Introducing Lou Prince from The Netherlands

When we met Laura Fygi (who had a concert at the huge 500-seater Fairmont-Raffles Hotel in Makati last Monday), we felt that given the possibility and her availability, a repeat in Manila or Cebu would be a cinch. There is really nothing like meeting artists up close to feel what they can do and how they would connect with the audience. Without even having seen her perform, Laura comes across as such an artist who has that connection.

Upon meeting the press, she recalls having visited the Philippines 18 years ago, finding the country chaotic and very much alive with love for music, and remembers appearing in Singapore in the musical Victor/Victoria with Jake Macapagal as her leading man. Among the cast, we had known Richard Merk and Jacqui Magno for a long time, and Jeannie Tiongco with Henry Katindig we were meeting for the first time. Jeannie, daughter of the amazing Tiongco Brothers trio, is apparently married to Henry, son of Eddie Katindig, and the show’s musical director so they couldn’t escape the great musical heritage.

Then, we got an unexpected bonanza! A performer who had just planed in from The Netherlands known as Lou Prince was announced as joining the second dinner concert at Wil’s Events Place tomorrow, June 27.

Catching Prince being interviewed by Richard who has made such a big comeback from near retirement with radio, television, live performances etc., we listened in on their conversation being taped. Prince apparently is such a popular performer in Europe, parts of the USA, but had never been to the Philippines. Since residing in The Netherlands for 25 years, Prince met Dr. George Sakinis, a Dutchman married to Filipino Becky Garcia known far and wide as the dance sport advocate. We had met and watched George who loves singing, and held a concert at the old Merk’s Bar. The couple have been instrumental in bringing Lou Prince to the attention of the Merks, who invited him over. 

For Richard’s taping, he had given a sampling of Dahil sa Iyo in perfect pronunciation with no tinge of foreign accent or twang. This made us wonder where this dark-skinned singer came from. He told us he was born and grew up in the Netherland Antilles, a group of islands including Aruba, Bonaire, Saba, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatious and Curacao which belonged to the Dutch. Curacao is Prince’s hometown and he told us he made a point of visiting his homeland yearly to perform for them and bond with old friends.

From Curacao, he gave us a sampling of a song composed by a legendary performer Macario Prudencia titled Leu fo’l Kas (Far Away From Home). We prodded him further to sing a song he himself had composed in Curacao language and he gave us Dushi. 

After almost 25 years in performing before various audiences, Prince has received many awards including a first from the USA. However, the one he is proudest of is the first Annual Tribute Artist Award given him for two numbers Lady Love and See You When I Get There. Occasion was a tribute to Lou Rawls whom Prince admits has been his inspiration. The late Rawls was a well-admired American recording artist, songwriter, record producer. He was known for his smooth vocal style. Frank Sinatra said of Rawls that he possessed “the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game.”

Prince is obviously excited about guesting in tomorrow’s concert, meeting Filipinos he had heard so much about but never met, and is happy that his normally heavy schedule gave him this great opportunity. We wondered if he had appeared in the movies like his idol Rawls. All we are certain of is after the Philippines, life for Prince will never be the same again.

Tomorrow’s Laura Fygi topbiller will be at Wil’s Events Place in Quezon City, under the auspices of Radio High 105.9 and Merks Place. Prince will give the audience a taste of his songs at 7 p.m. The main Laura Fygi concert starts promptly at 8 p.m. See you all there!

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