Start of somethin’ new with Danita Paner

Have you ever had those childhood acquain-tances that you used to play with back in the day? You know, the ones who you’re forced to mix and mingle with while your mom chatters away with her many amigas. Probably, too, the ones you interacted with at many a birthday party thrown for you by your folks — that is, the people you knew and the people they knew. All that mattered anyway was that there was a clown, a magician, a birthday cake designed with the current theme, and parlor games of all sorts to keep the celebrant perpetually preoccupied. Well, I’ve had a prudent share of these childhood acquaintances. Hailing from a family grounded in showbiz, politics and nth-degree connections, this acquaintance pool expanded on such a regular basis that I couldn’t help but lose track. Interestingly, though, in a society as small as ours, what happens exactly when you come across these childhood acquaintances once again?

It was not until the 2004 presidential elections that I saw one such figure from my past, all grown up from the pigtails and the ribbons that she used to sport. Danita Paner, the lil’ sister of Ate Tina, tagged along with her mom Tita Daisy Romualdez for a campaign meeting being held in our old Magnolia home. There she was on the phone with a friend, sitting on a couch across the room while my sister and I were seated on the other side. The normal course would have been to approach her and say "hi." But for some snooty, peculiar reason, my sister and I have always had this aversion to getting to know the kids of our family friends. Our very process of socialization would be impeded by a fear of awkwardness around the person or the desire to keep to ourselves. It must have been our play for exclusivity and normality that we had always wanted as kids. But then again, I think everyone goes through this process of having to entertain unexpected guests. Besides, if we had remained within our comfort zones, then we may never have experienced the funny and lovably amazing gal that is the Danita that I know today. So, summoning the temerity to break free from this habit of dismissing people for fear of the unknown, KC and I uttered our first hellos to our then-childhood acquaintance, now good friend Danita Paner. The rest, shall I say, was history.

A few weeks ago, I hustled to the Music Museum after my rehearsals for Hope for the Flowers to catch Danits, as I fondly call her, in her very first solo concert ever. She was someone who I had worked with a couple of times for some advertising stints during my boob tube days, and several performance breaks with DR Productions. Ever since I’ve known her, Danita has always possessed this sweet-sounding voice, which was further propelled by her grace and confidence onstage. In previous concerts, she would literally wow audiences with her soulful edge that generated enough heat to keep the vibe going. Hers was a talent that was nurtured by an inclination toward show business, as even Ate Tina herself was a successful actress-singer back in the day. Moreover, she possesses a comic wit and a light persona that makes every moment with Danita a gregarious and memorable laugh trip.

Upon arriving at the concert venue where many a pillar in the music industry has performed and sung, I was escorted by the usher to the very front row as Danita was preparing for her next song. Adrenaline levels were extremely high, and being just a few inches away from the stage led me to a position of simply taking in the surging energy being transmitted by the live band. Beside them was Danita, looking all glam-rock in a cute lil’ number that accentuated the lady that she has become over the years. It was amazing, having everyone and everything within my reach, as Danita rocked the house with a bunch of alternative tunes that exemplified her youth and spunkiness. From Start Me Up by the Rolling Stones to Everybody Hurts by R.E.M., she sang and belted like a seasoned performer — a sight that catalyzed a few thoughts within this curious writer. How awesome would it be to see Danita’s music video playing on the MYX Daily Top 10? Or how cool would it be to see her album being sold at Tower Records alongside Kyla’s and the Pussycat Dolls’? I’m sure that, however things unfold, it will be nothing short of terrific.

Moments later, Danita called out her first guest of the evening. It was Sam Milby, the Fil-Am housemate who used to appear on Pinoy Big Brother. Like Danita, he seems to have arrived on the entertainment scene – appearing in Bench billboards along EDSA and essaying roles in movies like Close to You. So when he came out from behind the curtain, it was no surprise that most everyone in the audience went wild. Along with Danits, Sam sang Creed’s My Sacrifice to everyone’s delight. It was really a sight for sore eyes, seeing Danita sing alongside Sam as he practically embodies the celebrity that most Filipinos can only dream of nowadays. It was due testament to how the former had achieved complete stardom. And Danita’s star is next to shine. Being inches away from the stage, things became even more surreal when my friend Mela got her picture taken with the model-singer.

Danita’s next guest for the evening was someone whose influence has really spread in the world of showbiz. We all know him from his starting days in Esperanza. And he has since joined The Hunks, released a solo album, appeared in countless movies, and nurtured a formidable love-team with Judy Ann Santos. It was Piolo Pascual in all his iconic stardom as he came out to sing with Danits on Don’t Dream It’s Over by Sixpence None the Richer (originally sung by Crowded House). Funnily, even she was star-struck by his celebrity and couldn’t help but get kilig on stage.

From Sam to Piolo, Danita’s guests just kept pouring in. Her debut concert also featured Monty from Mayonnaise, Tutti from Protein Shake, and Jeff from Soapdish — three vocalists who she jammed with in a spirited Pinoy rock medley. It seems that alternative rock is the genre in which Danita is going to establish herself as a singer. Although critics have said that it doesn’t quite match her wholesome, squeaky-clean image, Danita says, "It’s really all about the music. I’m not trying to pose myself as a rocker; rather, I’m sticking to what I love doing most, which is singing." In Danita’s case, it’s her passion for alternative music that keeps her going, and is apparently the very theme of her upcoming album. Slated for release under Viva Records sometime in October, her album will feature a collection of original compositions like Tanong, If Only and Lunod — three songs which were composed by Mark Escueta from Rivermaya, Darwin Hernandez from 6Cycle Mind and Monty from Mayonnaise, respectively.

It’s quite evident that things are looking up for my friend Danita. Whoever thought that she’d be singing onstage – more so, that she’d be staging her own concert at the Music Museum? I remember turning the TV on one lazy Sunday afternoon and there she was, singing on S.O.P. with her many other contemporaries. Another time, she appeared on Tito Boy’s noontime talk show as guest. I immediately sent her a text message in all my excitement and profound awe, congratulating her because of all the success that she’d achieved. I guess when you really love something, you’ll pursue it at all costs. For Danita, it’s singing and performing. And it just really helps when you love your craft oh-so-much and the right people take notice. I know, right, face it!

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Catch your breath and let me know what you think at chasingtoff@yahoo.com