Simon Wood: Truly his father's son

Listen to any of the 12 songs, especially Luluha Ka Rin (a.k.a. Malupit Na Pag-ibig) on his eponymous debut album released by Viva Records and you will detect a distinct Victor Wood-ish quality in his voice. After all, Simon Wood has taken after his father, the once and always Jukebox King.

“That song is an original Victor Wood and I wanted it included as my good-luck charm, specially-rearranged to suit my key,” said Simon.

Pangarap Ko Natupad Sa ‘Yo is Simon’s original composition while the 10 others are covers (remakes): Love Will Keep Us Alive, Everything I Own (by Bread), Pangako, What Am I Living For (Eddie Peregrina), How Can I Tell Her, Don’t Fade Away, Wonderful Tonight, Every Breath You Take, Muntik Nang Maabot Ang Langit and Next In Line.

Viva boss Vic del Rosario Jr. believes in Simon’s potential so much that he’s determined to make him the next pop idol. Vic can spot star material when he sees one.

Recalled Vic, “When I was with Vicor Records, one of our top three biggest-selling singers in the Philippines was Victor Wood who recorded less than 20 albums. Simon has some ‘shades’ of Victor but basically he’s original in every way. Mas pop lang si Simon. He’s the same as Victor in the sense that pareho silang may emosyon when they sing. That’s why I’m excited to launch him. After Sarah Geronimo (also with the Viva Group of Companies), I think Simon is the next hot male singer.”

Simon, 21, is one of Victor’s two children with his second wife, Ofelia Mercado Ponce.The other is Sydney Victoria who is more interested in fashion designing and will study in London.

“My dad helped me choose the songs for my album,” said Simon who, like Sydney, was born and raised in the US. “He always tells me, ‘It’s not just singing a song because anybody can sing a song. What’s important is for you to connect to people and make them feel how you feel while singing.’ I always keep that in mind.”

Simon was 12 when he came and stayed for good. He finished high school here and college (Accounting and Management), too.

“I’m close to my dad; we do projects together. I help him run his Noble Studio which is named after my dad (Victor Nobleza in real life).”

Told that Victor was a magnet for women in his younger years, Simon laughed a bit.

“Yes, I know. He tells me about that. He just reminds me to take it easy, ‘Don’t be too serious; life is short. Enjoy yourself and find the right girl.’ I know all of dad’s secrets,” Simon added, still with a laugh. “He hides nothing from me. In the States, we were just an ordinary family. He would bring us to school; we traveled around the US in his car. I’m always with him in his concerts in the US and here.”

Simon said he was eight years old when he realized that his dad was a big star.

“I was at his concert in L.A. and there were a lot of fans, screaming. That was when I knew that he was somebody. The first song of my dad’s that I learned to sing was Sweet Caroline. Dad inspired and encouraged me to be a singer.”

Aside from his dad, Simon’s other musical influences are Bread (“That’s why I included one Bread song in my album”), local artists like Mike Hanopol and Freddie Aguilar (“Whose songs were introduced to me by my dad”) and country-music singers.

“But my taste in music is different from that of my dad. I like rock. My dad is also spiritual but I’m far spiritually deeper than he is. I read The Bible regularly. My dad paints; I don’t.”

Asked if he can equal, if not surpass, his dad’s record as a singer, Simon said, “It’s a big challenge. I’ll do my best.”

Boss Vic has big plans for Simon.

In June, Simon will do back-to-back shows in 13 cities around the country with Sarah Geronimo who is currently on a US concert tour.

“I’m confident that Simon will be a big star,” repeated Boss Vic.

Listen to Simon’s album and you will know why Boss Vic believes so.

I played the CD and I agree with Boss Vic.

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