Sabrina gets superstar treatment in Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines - Some local artists have tried to penetrate the Southeast Asia market, especially Indonesia. But so far, only two can claim to have really made it there — one is balladeer Christian Bautista and the other one is acoustic singer Sabrina.

Now dubbed as Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart, Sabrina recently conquered Indonesia again via a special showcase at Supermal Karawaci in Jakarta last March 24. According to MCA Music’s ad and promo manager Grace Foronda, Sabrina got a “superstar” treatment, the way foreign artists are treated in the Philippines. Billboards of Sabrina can be seen all over Jakarta as well as the venue.

“So many people came up to see her show proving she is such a big star in Indonesia,” Foronda said. “It was also nice to see them singing along to her songs.”

Mid-way to the show, Sabrina was surprised by Universal Music Indonesia with a Platinum Award for her latest album I Love Acoustic 4 presented by its head of promotion Perry Parikesit.

“I was very honored to have been presented the Platinum Award and I was grateful that it was done in Indonesia. That way, I was able to personally dedicate the award to the Sabrinatics who were the reason behind that award,” Sabrina said.

She gladly signed autographs for album buyers after the show. But some fans as far away from the capital city of Jakarta flocked to her hotel just to see her.

“Sabrina gamely accommodated the fans and bonded with them despite her very hectic schedule,” Foronda said.

Before the show, Sabrina guested at top radio stations Mustang FM and U FM where she was asked questions ranging from her music to “if she wants to live in Indonesia.” She also performed her latest single Moves Like Jagger in Indonesia’s No. 1 variety show Dahsyat where after her appearance her Twitter followers shot up from 6,000 to 10,000.

First time she was in Indonesia was in 2011 for Kampeong Jazz Music Festival in Bandung followed by a promo for I Love Acoustic 3 in Jakarta which also turned Platinum there then shows at the city of Semarang.

Aside from I Love Acoustic 3 and I Love Acoustic 4, all of Sabrina’s previous albums from the I Love Acoustic series have reached Gold and Platinum success in Southeast Asia. Her first and second albums I Love Acoustic and I Love Acoustic Too were Gold in Singapore and Thailand and Double Platinum in Indonesia while I Love Acoustic 3 is also Gold in Singapore and Thailand. The albums also came out in Malaysia and one of her singles was included in a compilation album released all over Asia.

Sabrina was well-liked by the Indonesians that another show will be scheduled this year in time for her new album which will also be available in Southeast Asia.

“They even requested her to record a song in Bahasa Indonesia,” Foronda added.