Monday, January 28, 2008

Random Thoughts on a Very Late Night

- Why the pyrotechnics?  I couldn't breathe!!!

- We need more kid singers that actually sound like children... why do they sing Celine, Mariah and Beyonce when they clearly lack the life experience to pull off those songs?  I cringe at 10-year-olds singing about lost loves.  Please, puwede ba???  Big Spender shouldn't be sung by anyone who isn't legal!

- The Madonna-Whore syndrome...

- When will the NAIA Terminal 3 finally open?  It's been sitting there since before Nicole was even a tiny glimmer in my imagination... it's corroding as we speak!  Our airports are the first places visitors see when they arrive by air... and we don't get a second chance to make a first impression.  SOMEONE PLEASE OPEN UP THAT FIRST IMPRESSION ALREADY!

- I was told about a septic tank truck that reads: "This is where all political promises go."  Ha ha ha!  Touché!  Exactly where NAIA Terminal 3 will end up too unless someone does something now.

- Just saw our new commercial for Baby Spa... Nicole is SO DARN ADORABLE in it!!!

- I hope that Hasbro/Mattel leaves Facebook's Scrabulous alone.

138 comments:

Roy del Valle said...

We need more kid singers that actually sound like children... I've heard Gerard echo this sentiment a few of times... I totally agree. It's the parents, the teachers and the producers behind these kids who are to blame. Had a session last week with agency producers like this. Nakakaawa yung bata. As if he was doing something wrong by sounding his age - 11. = (

cynthia sanchez said...

i agree

Lea Salonga said...

Not to toot my generation's horn, but if you listen to the kid singers of my day (Kristina Paner and Manilyn Reynes to name my two favorite contemporaries, and even Sharon Cuneta when she started her career at 12), you'll near nothing but the sentiments and emotional range of kids. We didn't sing songs that were neither vocally nor emotionally inappropriate, nor were we forced to perform in a fashion that would damage or destroy our fragile vocal instruments. We were kids! It saddens me that the grown-ups in their lives who are supposed to know better, actually encourage this (to quote Vince de Jesus) "take no prisoners" style of singing. Let kids be kids, please. I can't stand it when I hear a 10-year-old belt "My Heart Will Go On" or some similar ditty.

Roy del Valle said...

"Take no prisoners" style of singing....hahahaha.... I think that should be the textbook term... =)

Paco & Tiny Arespacochaga said...

I couldn't agree more with both of you. As a matter of fact, my son (who is now 11) has the vocal talent of his mom (geneva c). We don't even force the kid to sing. And when he does sing, we don't tell him what to sing. We just want him to enjoy whatever he listens to.

Soleil NYC said...

I totally agree, but we have always rewarded children who have talents far advanced for their years. Bobby Fischer, Mozart, Banig. The fact of the matter is that they impress us and they reap the fruits of their efforts. This is why children push or are pushed so hard to sing "Iisa Pa Lamang" belting into the rafters.

You think they haven't watch Bianca Ryan a hundred times on Youtube? I worked with her when she was 7 and she was already trying to sound like Aretha. Reminds me of when I was 6 and trying to boo-boo-booboo like Bing Crosby in White Christmas, totally convinced that I sounded exactly like him-- and Elvis too!

neri risos said...

nicole is super cute.. she looks like she's so sweet...

lizzette dela peña said...

Congratulations to your new commercial! Nicole is very cute! How I wish she will have more commercials.:)

Franco L. said...

I totally agree with you! Kids should really sound like kids. What a treat it is already to hear children sing as pure as they should really sound!

Raffy Francisco said...

Chicken and egg i guess... People write songs and produce for stars... since there arent any strong legit child singers (and the music industry is quickly dying due to piracy), producers are very wary... they go for safe bets. Songs for adults.

There should be songs of hope sung by children. This country needs positive energy from the youth.

Maybe i should go write one... mmmm....

Guy Gustafson said...

I never considered one point you bring up. I have to admit that before reading this, if I heard a 10-year-old belt out "My Heart Will Go On" and sound good doing it, I'd be extremely impressed and wonder just how good they'll sound when they are in their late teens. But I never thought that a child belting out a song could damage their vocal instrument! I have your CD "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing" - songs you sang as a child. I love the song selections; very light-hearted, upbeat, positive (except for the emotional "Mama"), but all perfect for a child to be singing. You sounded like a kid on that CD, but look at how beautifully your singing voice matured! If kids really do idolize you (as they should), then they should follow in your footsteps by singing appropriate songs for their (in)experience and "vocal instruments". No adults should ever push or exploit talented children; let them have fun when they're kids! I'll be more sensitive myself and try not to encourage such behavior.

Tiffany Guevarra said...

is nicole's commercial out on you tube yet? i wanna see it!!!! =)

Jojo Terencio said...

i fully agree... A few years ago, i was so shocked when a 10-year-old niece of mine was crooning Madonna's Papa Don't Preach... i approached the parents and told them "Do you even know what the song means?"

bing ♥ said...

*Tear down the mountains,
Yell, scream and shout.
You can say what you want,
I'm not walkin' out.
Stop all the rivers,
Push, strike, and kill.
I'm not gonna leave you,
There's no way I will.

And I am telling you
I'm not going.
You're the best man I'll ever know.*

I may earn the wrath of our kababayans but I simply could not appreciate this kind of performance from a 15 year-old Charice. I disdain the "face-off" Youtube videos of her against famous singers and this innocent American girl. Our fellow kababayans are so hateful with their harsh comments against other performers in their attempt to show "support" to a Pinay... which to me is an egregious mistake.

anne mendoza said...

This is also my pet peeve that's why I'm a bit on the fence with Charice Pempengco. Of course I'm happy that she's getting the breaks that she worked hard for; however, when I saw her on Ellen singing And I'm telling you, I somehow feel something isn't right. There's this little girl who's so adoringly naive when Ellen was interviewing her then suddenly she belts out a heartbreak song...di ka pa nga naka-first kiss, heartbreak na :)

Luzimperial -Harvey said...

