Yeng Constantino kinder to non-singers

[rjman_afan]

By JOJO P. PANALIGAN; July 17, 2010, 3:58pm

Rock Princess Yeng Constantino is more forgiving of non-singers who record albums.

“Maybe ‘yong mga so-called non-singers na ito ay ginawa ‘yon para lang sa mga fans, para lang ipakita na meron din silang ibang kayang gawin apart sa kung saan sila nakilala. Minsan kasi sa aming mga artista, kahit ayaw ay gagawin pa rin namin dahil hiling ng mga taga-hanga,” she told Bulletin Entertainment in an exclusive interview.

The subject was brought up while discussing international singer-theater actress Lea Salonga’s opinion on the matter.

“Let’s call a spade a spade. If you can’t sing, don’t release an album. It’s that simple,” said Salonga on a showbiz talk show.

The superstar added: “I don’t care kung gaano ka kaguwapo, kung gaano ka kaganda o kung gaano ka ka-popular. Kung hindi ka marunong kumanta, wala kang karapatang kumanta, ‘wag ka na lang mag-release ng album…kahit karaoke, ‘wag na lang.”

Constantino has a kinder view since she herself has to sing a variety of songs on ABS-CBN's Sunday variety show, “ASAP XV.” Although a rocker at heart, Constantino, whose list of original hit songs include “Hawak Kamay,” “Salamat,” “Jeepney Love Story,” “Lapit,” and “Wag Kang Magtatanong,” sometimes performs pop songs on the show.

“It’s a bit of a compromise pero in the end ay madali namang intindihin kung bakit ko ginagawa ‘yon. Variety show ang ‘ASAP’ kaya 'di naman pwedeng panay metal lang ang gawin ko doon,” she said.

Constantino also has to put aside her musical preferences in hosting the ABS-CBN late-night show “Music Uplate Live.” An interactive show which has 6cyclemind drummer Tutti Caringal as co-host, Constantino has to relate to different kinds of musicians.

“Ang maganda dito sa show na ‘to, you learn more about the personality of musicians na di mo aakalain. Like do you know Sitti is a beauty queen pala, while Nikki Gil was class valedictorian? Kumbaga, binabasag namin ang wall between fans and their idols,” she said.

Constantino herself becomes a fan when she discovers local artists who deserve adulation. Two names she mentioned that earned her respect even more after they appeared as guest on “Music Uplate Live” are Noel Cabangon and Aiza Seguerra.

Constantino defended Filipino musicians who have been criticized for being good “clones.”

“Ganoon man ang tingin ng iba, 'di pa rin maikaila na talented ang mga Pinoy. Kaya nating manggaya ng iba, pero may sarili din tayong tunog,” she said.

The rocker is proud of the kind of following “Music Uplate Live” has commanded. Though it airs at early dawn, the show has what she calls almost a “cult” following.

“Para kaming Kapatiran. Nagte-text sila; may mga fan clubs silang tinayo…mga Kapuyatan talaga,” she said proudly.

According to the release, the “Music Uplate Live” barkada gets bigger and better with Constantino and Caringal plus a special one-month stint of Tambalang Balasubas and Balahura—Nicole Hyala and Chris Tsuper every Friday.

Launched last March 15, “Music Uplate Live” has featured musical performances by big stars such as Side A, Freestyle, Bugoy Drilon, Richard Poon, Christian Bautista, and Itchy Worms.

A music and game show with lots of prizes and surprises to give away, it also has music news every night and a musicology portion, which is a basic tutorial with certified music scions. The show has launched a segment-host search called “Ka-Jock” (or Kapuyater Jock). It also aims to discover fresh talents via “Break Mo ‘To Night.”