Enchong Dee takes break from acting to promote debut album

MANILA, Philippines - Enchong Dee has finally fulfilled one of his greatest dreams as he released his self-titled debut album.

“Five yeas old pa lang ako gustung-gusto ko na talagang kumanta,” Enchong said during the launch of the album on Thursday.“ Mas gusto ko 'to kaysa sa pagsayaw, mas gusto ko 'to kaysa sa pag-arte.”

The Kapamilyaa actor knows that people did not expect that he has a passion for singing since he started as an actor, which, he said, probably is the reason why Star Records took a while to give him the opportunity.

“Siguro lang kasi hindi rin nila akalain. Ang alam nila pag-arte lang, sasayaw lang,” he said.

He then relates how the idea of working on the album started.

“So nang nagmi-meeting kami para sa Chinito Problems, pumasok si sir Roxy [Liquigan] tapos tinanong niya, 'Bakit hindi ka na lang mag-album?'” he recalls.

“Pagkasabi ni Sir Roxy nasabi ko, 'Lord, maraming maraming salamat kasi gustung-gusto ko 'tong manggagaling sa inyo,' and it really happened.”

He's so excited with the project that he even composed a song for the album while promoting “Once a Princess” which is his reunion movie with Erich Gonzales.

“During that time, pinopromote namin 'yong Once a Princess. So doon ko siya kinuhang inspiration, 'yong 'Isip o Puso,'” he replied when asked how he worked on his original song.

“Kasi ang pinakauna kong na-compose na kanta about sa Pilipinas. Kaso medyo 'di bagay sa album. So sabi ko sige gagawa pa ako ng kanta. So in a matter of one hour nakagawa ako ng dalawang kanta.”

Aside from his original single, he also revived the song “Step No, Step Yes” by VST & Company. As a way of showing gratitude to the original performers of the song.  Enchong met with Joey de Leon for the revival of the song.

“Bago pumunta dito, nakipag-meet kami kay sir Joey de Leon, magpasalamat lang kasi nga pinayagan niya kaming i-modernize 'yong Step No, Step Yes,” he relates. He added that if given a chance, “kung mag-swak schedule namin, gusto ko rin po personal na magpasalamat kay sir Vic [Sotto].”

Despite his excitement and confidence over his debut album, Enchong is aware that a lot of people doubt his talent in singing.

“Siguro 'yon ang pinaka-importante, before maniwala sa iyo ang ibang tao, ikaw sa sarili mo maniwala ka sa sarili mo. Kasi paano sila maniniwala sa iyo kung ikaw mismo hindi naniniwala,” he said.