Oh my god! I can't wait too see Nicole's Advert! Waaaaaah! She's definitely excellent! Congrats to you littlegirl,mwah,mwah,mwah!

Ronald Manaron said...

I'm totally on board with Lea and the gang here. As far as Charice...well, in all fairness, if you listen closely to her rendition, she's actually singing "you're the best MOM I'll never know...". I sincerely believe she's singing about her own Mom, and I could feel it coming directly from her heart.

Ronald Manaron said...

...actually, I meant to say "you're the best Mom I'll EVER know". I wanted to emphasize the fact that she's not singing about a man. I think Charice will do fine. She can certainly benefit from the guidance and wisdom of people like Lea.

tin samson said...

yeah, i saw your baby spa tvc! congratulations! awww, nicole's first tvc. she really is adorable and such a happy baby. very, very nice commercial! pwede nang professional endorser talaga. ;) i haven't seen pictures lately kasi, how long na pala her hair. super cute! my favorite part is the end where you touch her nose and she laughs, and when you kiss each other. congrats again! :D

tin samson said...

i wonder if nicole's already seen it and if she realizes that it's her on tv. i wonder if she gets a kick out of it. :) unless maybe she's used to watching home videos of herself.. hehe.

JANE AREJOLA said...

"We need more kid singers that actually sound like children... why do they sing Celine, Mariah and Beyonce when they clearly lack the life experience to pull off those songs? I cringe at 10-year-olds singing about lost loves. Please, puwede ba??? Big Spender shouldn't be sung by anyone who isn't legal!"

SUPER AGREE AKO DYAN! :)

Bon~Bon Quirog said...

OMG... i totally agree with the one about kids in the music industry... i keep saying that... as in talaga!... it sickens me to hear kids singing grown-up songs and having absolutely no idea what they really mean... and it's practically the parents' fault for allowing their kids to be subjected to such inappropriateness... but the problem is that they (the parents) themselves are not aware of what and what not is appropriate for their children... they don't consider the fact that what their children are presently being subjected to would affect their children's physical (as in vocal chord damage like Lea said) and psychological well-beings... maybe they won't be seeing the effects right away but they will appear in the long run... and they'd be blabbering about why their children would turn out this way and that way......

mj tam said...

what makes me cringe more is when I see Filipino kids dancing and singing to "sex bomb"...wtf?

Lea Salonga said...

Oh dear God no... now THAT'S wrong!!!

Nicole just started singing... not quite in tune yet, but she's enthusiastically "la la la"-ing a lot now. And no, I'm not letting her listen to the big diva belters yet... right now, it's classical music and whatever Sesame Street can dish out. Oh, and musical theater (of course).

tin samson said...

and disney stuff? :)

my nieces and i went to see disney on ice yesterday. i will always love disney. did you take nicole to see disney on ice? my 3-year-old niece watched for free because she still reached the 3-feet limit.

tin samson said...

mj, hahaha true. with all the sexy moves and pussycat dolls-like movements! yikes.
and true about children singers belting out those big songs. i still prefer julia abueva and katrice gavino (and other talented kids in theatre) over charice pempengco and similar singers. although there's no denying charice pempengco is talented.

mj tam said...

I know huh!

OK...now I have to bitch even more...

How else will our children act when what they see on mainstream TV are those whorish looking clad girls like in WoWoWee dancing in the background. Quite frankly, all that shit embarrasses me. I'm all for Filipino Pride here in US, but I wont get TFC just because of those kind of shows. Ok...enough about my bitching.

XXXX YYYY said...

You shouldn't talk about Madonna in this way. First of all she was not a "whore" was never a whore, and in those days everyone had their own look and style. She's the healthiest person alive and looks phenomenal now more than ever. I have met her several times, she's a humanitarian, so charitable, and most of all a great mom. She's super smart as hell, never used drugs, and is the hardest working person in the biz. Any other artist I know could only wish to reach the level she's reached to this day. You in the entertaiment industry should know never name names as an artist respect for another, or totally diss another artist coz it just makes you first look jealous, and second makes you look like an ass. I am sure you are good at what you do so keep positive and don't say untrue false things about people you don't even know.

Ronald Manaron said...

I think before we jump on Lea about Madonna Whore Syndrome, we should clarify what she meant by that term. She might not even be dissing the celebrity Madonna at all. I've heard that term used in some psychological circles referring to men who form relationships with good "virginal" women but have a problem viewing them in a sexual manner. Or something to that effect...

SJ s said...

that wasn't meant to be an insult, it's a phrase widely circulated.
google it and you'll find out...

Ronald Manaron said...

Ah, yes, I count Julia Abueva as one of my favorites. No sexy dancing, no skimpy outfits, no acrobatics with the microphone; just fresh, wholesame talent that will mature with age, I'm sure.

XXXX YYYY said...

If you were a friend of lea's you wouldn't want bad things said about her, or do anything do make her feel bad. This is not good karma and artists shouldn't bring each other down. If I remember correctly Lea had this good quote before saying "If you dont' have anything nice to say then shut the f---up!". Basically just keep nasty comments like that to ourselves. M. is a friend and believe it or not a mega superstar like her has feelings and gets hurt. I'm kinda shocked lea said this being in the industry and you never who you will bump into in the future, being that she comes and does work in the states quite a bit--maybe she was just tired or had too much vino. That's all man--peace!

XXXX YYYY said...

Yes I agree with you romana on Julia Abueva -what a great girl she is!

