Kuh Ledesma to hold a virtual Christmas show like no other

Her name is synonymous to iconic and inspirational musical performances. Kuh Ledesma never falters to meet the personal standards she has set for herself, as seen from the audiences’ standpoint.

Time and again, the Pop Diva would enter the stage, dressed in stunning outfits and with that calm and collected stance of a veteran, and enthrall all with her singing. That’s a lingering image of her etched in music fans’ minds.

That’s the pre-pandemic scene, where the featured artist and the enthusiastic public would gather in a music hall or a state-of the-art theater to collectively enjoy the entertaining and empowering nature of music.

Adapting to the new normal, Kuh sets her first-ever full online concert titled KUHL Hits + More tomorrow, Dec. 25, at 8 p.m. via ktx.ph. Given her stature, she will leave no stone unturned to deliver a Christmas show like no other. Once the virtual curtains are up, everybody, watching from the comfort of their home, will be greeted by Kuh’s signature image above.

“Akala ko nga simple lang yung magiging palabas namin,” disclosed the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon of the kind of work that the virtual presentation entailed as compared to the in-person one, in a one-on-one with The STAR and done days before showtime. “But now, nakakalimang araw na kami na shooting (we’ve been shooting segments for five days) kasi gusto namin talagang pagandahin.”

Part of the production nitty-gritty was the need to bring the musicians and the sound people, who were in charge of recording and mixing sounds, to the location, where they shot key parts of the show. As for the show’s mood and ambiance, the singer-actress said that everything will be done “in a very fun way and also in a very light way.”

KUHL Hits + More, the online Christmas presentation, is also a new territory to Kuh since she has staged more Valentine concerts than Christmas shows. Before the pandemic, she headlined Diva2DiValentines with Zsa Zsa Padilla, if memory serves.

“But still I’m hoping that this (coming new) year, I will be able to do a Valentine show na live,” said she. “Kasi nakaka-miss talaga.”

Since Kuh and her team will be virtually bringing the show to people’s homes, she considered it a special opportunity because “I will be able to sing to the people (even done in a) virtual (way) but it will be in the privacy of their homes.”

Aside from the entertainment part, KUHL Hits + More also comes with an advocacy. That’s to help the singer’s session musicians, who are displaced by the pandemic, financially and start a new beginning in the new year. Part of the show’s proceeds will also go to The Holy Bible Giver Foundation, Inc.

“That is really the objective, kasi kung hindi, I don’t think I would be putting up a concert,” said the singer, who, in some way, reminds everyone that Christmas is a perfect occasion to count their blessings and share some with those who are in need.

“Christmas is also a very powerful time to do a message in between songs and all that kasi talagang Christmas is the best event in our lives,” said Kuh. “That’s why all the world… they also celebrate it because there’s really a spirit behind it that makes people have the joy of giving and celebrating. It’s a very special time of the year.”

Sharing the virtual screen with Kuh is her singer-songwriter daughter Isabella, with the participation of children from the artist’s hacienda.

“They are the kids of our workers here because they’re really part of my family already,” said she. “They’re very familiar with me, araw-araw na nakikita ko sila. I told them, ‘Put on your own best clothes and you’re gonna be part of my special.’ So, it was just one part but they were very happy and excited to be a part of it.”

Given the number of albums she has recorded and songs (originals and covers) she has performed, Kuh had an easy-breezy time curating the repertoire for KUHL Hits + More. As the title suggests, she will sing her signature songs and hits of other artists.

“There’s one that I’m doing All The Things You Are,” shared she, “Somewhere and then, I also did a song of Ed Sheeran’s Perfect, pero ginawang gospel… ang ganda. It talks about Jesus.”

What else can the public look forward to in the show? Kuh’s team answered by providing this piece of information. KUHL Hits + More will showcase the artists’ songs, described as timeless and eternal, and treat audiences to a trip down memory lane. It evokes feelings of joy, love lost, love found, unrequited love and even love for country through the works of different composers.

Audiences can even join Kuh in singing songs such as Bulaklak, Dito Ba, Hello, I Think I’m in Love, One More Try, Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan and Till I Met You.

Although she has already reached the success every recording artist aspires to achieve, Kuh will never rest on her laurels. “I still, of course, want to continue singing other songs,” said she. “When I hear a song on the radio or on YouTube or whatever it is, and it inspires me, it really makes me want to sing it. I look for songs that are very meaningful and I want to bring that message across to the audience.”

Kuh is also committed to nurture the talent God has given her. “Sabi nang Diyos ayaw Niya na binabaon natin yung ating talent. He wants us to use it for His glory,” shared she. “The real glory there is that, we will be able to send out messages through inspirational songs, basically gospel songs, inspirational songs that can really trigger goodness in people’s heart, (that) can move people to do good.”

Speaking of talent, she is also open to the idea of mentoring up-and-coming artists and trying her hand at making movies one day. “To help people understand about marriage,” said Kuh of her intention behind the latter’s endeavor. “I’m now a marriage counselor and I want to be able to do something powerful through a movie to help people stay together. But I still have many things to do in the years to come, ang dami pa, kasi Diyos ang ating pinaglilingkuran. So, He gives us the ideas and dreams and He makes (them) possible for us. Nothing is impossible with Him.”

(For ticket inquiries, go to https://www.ktx.ph/category/kuhl-hits-more or call 0920-2868895 and 0917-8139065.)