Sabrina writes song for 2 people she loves most

I agree with Manila Standard’s Isah Red when she told Sabrina that she should use Pan-Asia Diva as “title,” in addition to her being described by her home company (MCA Music, Inc.) as “Asia’s Acoustic Sweetheart.”

It’s because Sabrina is ironically very popular in other Asian countries (Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Korea and Singapore) than she is in her homeland, although a lot of Filipino music lovers are probably aware of her acoustic songs that have spun off several albums, the latest being I Love Acoustic 6 also released by MCA Music.

You didn’t know that Sabrina’s albums have sold more than 200,000 copies all over Asia, did you?

Her new album carries Paraiso, an original composed by Sabrina herself, the second original to be included in her album.

“I wrote that song for two people that I love most,” confessed Sabrina (who was advised not to use a surname, never mind if there was a one-name bold star). “One is my mom who is having a hard time coping with menopause and the other is my boyfriend, Cedric (Ongkingko, a businessman), who is a bit sad after he failed twice in the nursing board exam. Actually, I want to share that song with the rest of the world and dedicate it to everyone who is in the darkest place of their lives. I should know. I’ve been in that place, other people that I love have also been there. With that song, I give them all a big bear-hug.”

Sabrina, 24, and Cedric, 25, have been going steady for several years but they don’t plan to get married yet. “Maybe when I am 37,” joked Sabrina who is also from Davao like Cedric.

A fun person whose speaking voice is as musical and as soothing as her singing voice, Sabrina is now in a bright place savoring every moment of her in Asian cities and, hopefully, in her home country.

Asked about audience reaction in different Asian countries, Sabrina said, “Singaporeans are prim and proper, although they can be enthusiastic during the meet-and-greet. Like Filipinos, Indonesians are very expressive; they scream if they have to during a concert and I love it.”

For her new Acoustic album, Sabrina collaborated with Thai artists King Pichet and Oil Kunjira (from The Voice of Thailand and The Voice Kids Thailand) for the songs Treasure (originally by Bruno Mars) and We Can’t Stop (orginally by Miley Cyrus) respectively which are included as bonus tracks. Besides the single Almost Is Never Enough (featuring Myk Perez from The Voice of the Philippines) and Roar (originally by Katy Perry), the other selections are: Royals (Lorde), Wrecking Ball (also by Cyrus), Best Song Ever (One Direction), Blurred Lines (Robin Thicke), If I Lose Myself (OneRepublic), 22 (Taylor Swift), Clarity (Zedd), Just Give Me A Reason (Pink feat. Nate Ruess), Titanium (David Guetta feat. Sia) and When I Was Your Man (also by Mars).

The good news is that Richard Marx’s new album (also released by MCA Music) features a new duo recording of This I Promise You with Sabrina who held an SRO Valentine concert at the Cascade Lounge of Hotel Mulia in Senayan, Jakarta. Her solo version of This I Promise You was a hit with the audience.

What’s up?

The Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. (AAFI) announced that it has a new president who replaces Junne Quintana whose term expired in December last year. Heading this year’s board is Alice Reyes who will serve as transition president until the election of the 2015-2016 board in December this year. According to Reyes, under the AAFI by-laws, its president is elected for one year with a possible reelection for another year.

Reelected were Brian Lu, first vice president; Frank Rivera, second vice president; Tess Tan, secretary; Francia Conrado, treasurer; Sonny Valencia, PRO; and trustees Dennis Aguilar, Leonardo Belen, Ofelia Cajigal, Sylvia Cruz, Efren Montano, Angelo Eloy Padua, Len Santos and Art Tapalla.

Founded in 1976 by a group of journalists headed by Reyes, the AAFI honors the country’s live entertainers, with this year’s event set for October.

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com.)