Bill みつる said...

carranzaw,

Kindly read Lea's entry carefully again. the Madonna- Whore Syndrome is a common term in Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis and has nothing to do with Madonna, the Singer. :)

Obviously, you're the one who's not in tune here--what made you think that Lea was referring to your friend, Madonna in the first place? :)

Tiffany Guevarra said...

uhmm for those people who were offended by the "madonna whore syndrome" thing, dont you think you're just being a little too sensitive? because according to Freudian psychology, this complex often develops when the sufferer is raised by a cold and distant mother. Such a man will often court women with qualities of his mother, hoping to fulfill a need for intimacy unmet in childhood. Often, the wife begins to be seen as mother to the husband — a Madonna figure — and thus not a possible object of sexual attraction. For this reason, in the mind of the sufferer love and sex cannot be mixed, and the man is reluctant to have sexual relations with his wife, for that, he thinks unconsciously, would be as incest. He will reserve sexuality for "bad" or "dirty" women, and will not develop "normal" feelings of love in these sexual relationships.

Popularly, the term is used to describe an unsatisfiable desire by a man to have his wife or other female partner exhibit both of these mutually exclusive traits. This introduces a dilemma where men may feel unable to love any women that can satisfy them sexually and are unable to be sexually satisfied by any women that they can love. Alternatively, the term is to describe or attempt to justify the behavior of men who pursue multiple women as a way of fulfilling each of these needs.
Am i right?! hehehe.. =)

☼ *** said...

carranzaw,

wow, little learning is a dangerous thing! lmao. how could you? the material girl is not in anyway connected to the madonna- whore syndrome. just like the others here, i feel sorry for you for the lack of knowledge and the gall to diss lea on matters that you have no idea at all.

that term by freud has been around for ages, my goodness and you haven't heard of it?

i think you're the one who has a problem since you profess that you're madonna's friend and yet you think of her as a "whore"

Will Barcelona said...

"clearly lack the life experience to pull off those songs"

Hey Lea:) I was wondering how did you managed to pull off the songs you sung in Miss Saigon. You were very young and single when you got the role of Kim? How did the director help you to portray the demanding role of Kim? Also are you planning to do another CD of Broadway songs? Thank you.

☼ *** said...

nobase,

I think Lea was 18 when she actually performed in Miss Saigon (17 when she auditioned), so she was not "very young" when she portrayed Kim.

Also, there's a huge difference in the level of maturity between a 10- year old and 18, if you ask me.

Jim Paredes said...

I have actually seen kids sing these songs below. Here's a repertoire that will make you cringe:

1) The Greatest Performance Of My Life
2) Kiss
3) Cabaret
4) Sex Bomb
5) My Way
6) She Bangs
7) Saving All My Love for You
8) Bad Girls
9) Like a Virgin

Sometimes I wonder if we subconciously encourage this in our culture. Consider that
we seem to like to project on our mass media, children in ‘adult’ roles or situations. Our telenovelas like to depict children who cry a lot because they are saddled with the problems of the family and the world. In singing contests, it is not unusual to hear kids sing ‘My Way’, or ‘The Greatest Performance Of My Life’ or ‘She Bangs’. And there is the phenomenon of very young kids gyrating like the Sex Bomb dancers and the like projecting an overt sexuality fit only for adults!

sugar dizon said...

Trivia Time:
carranzaw a.k.a. Will- probably couldn't handle the heat/ flak of his wayward comments here where he dissed Lea and now metamorphosed into nobase a.k.a. Will, the same one from YouTube where he bashes Lea on so many videos.

And you claim to be a friend of Madonna a.k.a. the Material Girl? You Wish! hik- hik- hik.

Noel, right?

Chino Hernandez said...

Totoo nga po ito Ms. Lea...

I would love to hear Nicole sing "A Whole New World" and "Part of Your World" that will be so cute!

Will Barcelona said...

Sugahmamma80, first and foremost I'm not carranzaw. Check the IP number before you state your claim. Yes, I am nobase in youtube. My name is Noel or Will (most people call me). I never bashed lea in Youtube. Most of my comments were positive. So don't generalize me as a Lea Salonga basher.

Will Barcelona said...

One more thing put all the links from youtube that you felt that I'm bashing Lea Salonga. I want to know what comments that I said that I offended you. Thank you.

sugar dizon said...

it's a miracle that carranzaw banished from the face of multiply and deleted his account with the same page design and the same name like yours. btw, he also claims to be in Canada. hihihi. i stand by what i wrote here and i don't believe in coincidence! lmao.

Will Barcelona said...

For the freaking last time, IM NOT CARRANZAW!!!!!!! I don't care about freaking Madonna and whatever he or she said.

Will Barcelona said...

Thank you for your comment. I did not meant to compare Lea to the 10 years old singers. I just wanted to know how she did it because it seems such a daunting task to play a character that is so opposite to one self but yet she was able to flawless capture Kim's roller coster of emotions. I wan to know her secrets. Thank you.

Lea Salonga said...

Correct. My English teacher first acquainted me with this term when I was 18 years old... it has nothing to do with Madonna the singer at all. In short, it's when women are lumped as either a Madonna (virtuous, pious, motherly, holy) or a Whore (sensual, sexually more liberated)... that no one woman can be both. Or something like that.

Lea Salonga said...

A lot information and help from the rest of the cast of the show, the producers, writers and director.

Roy del Valle said...

This blog is really fun to follow... = ) It just confirms my theory that great topics come from random thoughts on very late nights...

btw, the NAIA 3 management cannot proceed because of legal problems with the contractors. I believe the last time the press checked, the place was leaking water right onto the check-in lobby and it is starting to get worse with lack of maintainance.

Chinky Fuentes said...

Amen, amen to this!!!! I was never a fan of Wowowee because of the dancers. My nephew joins us for lunch all the time and I don't wanna let him see this show.

Once, I told myself I was being too hard on the show (they do help some people) but when I was walking at the mall one day, I saw this little girl of about 7 years. She was wearing a mini skirt with glitters on it and a halter top and while waiting for her mom outside a store, she heard a disco song from the mall's speakers and she just gyrated and swayed there for all to see and I was like arrrrgggghhhhh!!!! It is disgusting to see supposed to be innocent and cute little girls dancing like that - in public.

