MANILA, Philippines?American music critics have hailed Ramiele Malubay as the ?most improved Idol? on a recent concert tour.
Despite her newfound fame as an ?American Idol? finalist, Ramiele, 21, is very much grounded and definitely Filipino in her values, as this interview with Inquirer Entertainment shows.
She returns as the same 4?11? frequent balikbayan who spends most of her time with family, enjoys native food and scours the metropolis for the best shopping finds. The only difference is, like it or not, she?s famous now.
She shares the stage with Ogie Alcasid and local ?Pinoy Idol? winner Gretchen Espina, with runners-up Jayann Bautista and Ram Chaves in a concert on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20-21, at the Aliw Theater.
How would you compare audiences in America and in Manila?
Sa American audience, okay ang lahat. Pagkatapos ng performance ko na puro palpak, sa kanila okay pa rin. Sa Pilipinas, sasabihin sa iyo kung pangit ang boses mo or what. I like the honesty ...
How has ?American Idol? helped you personally and professionally?
I think I?ve grown from being naïve and shy to ... you know, I?m there, I?m experienced. [I learned that] you are supposed to speak for yourself kung ayaw mo, if you?re uncomfortable. Before puro ako okay, oo lang ako nang oo ... And then I would cry because I didn?t get what I wanted ... Pagkatapos ng show, I think hindi ako nag-excel, because I didn?t speak up ...
What did you learn from the show?
It made me more responsible. I?m happy because it made me independent. Wala na ako sa bahay. Nandoon na ako sa California. I live with my boyfriend ... It also made me grow as a person, as an artist. Now I think about what musical genre suits me, kung paano ako kakanta ...
What are your plans?
?I?d like to do more concerts ... For the long term, I would really like to record an album.
Are you planning to pursue a singing career in the Philippines?
I welcome it and I would take any opportunity.
Misalucha at Eastwood
Las Vegas-based diva Lani Misalucha is home for a special two-night engagement?Friday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m. at the McKinley Hill Showroom, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, and tomorrow, 3 p.m. at the new Eastwood Mall Atrium, Libis, Quezon City. The shows, mounted by Megaworld Corporation, will feature songs from Misalucha?s latest albums with Universal Records?the all-covers ?Reminisce,? which contains her versions of classics from Queen, the Beatles, Natalie Cole, Donna Summer, Elton John, among others; and ?The Gift of Christmas,? her very first Yuletide album. The McKinley Hill show is strictly by invitation; the Eastwood gig is open to the public. Call 687-6770 to 74.
Madz, PMCIE at the CCP
The UP Madrigal Singers and Philippine Montessori Instrumental Ensemble 2008 (PMCIE) perform in ?Stars of Hope? tomorrow, 3 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater. Call 911-4889.
