The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Maridol Ranoa-Bismark
Millennials, Gen Z and Alpha people probably aren’t aware that Ivy Violan won one song competition after another where she represented the Philippines years back. They missed half of their life by not hearing her haunting singing style, her difficult-to-hit high notes.
Even baby boomers who know the Song Festival Queen would be surprised how she veered from her comfort zone. She ventured into song writing, composing an OPM love song under Viva Records.
This is what four generations of music lovers discovered when they watched Ivy’s homecoming concert, Endless Memories at Manila House recently.
Ivy, incredibly slim at 72 , never tottered in high heels. She held on to those high notes as she sang soul-stirring songs dear to her. She bared her soul as she rendered Home, tears threatening to fall on her tight-fitting gown.
The hitherto US-based Ivy is finally home – in the country which saw her talent give glory not only for herself, but for the Philippines. She took care of her late mom – without regrets – and is raring to pick up where she left off.
Two years after her last performance in the country, Ivy is back. Intact is that voice that amazed the international music community. Experience gave that voice even more pathos, more depth, as it quivered as she sang her award-winning songs Pag-asa ng Mundo (grand prize, Metro Pop), No Way to Treat a Heart (grand prize, 1988 Asia Pacific singing contest), Easy to Love You (ABU Golden Kite Festival, Kuala Lumpur and Midnight Song Festival) and Chilly Winds (Lahti, Finland).
The hush lingered as she segued to her composition, Yakapin Mo Ako (arranged by Homer Flores).
Laughing spree
But, all work and no play makes Juana a dull woman. Nanette Inventor, Ivy’s friend from way back, added the guffaws that made the intimate venue ring with laughter. The singer-actress-comedian, made fun of the fact that she’s no longer a spring chicken, and poked fun at her figure. She teased two young men who escorted her to the stage.
“Magkita tayo sa baba (Let’s meet downstairs)!”
The audience burst into a laughing spree. Only Nanette – irreverent, self-deprecating – gets away with that.
Nanette sang, and sang, rooted at that spot on stage where her lively spiels overshadowed movement challenges. It was a classic case of the spirit beating the body.
Whirl of energy
Eighteen-year-old Rai, in contrast, was a whirl of energy. She twirled and sang to Taylor Swift’s bouncy hit Opalite . Ivy took one look at her protégé’s off-shoulder, mini skirted figure and dismissed Rai’s invitation to join her in a duet.
That candid admission of um, boundaries, called for another round of laughter. At least Ivy, like Nanette, is honest about what fits her and what doesn’t. That’s a breath of fresh air in showbiz where image is king.
Add classical singer George Sison Tagle’s rendition of Paradiso and Jerry Violago’s heartwarming version of Corner of the Sky, and things got even better.
People momentarily forgot that gasoline prices are rising, and the Iran war is nowhere near its end.
(Ivy’s next show, By Request is on May 16, 8 pm at KM 17 Place, Niugan, Zapote Mall, Las Pinas City).
Millennials, Gen Z and Alpha people probably aren’t aware that Ivy Violan won one song competition after another where she represented the Philippines years back. They missed half of their life by not hearing her haunting singing style, her difficult-to-hit high notes.
Even baby boomers who know the Song Festival Queen would be surprised how she veered from her comfort zone. She ventured into song writing, composing an OPM love song under Viva Records.
This is what four generations of music lovers discovered when they watched Ivy’s homecoming concert, Endless Memories at Manila House recently.
Ivy, incredibly slim at 72 , never tottered in high heels. She held on to those high notes as she sang soul-stirring songs dear to her. She bared her soul as she rendered Home, tears threatening to fall on her tight-fitting gown.
The hitherto US-based Ivy is finally home – in the country which saw her talent give glory not only for herself, but for the Philippines. She took care of her late mom – without regrets – and is raring to pick up where she left off.
Two years after her last performance in the country, Ivy is back. Intact is that voice that amazed the international music community. Experience gave that voice even more pathos, more depth, as it quivered as she sang her award-winning songs Pag-asa ng Mundo (grand prize, Metro Pop), No Way to Treat a Heart (grand prize, 1988 Asia Pacific singing contest), Easy to Love You (ABU Golden Kite Festival, Kuala Lumpur and Midnight Song Festival) and Chilly Winds (Lahti, Finland).
The hush lingered as she segued to her composition, Yakapin Mo Ako (arranged by Homer Flores).
Laughing spree
But, all work and no play makes Juana a dull woman. Nanette Inventor, Ivy’s friend from way back, added the guffaws that made the intimate venue ring with laughter. The singer-actress-comedian, made fun of the fact that she’s no longer a spring chicken, and poked fun at her figure. She teased two young men who escorted her to the stage.
“Magkita tayo sa baba (Let’s meet downstairs)!”
The audience burst into a laughing spree. Only Nanette – irreverent, self-deprecating – gets away with that.
Nanette sang, and sang, rooted at that spot on stage where her lively spiels overshadowed movement challenges. It was a classic case of the spirit beating the body.
Whirl of energy
Eighteen-year-old Rai, in contrast, was a whirl of energy. She twirled and sang to Taylor Swift’s bouncy hit Opalite . Ivy took one look at her protégé’s off-shoulder, mini skirted figure and dismissed Rai’s invitation to join her in a duet.
That candid admission of um, boundaries, called for another round of laughter. At least Ivy, like Nanette, is honest about what fits her and what doesn’t. That’s a breath of fresh air in showbiz where image is king.
Add classical singer George Sison Tagle’s rendition of Paradiso and Jerry Violago’s heartwarming version of Corner of the Sky, and things got even better.
People momentarily forgot that gasoline prices are rising, and the Iran war is nowhere near its end.
(Ivy’s next show, By Request is on May 16, 8 pm at KM 17 Place, Niugan, Zapote Mall, Las Pinas City).