Lex R said...

Hi Lea--haven't seen you in the neighborhood in sooo long! Pls check your personal message, wrote you something there. Hope you're well, and happy new year to you and your family!

sugar dizon said...

you can deny it Will a.k.a. Carranzaw a.k.a. Noel a.k.a. Will again but I know better. I have my way of knowing this fyi. lmao.

"Peace" man?

Psalmi Deo Chorale said...

As for the very talented 12-yr old Julia Roman Abueva, we recently had the pleasure of witnessing her perform during a wedding service here in Singapore.

Here's a YouTube link of Julia interpreting Lea's "Two Words" -> http://youtube.com/watch?v=tMp3f3OgsvM

Teresa Natividad said...

I can't blame those 10 y/o or 15 y/o singing those mature songs. It is what they are EXPOSED to.They see it on tv, hear it over the radio etc. If they sing such mature songs, it's because they want to sing it. If they are forced to sing such songs, that's a different story. Anyone can sing any song they want, they don't have to experience it. When I was a kid I sung those songs because they were the songs I heard over the radio. I liked the melody. I adored the people who sung them. Was I "EXPERIENCED" ---NO! Example, I like the song "Terminal". Those who grew up in the 70's, I bet sung this song. Do they know what it meant...it's an adulturous song.
So, Lea give me a break...you were not "EXPERIENCED" yourself when you did Ms. Saigon. You yourself said that you never had a bf nor were you ever been kissed. Nor did you ever had a
child!!!

Lea Salonga said...

An 18-year-old singing "Sun and Moon" or a 20-year-old singing "I'd Give My Life for You" is totally different from an 8-year-old dancing to "Sex Bomb" or a 10-year-old belting "And I Am Telling You". Common sense is all I ask.

P Blue Fish girl said...

The Madonna-Whore syndrome: I would imagine a lot of Catholic women, Filipinas in particular, torture themselves about this of course wanting to believe or be part of the Madonna category and not the "whore" category. It's terrible. Remember, your husband doesnt care if you had previous relationships it's only you trying to torture yourself and beat yourself up for past decisions gone array. Live in the present- it's not your fault for "slipping," it's a part of growing up and living on earth- There should be a yahoo group on this.

Teresa Natividad said...

Get the media people or producers to do better shows, that way these kids are not so influenced by what sing and do. They need the common sense and morals and not always ratings and profit! And we us mothers, parents and good citizens, we have a great responsibility to our children.

Will Barcelona said...

sugahmama80 don't you dare claim that I wrote this also.

Will Barcelona said...

You know what I' not gonna bother with you. I think you already know that I'm not Carranzaw but your to arrogant to admit it. Yes I'm from Canada and she have a lot of fans up here. My multiply website is its original format meaning I didn't add anything on it and there are hundred of people who looks like my website because once again they left in its original format. Also where are the links from Youtube your claiming that I'm bashing Lea Salonga. The only comments that was negative that I can think of that I wrote was regarding her costume she wore during the "Heat of Saigon." Everything else was positive. You know what you sound a lot like bodega70 from youtube are you the same person.

bing ♥ said...

Pls. don't take Lea literally. Singing-along with adult songs can't always be prevented but performing it infront of an audience is a different thing (perhaps parental and contest committee screenings should be mandatory). Songs mentioned by Mr. Jim Paredes are perennial entries by kids in singing contests (I was a regular viewer of Pilita & Bert's show in my high school years).

Role portrayal does not equate to being "experienced" for you take the role as you have implied on Lea's Kim. You don't have to be crippled to play a cripple...or to be inflicted with cancer to play a cancer patient...or to be a kissing expert to do kissing scenes...or to be evil to do sinister roles...

Teresa Natividad said...

Badabing, That's my point, you don't have to be experienced to sing or do the role.
The bottom line here young or old, experienced or inexperience, parental and committee screening should be MANDATORY...you are 100% correct. Whoever is behind these shows (producers and directors), should step up to the plate. I was stunned when I saw these tv shows. Someone has to SCREEN and coach these kids. They join these contests to get discovered or get a big break and perhaps uproot themselves from poverty. It's their big ticket and it's sad they have to perform this way. I feel for the kids. They will do anything to get a big break. And I don't blame them, they don't know any better.
So, I don't just look things at face value but I question, why do these kids perform such acts? It's more than just that, it's all the outside influence and pressure.

On a different note, if I were to judge a singing contest, I will judge according to the performance and sound of their voices and not based on their "life experience."

Will Barcelona said...

Thank you for your reply Lea. I'm glad you were able to go to Bacolod. I'm originally from there, I'm now in Canada suffering the cold winter. Anyway, just a follow up. Are you still considering recording the song "Written in stone" (song that was cut from Mulan) in the future? Also have you seen the recent shows that Schonberg and Boublil created (Martin Guerre and The pirate queen)? What did you think of it. Also I heard that they already cast the prince for Cinderella. Can you tell us who he is? Final question what did you thinbk of the "Little Mermaid" on broadway. Thank you, so sorry for too many questions.

sugar dizon said...

You make me laugh. Of course I saw you and bodega70 engaged in a spirited but pointless debate on Youtube that had me in stitches for days. lmao. I know how you construct your sentences and your tendencies like being a name- dropper & feeling in the know attitude. Also your brain always have a hard time distinguishing "figure of speech" and the literal meanings. Lmao. Carranzaw, nobase & sige na nga, bellsinchimes, peace out?

You're just baiting Lea & every one here for a reply to your non- sensible comments. I should know for I know you, Noel aka Will.

My field is in IT so, I KNOW what I'm talking about, gets mo?

Ronald Manaron said...

Agreed. I could never figure what purpose the face-off videos served - other than to generate flame wars and ad hominem attacks. They are an incredible waste of energy and attention. In the end, there are no winners - everyone is a loser! Whoever creates these mindless pieces of crap must have TOO MUCH time on their hands.

