Newcomer Nathan Randal honors dad through music

MANILA, Philippines — Parents teach children life skills and important values in navigating the present and the future. They also help the young ones to appreciate the arts and discover creative potential and an eventual path.

Fast-rising artist Nathan Randal attributes his appreciation and love for music to his dad, an American. Nathan has appeared in various concerts and in shows such as “Project Loki” and “Mutya ng Section E.”

He will also have a special Father’s Day concert titled “Love Songs for My Father,” with Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon and Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma on June 27, 7:30 p.m. at the Hacienda Isabella.

“For as long as I live, music has always been the pinnacle thing for family,” said he in a virtual chat with this paper. “It’s what connected me and my father.”

“As Filipinos, we really love the karaoke and we love hanging out every night. If there’s a birthday (party) or there’s a celebration, you’ll never gonna miss your uncle singing or some of your aunties singing,” added he. “So, you really related to that kind of connection regarding music, and with my dad, he really loved music, especially at the time when he was in the army.”

Music also became his father’s companion, from being far from his home and away from his family.

And when he got back to the country, Nathan’s dad was excited and thrilled to share the songs he had discovered while working abroad.

“So, as soon as he got back, he was like, ‘Check out this song. I have been listening to this. This is a funny song,’” recalled Nathan. “My dad really loves to tell stories about the songs. He loves songs that are more on the storytelling (side), more (about) the feeling, the drama, the rich tones, the soulfulness of the songs, and the powerful melodies. So, that’s what kinda influenced me into prospering into that kind of music.”

His publicity team shares that Nathan’s dad “introduced him to artists like Engelbert Humperdinck, Josh Turner (and) Tom Jones” and that was how he gravitated toward what Nathan considers and calls “classic songs.”

It’s safe to say that his father gave the artist the foundation that somehow ignited his enthusiasm and desire in pursuing a career in singing and performing.

Prior to his entry into mainstream entertainment, Nathan appeared in “Martin sa Golgotta,” a senakulo (play) reenactment of the life of Jesus Christ, in 2019, directed by veteran actor Lou Veloso.

As a kid, he was interested in musical theater and watching theater productions like “The Phantom of the Opera.”

“That’s what got me into singing and into acting as well. So, that’s what inspired me into the acting side,” said he.

Asked what keeps him busy these days, Nathan said, “So far, I’ve been guesting in concerts, and I did this little acting series that Viva blessed me with, ‘Project Loki’ and ‘Ang Mutya ng Section E.’ It’s (the former) on TV5 now, and it’s such an amazing opportunity to be on the very first episode for ‘Project Loki.’”

He described his character as a main villain, and he enjoyed essaying the role.

“Every episode is (and offers) a different story,” shared he. “There’s a different problem that needs to be solved. I enjoyed (the experience).”

Aside from acting, Nathan carries on to pursue his singing and performing. Proof of it is again the forthcoming showcase, “Love Songs for My Father,” with Kuh.

For details on the concert such as tickets, please call 0960-8850288 or 0920-2868895.