is Dumating Ka, a composition by Jimmy Borja. My favorites though are Holding On to a Dream a soulful duet featuring another singing contest discovery, Jimmy Marquez and The Right Moment, a song with which she could have gone on to win the Canadian Idol title had she been able to sing it there. The other cuts are Only My Heart, Broken, I Love the Sunshine, That’s How It Has to Be, All of a Sudden, Pagka’t Mahal Pa Rin Kita, This Special Night, Just Exactly Like We Planned, Maybe, Nothing More To Say, Do You Think of Me and Laging Ikaw.

A century of great music

Speaking of great voices, here is good news from the Philippine Madrigal Singers. In celebration of music and its impact on the human spirit, the Philippine Madrigal Singers have worked with choirs from all walks of life through the Madz Et Al network since 1981. This year, the Madz recognizes the influence of the Classical and Romantic periods of music with MDCCL- MDCCCL (1750-1850), a musical festival showcasing a century of great music.

The festival runs from May 10 to 16 at Philamlife theater, UN Ave., Manila. Beginning at 7 p.m., it will feature various choirs all over the Philippines with a former Madz at the helm. Kicking off the event on May 10 will be The Tala Choir (Oscar Pantaleon Jr.), Coro de San Sebastian (Marivic Llamas), AUP Celestial Echoes (Warlito Yalung), Shrine of Jesus Children’s Choir (Mary Louise Macanaya-Alcantara), St. Paul College Pasig Music Appreciation Club (Sheila Fetalvero), Singles For Christ Chorale (Rivah Ann Singson) and Virlanie Children’s Choir (Malou Hermo). Set for May 11 are Our Lady Of Pillar Cathedral Choir (Oscar Pantaleon Jr.), Philippine Teselonica Chorale (Elsie Eranista), Magsaysay Chorale (Joel Aquino), Anima Christi (Joel Boragay), Chorus Dei (Jon Lumba) and the Accenture Chorale (John Vergara)

For details, call 0917-8442674.