Will Barcelona said...

I think you have way too much time on your hand sugahmamma80. I came here not to redicule Lea but yet your twisting everything. Trying to be clever and think you know everything. I'm still waiting for the links from youtube that you claimed that I bashed Lea. If you can't even do that then you need to check your eyes. I'm very pissed off right now. Your saying things that are untrue. I will not go down without a fight. Your allegations are untrue and unfounded.

Fall Croft said...

Sadly, no one can foresee when NAIA 3 will open (if it even will!) for reasons that there's too much legal disputes between the government, contractors and the consortium that built it, defective design and the 600+ million budget which disappeared faster than a jet taking off the tarmac.

But maybe, just maybe, we'll see NAIA 3 live if and when the govt let Lucio Tan operates it. *sigh* Only in the Philippines!

Gina MS said...

Wow! This thread has certainly turned out to be quite a read.

On a much lighter note (and many thanks to Tin for sharing) your new commercial with Nicole is definitely adorable. I hope there will be printed ads in magazines as well. Great job especially on Nic's part! She's a natural! =)

Lea Salonga said...

We can all argue life experience and kid singing till the cows come home. All I ask for is some common sense when picking a song for a child to sing. Why make a small child sing Big Spender (or any other similar, very adult-themed ditty)? Why make another small child wear a halter top and high heels when entering a singing contest (I've seen it happen)?

Common sense. Common sense. When I say that a child doesn't have the life experience to pull of those songs, all I mean is they're not grown-up enough to sing grown-up songs. You can presume someone who's at least 17 or 18 would have had at the very least at least one broken heart (I was sheltered... so sue me), so there would be something emotionally to draw from.

There is a large enough canon of material for a child to sing. Again, and I cannot stress this enough, use common sense. Read the lyrics. If your kid's a big belter, fine. Just use better judgment when selecting material. Is that too much to ask?

3rd Catayoc said...

I totally agree with you. I was in high school when I've heard this grade school girl sing "Break It to Me Gently" while tears were falling down her cheeks. I was seated just near the judges and I couldn't help but comment "What the heck were her parents and teacher thinking?" One judge looked at me and laughed. The girl didn't win.

I'm also alarmed with my four-year-old niece who dances and sings "Marimar" with much gusto. I've reprimanded her yaya ang my Ate for exposing her to it. I've made a rule that Marimar is banned when the children are around. Ha ha! But it made me smile when I heard her sing along with you in that infant milk you're endorsing.

nori villena said...

I recall a child star (she's legal now) singing "You light up another cigarette while I pour the wine..." E 12 years old lang siya noon.

Chinky Fuentes said...

It is true that Lea was not experienced that time but it is unwise to compare her to 8-12 years old singing mature songs (as I understand this age group is what Lea meant) because she was already EIGHTEEN years old at that time. I think it goes without saying that at that age, a person can understand more about life even without experience more than an 8-yo could.

At 18, she was also capable of weighing the lyrics of these songs - the morality, the principles and the lessons of the songs FAR better than those 8-12 yo we see on tv, even without the experience.

At that age, she was already capable of sifting through the lyrics of the songs what she wants to believe and what to leave behind the stage.

And I believe Lea is not holding the kids responsible when she wrote this blog. i believe she meant for the mothers and producers or whoever are in-charge to have common sense.

Teresa Natividad said...

" ...use common sense...Just use better judgment when selecting material. Is that too much to ask?" Sad to say, it is what it is. We've seen it way too many times. Our culture thrives on this. Why do you think kids/people are more attracted to these kinds of songs and dances, than the wholesome materials you are suggesting? That will be good if they do, but that's not the case.

Vjthird, you are right, kids mimic what they see out there, your niece for one. Lea, you are in the media, maybe you can suggests to show producers and directors to do some screening before these kids can even perform. Frankly, it will never stop unless something is done. It really takes a village to raise a child.

Some can continue bashing these kids, but it is really a serious issue. Parents, yayas, relatives, media, we all have a big responsibility!!!

sugar dizon said...

Hmmm, nobase (Will/Canada) suddenly sprouted after Carranzaw (Will/Canada) evaporated from multiply when he/she messed up on the Madonna- Whore Syndrome. Both accounts were newbies here and the timing as well as the time frame is suspicious. Add bellsinchimes to the equation and you got 3 empty- site users debating wiht me and that doesn't come often in Lea's site, buking ha?

You think you can mislead us here? As I said, I know you and I'll unmask you in due time. Meanwhile I am just enjoying your posts as you continue to bury yourself deeper into the murk.

Why don't you show the Youtube links that you praised Lea & paste them in my site?

This is my last post here until I decide to reveal your identity. I'm inviting you to my site if you have some violent reactions. Got some goodies for you.

Guy Gustafson said...

Common sense is what should be used in many things, but why are there commercials about drugs for erectile dysfunction on TV when children can see them? It's all about the almighty dollar, that's why, and common sense is tossed aside.

As for your inexperience when in "Miss Saigon" as compared to younger children's inexperience, I'm sure you had discussions with one or both parents weighing whether or not to accept the role as Kim, and the effects on your career of that decision. You must've been excited to get the role, but after really reading the script and lyrics and discovering what the show is all about, you must've had some doubts about the character you were asked to portray. Other original cast members must've gone through something similar. A child that's younger doesn't have the luxury of discussing their career - it's up to the parents to make decisions, and use COMMON SENSE.

But I also agree that children nowadays get exposed to inappropriate material from too many sources (music, TV, movies, maybe even friends & family, etc.).

"...a septic tank truck that reads: "This is where all the political promises go."" That is very funny!...hehehe...I wonder if that's where those promises originate, also.

"...our new commercial for Baby Spa...Nicole is SO DARN ADORABLE in it!!!" Yes, she is!

