Fil-Am duo here to launch debut CD

When they were kids, AJ Tabaldo and Bernie Ann were together in the same shows but they never knew it, not until two years ago when they became a duo.

“I was about 12 when I front-acted for shows of Filipino artists, like Judy Ann Santos and Gabby Concepcion, performing in the US,” recalled AJ, 24.

“I was in those shows, too,” said Bernie, 20, who also shared the stage with other Filipino artists including Christopher de Leon, Piolo Pascual, Vina Morales, Sam Milby, Rica Peralejo and Ogie Alcasid.

A quarter Portuguese (father side) and three-quarter Filipino (mother side), AJ realized that singing was his passion when he was five years old. After auditioning for the fifth time, he finally made it to American Idol (Season 6, won by Jordin Sparks) from an initial 100,000 hopefuls, chosen for the show’s Top 24 by judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

“I sang Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much and Michael Bublé’s Feelin’ Good,” said AJ who finished one of the 16 semi-finalists. “I lost but I felt like a winner. Being in AI was a great experience.”

After AI, AJ has performed in the shows of, among others, Boyz II Men, apl.de.ap (Allan Pineda) of Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift and Colby O’donis, plus Manny Pacquiao and fellow AI graduates Jasmine Trias and Ramiele Malubay.

A full Filipino, Bernie (full name: Bernadette Estiandan) could have joined, too, but she abstained due to what was perceived as “unfair” competition. Like AJ, she was born and raised in California.

“Kasi daw I had been singing since I was a kid,” said Bernie who speaks Filipino without an American twang. “Even in school, they wouldn’t let me join singing competitions. I was only seven when I won my first contest. They thought I was cheating in a talent show. Sabi nila, I should give others daw a chance.”

Together, they make beautiful music as proven by their debut album titled Isang Katulad Mo, released by Universal Records. The carrier single, plus two other OPMs (Isang Muli and Kung Di Man Ngayon), were composed by Vehnee Saturno. The rest of the selections are all original (Make Me Laugh, Make Me Cry; Brand New Start; Still I Miss You; Life of the Party; Falling for a Friend; They Can Tell Me; and Still in Love).

AJ is a first-timer in the Philippines while Bernie has been coming and going, finally deciding to stay and cross-enrolling for one semester in B.S. Biology in Ateneo as part of her pre-med studies back in the US.

“I’ve always wanted to come,” said AJ. “If all goes well, I’m going to stay.”

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