Spritely Ivy Violan at 72: What’s her secret?

By Maridol Ranoa-Bismark

Few are the artists who can skip on the stairs leading up to the stage while singing their hearts out. Fewer still are those who can do it without skipping a beat.

Ivy Violan, 72, is one such artist.  The audience (some of them seniors) at Mowelfund’s recent 52^nd anniversary rose to its feet as she sang  More Today Than Yesterday, a Spiral Staircase medley, and her first composition, Yakapin Mo Ako (arranged by Homer Flores under Viva Records).

Microphone in hand, she descended the stage, greeted everyone, then quickly ascended the steps back to the stage. Her rich, full voice didn’t change one bit.

A few weeks after, she portrayed the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Lenten musical  Martir sa Golgota.  The role is a recurring one for Ivy, who has played the mother of God for 11 years. 

What’s with all the energy and stamina for someone her age?

Health regimen     In a condominium unit which she has called home for years,  the Song Festival Queen (she has won several international song festivals in the country and abroad), Ivy keeps a stationary bike and a rowing machine, which she uses as much as she can.  She lifts free weights.

She frequents badminton and pickleball courts.  

She shuns fat, sugar and salt and sticks to fish and veggies. She walks while singing, and doesn’t use the microphone until rehearsals and show time come around. 

“It strengthens the lungs and boosts stamina,” she explains.

Ivy also makes sure she gets nine hours shut- eye time a day before and after a show.  She only takes burger patty, banana, honey and warm water before a show.

Food for the soul

And since she believes feeding her soul is as important as nourishing her body, the veteran singer catches up with her Bible group every Tuesday. 

“Because of my personal relationship with our Maker, I can make it through all life’s challenges. Life is good and so is God, who has been faithful to me,” a grateful Ivy reveals.

This upbeat mindset is inspiring Ivy to do more, even to the point of going  beyond her comfort zone.  She has turned to artist management, with new pop artist Rai as her talent.

“We have to give younger talents the chance to shine,” she smiles.

While she’s at it, Ivy is preparing for Endless Memories, which will see her perform with fellow veteran singer Nanette Inventor, along with George Sison Tagle, Jerome Violago and Rai.  The show is set on Saturday, April 25 at Manila House at Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig.

Ivy will also mount By Request at Angelos on May 16, 8 pm.  Jhong Torres is her guest singer.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Ivy promises more shows, more projects.  

Fifty-four years after she burst into the entertainment scene, Ivy is excited to return to her favorite playground – the concert stage.