The comment about the pyrotechnics, is that something that happened at your last concert?

Lea Salonga said...

It happened at an event last Sunday. The fireworks were a little too close to my face after I sang. The smoke was so thick that I couldn't breathe. It was a little uncomfortable, to say the least.

Guy Gustafson said...

Glad you weren't injured! I seem to remember hearing stories that Michael Jackson's hair caught fire during a Pepsi commercial, and he was never quite the same afterwards.

Jojo Terencio said...

with all due respect, to those who are engaged in a verbal tussle, pls respect the site of lea. this is her space...

Ronald Manaron said...

It's unfortunate when children are pushed to perform beyond their limits, on top of being bombarded with inappropriate material from the media. The good news is that if Lea were to bring this to the public's attention, people will listen. She is a universally-liked and well-respected role model in her country; I'm sure that whatever comes out of her mouth in interviews - be it in television, newsprint, or even this blog - will carry a lot of weight, especially to those who look up to her (young and old alike). Moreover, she can speak with great authority both as a mother and as a former child singer who made it big without growing up too fast.

Manette Bermudo said...

I totally agree. From a mother's point of view, it is but shocking to really hear your 2 year old daughter sing adult - Beyonce or Mariah Carey's -songs. Yes, we get amazed of how they can clearly pronounced those lyrics and even reach its highest note but as mentioned - all we need to remember is common sense and better judgement.

Roy del Valle said...

Although (as i said) i agree that kids should sing age-appropriate material, audiences around the world have been patronizing this style for a very long time. Kids singing adult songs. It's a novelty that sometimes goes too far. Discouraging it is prudent but crusading against it may not be the wisest course.

Just to give you bloggers a light moment here's a sample "blast from the past" for all the Filipinos... Vilma singing "... be my king and senorito" - not very age-appropriate but certainly entertaining. From my friend Mitoy's site:

http://titoy88.multiply.com/video/item/62/Young_Vilma_Santos_as_Ging

Does it help the argument or not? You decide = )

Ronald Manaron said...

Yes, it does. It all boils down to using common sense. Vilma may be singing in an adult role, however, her dance-steps and clothing are very child-like, or age-appropriate. If she were dressed in tight, skimpy clothes and gyrating to sexually-suggestive lyrics, that would be a problem.

Alexander Cohen said...

Why assume that anyone is "making" them do anything? Mightn't they be singing what they want to sing and dressing as they want to dress? It's hardly new that people below a certain age often want to act older, just as people above a certain age tend to want to act younger.

Also, I'm not familiar with the canon of children's music, but how much is there that really speaks to difficult, complicated situations? While it probably isn't the usual case, I suspect that at least some of the time lyrics that were intended to be about emotional troubles related to sex and romance appeal to younger people through troubles involving different kinds of love. For example, a child who sees her non-custodial parent, whom she loves, spending far more time with his new wife's kids than with his own daughter, may not be able to find a song about that, or may feel that if she sang one she'd get in trouble, or may not want to be so open--but may identify with a woman being cheated on by her husband or lover, a situation about which there are many songs, and may think she can get away with singing one of those because her father won't be sure it's really about him. She couldn't sing that she wants to punish her father -- but she might be able to sing "Before He Cheats" and not admit that in her context, it's about her father. For that matter, if she's innocent enough, that same girl might sing "Big Spender" about her father.

And in any event, people become sexual beings in their own eyes and the eyes of their contemporaries long before adults feel comfortable regarding them as sexual beings. Those emotions are very real, and depending on various factors, they may act on them to one degree or another before their elders are comfortable with that. And they may want to express that.

Will Barcelona said...

Okay Sugahmama80 I will provide you all the links from youtube that I commented on Lea. I will post it to your website. I 'm sorry to Lea and everybody here. I didn't meant to make your forum into a battlefield.

sugar dizon said...

nobase,

Anyway, Carranzaw (Will/Canada) PM-ed me. He said he was from Burnaby, British Columbia. How about you?

Jericho Razon said...

Lea, your thoughts about kids singing adult-themed songs seem to have elicited strong reactions among your readers! I'm on the fence... I know that some people such as Charice needed to do what they had to do to be recognized-- I don't think she would have been invited on Ellen if she had sung a "child's song". Then again, I'm slightly off-put by how adult her packaging is... wearing that all black outfit in Ellen, flirting with those Koreans on the show...she's only 15! And come on, replacing "man" with "mom" as in "You're the best mom I've ever known" is just lame! A good compromise between belting and keeping with a child themed song would have been Regine's version of "Go the Distance" from Hercules.

Anyway, Lea, I really really like your site and I'm so bad at technology and I know how good you are with it, how did you do that customized theme?? I tried customizing mine, but the banner and photo that I painstakingly took in freezing NYC weather vanished. Haha I'm so bad at it.

Chinky Fuentes said...

If a child has a talent - real talent, she doesn't have to resort to gyrating and wearing sexy clothes and belting out adult-themed songs.

That's why we have so many singers today that in time were proven less talented than we thought they were because at the start we were dazzled by her costume, style and other distracting motions on stage.

A child's talent can still be evident even without singing adult songs. As Lea said, Manilyn, Kristina and herself are proof of that, to name a few.

Even singing children's songs, they were able to showcase their vocal prowess, the way they control their voices in different tunes, their fitting interpretation of the songs and their voice qualities were evident even with the lesser technology of the 80's.

And... there are thousands of songs out there that are wholesome and cute but challenges the vocal powers of children today. Like jupiter mentioned "Go The Distance" and other Disney songs. The arranger just needs to be more creative.

Ronald Manaron said...

Yes, true talent stands the test of time. Can anyone of you guys remember what Lea wore 25, 30 years ago on stage? Probably not, but you can surely remember that voice!

Ronald Manaron said...

