Sweet, bubbly Triz

There is an appealing new song in the airlanes that has the makings of a future classic. It is titled Isang Simpleng Kanta and it is a composition by Jimmy Borja. A prolific songwriter now based in the US, Jimmy did songs for the likes of Lani Misalucha, Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin and Ariel Rivera, Sana Ngayong Pasko.

Although he is now based in Nashville and trying his luck in country music, Jimmy continues to write songs for local artists. A recent work is Dahil Minahal Mo Ako by Sarah Geronimo. Another is Isang Simpleng Kanta by new artist Triz Reyes. As the title says, it is a simple song. So are the lyrics but the message calls for unity for all men and is most timely for everyone.

Adding to the song’s appeal is Triz’s clear singing voice. She is only 16 and eager to succeed and performs Isang Simpleng Kanta, with the conviction of somebody who can still believe that a beautiful song can change the world. Look at the lyrics.

“Isang simpleng kanta, mula sa puso ko/ isang simpleng awitin/ para lang sa ‘yo/ ito’y nasulat ko/ sana’y pakinggan mo/ kahit simple lamang/ ito ay totoo/ Pangarap ba’y matutupad/ ang diwa ay lumilipad/ ang tunay na kapayapaan/ sa mundo’y makakamtan

Mahina man ang umpisa/ kung ang titik ay kakaiba/ ang ating mga tinig kung magkaisa/ uugong sa buong daigdig/ ang isang simpleng kanta/ ang tangi kong hiling/ sana ay dinggin/ isang simpleng awitin/ sa inyo’y naglalambing/ Mga kalat ng pag-ibig/ ang dahas ay tuldukan/ pagdamay sa iyong kapwa/ ay laging tandaan/ pangarap ay matutupad...”

Triz, who has Kapampangan roots, was born and raised in California. She started singing when she was only three and thanks to a heartfelt rendition of Wind Beneath My Wings, handily won her first contest at age eight. By the time she bagged the grand prize at the Pinoy Pop Superstar Kid Competition two years ago, Triz knew singing was what she was meant to do.

Triz got excellent training for this career when she was accepted to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, which counts Josh Groban, Anna Marie Perez de Tagle and Corbin Bleue of High School Musical among its graduates. She also started making the rounds of the audition circuit. Fate intervened when she met producer Christian De Walden. The guy responsible for hits of Sarah, Rachelle Ann Go and Claire dela Fuente, liked what he heard from Triz and decided to produce her debut album.

The resulting CD is also titled Isang Simpleng Kanta and like Triz, it is sweet, bubbly and full of hope for a happy future. It was released last week by Viva Records and already getting very positive reactions from listeners. These made Triz even more determined to succeed but elsewhere. To the surprise of many, she ditched her L.A. high school and relocated to the Philippines, where she now hopes to truly make it big.

Isang Simpleng Kanta also includes I Believe, Pagdating Ng Araw, Wrong Again, Just My Type, A Boy Like You, All I Have Are Dreams, The Go-Between, Kiss Goodbye, The Wind Will Carry Us Away, I Can’t Tell and It’s My Celebration.

MYX’s weekly top videos

From MYX, here are the top videos of the present week. Dahil Minahal Mo Ako by Sarah; You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift; Bahay Kubo by Hale; Paparazzi by Lady Gaga; Ignorance by Paramore; Hiling by Silent Sanctuary; Here We Go Again by Demi Lovato; Fly With Me by the Jonas Brothers; Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson; I Don’t Care by 2NE1;

Obsessed by Mariah Carey; Touch My Hand by David Archuleta; 21 Guns by Green Day; Radar by Britney Spears; Nobody by the Wonder Girls; Simulan Mo Na by Pedicab; Human Nature by Billy Crawford; Sweet Dreams by Beyoncé; You And I by Richard Poon; and Love Drunk by Boys Like Girls.

As for radio airplay, the reigning stars of the moment are those K-pop kids, the Wonder Girls of Seoul with their infectious tune, Nobody. Also heard everywhere nowadays are Love Drunk by Boys Love Girls; Upuan by Gloc-9 featuring Zelle; Ignorance by Paramore; Already Gone by Kelly Clarkson; I’ll Go Crazy by U2; Paparazzi by Lady Gaga; Bahay Kubo by Hale; And I Love You So by Sam Milby; and You Belong With Me by Taylor Swift.