Chad: The wonders of saying no

Singer Chad Borja today is a changed person. Not only does he look better, but he also sounds better. Years of suffering from the debilitating cancer of the thyroid have taught him lessons in humility, discipline, regard for others and a desire to share his.

 After having touched base with him at Merk’s Place where he appeared in the pink of health, he handed us a CD where he wrote a dedication “Life is Beautiful.” After a few minutes, he took a look at his watch and told us he was going home. It was early by our standards, way before midnight. We told him we should meet up again and this came recently at the Chef and Brewer in Pasig.        

The last time we had seen Chad performing was during 80289 at the Music Museum in November 2011. The show featured ’80s musical talents Lou Bonnevie who also produced the concert, Gino Padilla, Jamie Rivera, Ella May Saison, Juan Miguel Salvador and Chad who was making a comeback after a most painful bout with the cancer. The three-night concert had Toto Gentica as music and artistic director.

Chad had started his career in the ‘80s as a vocalist of The New Minstrels, Zee, Counterpoint and at least four other bands. He missed music so much that after being given the go-signal by his doctor, he left Davao for Manila, flying home to Davao to visit his family when free.

We asked him about his childhood which he appeared open to share with us, including its painful aspects. Chad grew up in Cebu to a simple family where his father worked and his mom stayed home to attend to the children. They were seven children and Chad was second to the youngest. He was 12 years old when his father died and they were so poor he had to help earn money. It was only Chad and the youngest who were left with their mother. Chad recalled that he would wash vehicles until evening for P5 per jeepney to help out.

When he eventually found his way to the limelight, he remembered all these. We wondered if the popularity got into his head. While admitting he was not a squeaky-clean good boy, Chad said the one thing he stayed away from was drugs. Also, he stressed, “I could have been richer from all the offers dangled my way,” but he knew he would inevitably be sorry in the long run.

Now that he is back doing what he feels he is best at, Chad is grateful for the blessings. Apparently, his kind of cancer was a most delicate kind where at the hands of a less experienced surgeon, it could have resulted in him losing his voice. He follows all his do’s and don’t’s like avoiding stress, going home early, getting enough sleep, taking his medicine religiously as scheduled three times a day.

Eager to get back into action, the first thing Chad did was gather material from friends and produced his first album. Titled Chad Borja  — Ikaw Lang, Sa Habang Buhay, it consists of five original songs with their minus ones. Songs are Mahal na Kita & Babe I Love You by Vehnee Saturno; Ikaw lang sa Habang Buhay & Kahapon, Ngayon, at Bukas by Jimmy Borja; and Yakap composed by AMB Jr. with lyrics by George Canseco. Musical director is the internationally renowned Yutaka Yokokura. Others lending their gifts are Jun de Leon, Joseph de Vera, Jing Monis, Angee Rozul and Nikki Cunanan. It is licensed and distributed by Viva Records.

 We love the ballad Babe I Love You, where the chorus goes, “Oh Babe I Love You Wala na Ngang Iba, Dito sa Puso Ko ay Tunay kang Nagiisa, Habang buhay Ko Ikaw ang Iibigin, Sana sa Akin ay Gano’n ka Rin.”

Right after his doctor gave him the go-signal to work, Chad accepted an invitation to perform with a band in Singapore. “We would perform 40 to 45 songs in one set and I wouldn’t get tired. That’s when I knew that I had already been healed.”

Still, he doesn’t forget to guard his health, recalling one experience when he mistakenly checked in his medicine with his luggage. He missed the schedule of one dosage and suffered intolerable pain and couldn’t walk for days. Now we understand why he exited early from Merk’s that evening.

“I just want to be busy,” he mused, saying he has performed with a band at the popular 19 East Bar in Sucat, Parañaque. He is also seen regularly at the Resorts World Newport Plaza with a new group call “Hitmen.” With him are Rannie Raymundo, Richard Reynoso, Renz Verano. He has been invited as interpreter to the UNTV Song of Praise competition. He is also preparing for the Greatest Hits Reunion Concert of the Circus Band and New Minstrels on Sept.  20 at the PICC Plenary Hall. This would be his biggest concert with repeats in Baguio and Cebu. Participating are Basil Valdez, Hajji Alejandro, Jacqui Magno, Pat Castillo, Tillie Moreno representing Circus Band and for the New Minstrels are Chad, Ding Mercado, Eugene Villaluz, Joey Albert, Louie Reyes and Ray An Fuentes.

The good life is opening once again to Chad. It has come from the lessons learned from having survived  cancer. “Apart from the discipline,” he says, “the one good thing I learned from getting sick is to say no.”

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