That would have been a sound choice, especially since Charice is not really a small child and not quite a woman. I'm fairly certain that she has talent, but I've only heard her sing 1 or 2 songs. If she wants to improve her chances of success, she should not rely merely on public exposure at many different outlets (she flew to America, for heaven's sakes). She needs to showcase her vocal range with a varied repertoire of music - both the belting and non-belting variety. Otherwise, she will likely be relegated to the heap of other former child stars who made some noise, caused a mild commotion among fans, then faded into obscurity.

Li'l Dove Feather said...

And it's not just the singing. It's also the clothes they are often made to wear.

Li'l Dove Feather said...

Agree. They don't write stuff like those anymore, ergo, kids sing what adults sing. Heck, sometimes i still catch myself singing kids' songs! LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Chinky Fuentes said...

That's a very good idea. They should write more songs for kids to sing, and if they want they can arrange it in such a way their vocal ranges would be challenged so the people can judge whose album to buy, but with the lyrics appropriate for children and won't require them to wear sexy clothes for "interpretation".

jhunnelle sebastian said...

so sweet and lovely:)

object width="425" height="355">

jhunnelle sebastian said...

so sweet and lovely

Rose Dauz said...

finally, somebody spoke about too much belting and kids singing adult songs. it used to be okay, but sadly, the songs we listen to are not what it used to be... and the lyrics cannot be sung by just anybody.

i just hope that future singers show more originality because that's the only way they stand out.

JANE AREJOLA said...

to bellsnchimes: COMMON SENSE NGA!!! Ano ba yan? Mahirap ba i-spelling?? it's really not right naman talaga for a kid to sing "Big Spender", "Sex Bomb"...my 9 y/o daughter sings in school and i don't allow her to sing adult songs. kaya agree ako kay Ms Lea...i guess it's the repsonsibility of the parents or guardians to teach and guide their kids. :)

Lloyd de Leon said...

Just read the thread of comments for this blog... I feel exhausted =( Some people can really be complicated. Hindi talaga nawawala sa mundo ang mga taong katulad nilang mag-isip... But it's nice to note that Lea can still keep her cool.

Traffic Like Me said...

Common Sense. Something that's definitely lacking these days...

Great insight. Funny how conflicts arise from small misunderstandings...

moon reign said...

off topic: i just visited: www.leasalonga.com, great website,cool design,simple classy design... Guys check it out!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

to the composers: make more kid friendly songs please....

to producers,tv&radio stations: more programs that cater to kids...i grew up watching sesame street,uncle bob's lucky seven club, kaluskos musmos etc.

Li'l Dove Feather said...

Exactomondo!!!!

Li'l Dove Feather said...

Ugh!!!! I have so many times kept myself from approaching strangers and reprimanding them about this!

Diyosa Makiling said...

What about NAIA terminal 3?

Thank you for bringing this to attention as one of many things we need to be vigilant about. DOT Secretary Ace Durano's strategy of segmenting tourists markets and selling our 'hospitality' as a service differentiation made sense and quite a novel approach. Hayan, maraming bisita dadating and will encounter the circus freaks we made out of our children.

Inquirer interview first Posted 01:13am (Mla time) 04/29/2007.
“The most difficult problem has been hurdled already, which is the legal problem. We've expropriated it successfully. Now the remaining problem is physical, because the consultant said it needs some reinforcements.Now that's an easier problem to handle. The budget has been allocated. They're working on it already. The President still wants Terminal 3 to open this year.”



In the anniversary of that statement (in 3 months), oh how wicked to imagine an awareness campaign with the WOW Biyahe Tayo ensemble remaking an MTV staged at NAIA terminal 3, all smiles and thumbs-upping?

Diyosa Makiling said...

On the second thought, ok naman siguro na maturn-off ang mga foreigners. The country is not ready infrastructurally. Look how Boracay is being raped before our eyes.
Tayo tayo na lang ang mamasyal and we'll keep our treasures to ourselves. The PAL domestic airport is nice. Iloilo domestic airport has a nice view of our bucolic country side, divala?

jeff aguiman said...

Manang, How was Nicole during the shoot with all the lights and the strangers?

Lea Salonga said...

She did really, really well actually! She would usually be the first one on the set when it was time to shoot.

jeff aguiman said...

Was Rob with you guys when you did the shoot?

Ronald Manaron said...

All in all, I think the website looks very polished and professional. I do have my concerns about its non-Multiply links, though. Her MySpace link seems a bit dicey. Although it may be authentic, there are comments claiming that it's hacked. As far as her Friendster account, I have serious doubts that this has Lea's imprimatur on it. It's quite a slipshod operation, actually. Note the dated, incoherent responses to basic questions, the cryptic language, and the laughable misspelling (singging vs singing - come on, how can she get this word wrong! - LOL).

Joti Molina-Rayos del Sol said...

nakakatuwa... bata pa lang professional na. wish ko lang lahat din ng mga child actors & actress ngayon matuto ng ganitong professionalism... c",)

Guy Gustafson said...

How interesting a blog was this? It has received more comments than any of your other Multiply blogs except the one about your "Inspired" album - posted exactly one year prior on Jan 27, '07.

Lea Salonga said...

I don't have a Friendster account anymore.

advent philomels said...

Its 2:18 in the morning...takes forever to read all the comments .. Hello Manang,, Have a great week end. :) By the way, i was just wondering if you play any sports. (I know its out of topic but just curious) *another random thoughts about you on a very Late night..

erma christine carampatana said...

i can vividly remember during the "titanic" fever where I've been singing My heart will go on..i was on my fourth grade then..quite young for such a belting song!i was using the stethoscope's bell as my mic..haha!
i thought i was testing my chords maximum hit for the highest possible note, forcing myself to get that tune but "no"..i'm an alto!!i was told to sing the best way my chords can carry..
even now, when my conductor tells me to sing the solo part of "lav is a many splendored thing", i don't think i can give much justice to the song if i won' think of my parent's 24 years of marriage..
it's really hard to put such expression and internalize the lyrics of a song if you
don' t have any source "na paghuhugutan ng emotion"..at this age, where i'm about to cross the line of being a teen to something brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,.i don' prohibit myself to sing Remi's OST..haha or that of barny's kc i have a childhood na tlagang i can look back and laugh at..
but if you ask my brother to sing "Delilah"...haha!he'l sing you that with grins on his ears, cos all he can relate to with that is our neighboor "manang deli"...Godspeed!

Grace Garcia said...

I'm guessing that in the cases of "Sex Bomb" and such songs, the kids don't really know what the songs are insinuating - all they know is that it's a dance-able tune and that (some) adults find it "cute". I personally find it tasteless to have kids that young singing and gyrating to those songs.

Whatever happened to "Rainbow Connection" or "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing"?

Wong Melody said...

Hi!!! I'm your fan from Hong Kong who's going to see your concert on 10th of February!!! :D
You have such a beautiful voice... I'm looking forward!!!

"Big Spender shouldn't be sung by anyone who isn't legal!"
I agree!

Dzie Ruiz said...

hi ms. lea, omg! i didnt know you'll have your concert on feb.10 where is this? ;) all i know is your july-august cinderella.

Chinky Fuentes said...

Good to know because when I visited the link from your official website, I did not believe it was your friendster account. There were so many grammatical errors and well, it just doesn't sound and look like it's yours.

Spaced Out In Space said...

ika nga ni simon cowell, "kids singing big songs..."

Lea Salonga said...

Concerts on Feb. 9 & 10 are in Hong Kong. See hkpo.com for details.

moana marie pagaduan said...

Me and my friend marites is looking forward to watch the Cinderella play on July. We are starting to save money as early as now so we can both make our dream into a reality :-) This will be our first time to watch your play. We look forward for that day.

Ronald Manaron said...

As Lea's "official website", the responsible thing for them to do would be to remove that link to the bogus Friendster account. I'm actually quite surprised that their website still has the link. It's also disheartening to see some well-intentioned but mislead fans leaving messages for Lea there (the last one was posted on 2/1, raving about Lea's Bacolod concert). Yes, some fans are clueless, but they are fans nonetheless...

Rika Mimula said...

Will you go to sightseeing in Hong Kong,Lea?

kristine suin said...

Hi! are you having concert on may at the PICC? where can i get tickets? =)

Rika Mimula said...

Will you go to sightseeing in Hong Kong,Lea? And how many days will you stay in Hong Kong? Because here's coming the Chinese New Year and there will be a parade, also a firework next to the Victoria Harbour. Welcome to Hong Kong.
http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/index.jsp

Jean U said...

you hit my thoughts like a bullseye with the kids singing big songs.

alvin chua said...

id like to share this mp3 of lea singing way back :) http://www.sendspace.com/file/sdh0kd

Che T.P. said...

Teehee, the Madonna-Whore syndrome comments really drove me nuts. Yes, how true... little learning is indeed a dangerous thing! Lucky I was present those days in our Psychology and Sociology classes. As to the kids-singing-adult songs, let's try it the other way around. Imagine an adult singing kiddie songs before an adult audience... wouldn't sound too convincing either, would it?

Urane laderas-cabantog said...

whew.... the thread was pretty breathtaking....all I can say is.... 'children need not to be deprived of what they must have and experience.." kung maaga silang nasabak sa mga ganung klase ng kanta, nababawasan ang childhood exp. nila...
like lea, aminado naman sya na mas na-feel nya yung song na 'i'd give my life for you'nung dumating si nicole... kasi mas alam na nya yung feeling kaysa sa mga bata/teen ager pa...

Urane laderas-cabantog said...

by the way, Nic's so adorable in the commercial... nag enjoy si Nic...

maria lulu magpantay said...

cute and lovely nicole in the commercial...more..more....

first last said...

I'm a sixteen year old, guilty of singing those love songs, also because of the lack of new hope filled ones as mentioned previously. But when I hear one that sends a message that only a child can sing, I always fall for it. The thing is, they never become big hits. Well, barely, because people have been caught up in what they call the 'constant struggle of love'.

there should be more songs of hope sung by children. Especially now that everywhere we turn, everyone seems to stare and scream hopelessness

Vinacious V.V. said...

I have been singing to my daughter every night since she was born, and I'm not a big fan of the "kid stuff" so I didn't really sing those. But I did make an effort to make sure that the songs I sang weren't too "adult." Now at age 4, my daughter Tala sings to Barney, Thomas, Dora... plus old blues standards like Armstrong's "Dream a Little Dream," Holiday's "Summertime," and Tuck and Patti's "One for All." I agree with Lea 1000%. We parents should use common sense. All the time.

mildred roques said...

korek.......nakaka bingi na sila they are singing este shouting out loud bit it ng bit it ba....pwede bang malumanay para masabi mahusay kumanta ....sana bagay sa age ang kakantahin nalang :)

Mac Turija said...

I also hope that Hasbro/Mattel leaves Scrabulous alone. It's too much fun.

Bey Calderon said...

I am a HUGE HUGE fan of yours... been here in the Isteyts for around 16 years now... I have a 7 yr-old daughter who loves to sing!!! Dunno where she gets it... my hubby and I only sing in the shower.

I think all children have that innate love for music. Although I saw her interest at a very early age. I have since exposed both my kids to music through the years --Kindermusik mommy and me classes; piano lessons; symphony; theater...
Here's my daughter Ysabella @2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAWfLOLJNs8

and now at 7 .... she is a big LEA fan!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXGbFdbfOC0

We decided not to do the DVD movie player when we got our van and instead played different kinds of music to our kids on the way to school; to activities; etc...so they really love listening and singing to all kinds of music (mostly for kids).
But then I played my long-lost Miss Saigon soundtrack one weekend while driving to a party and Ysa wouldn't let me stop until she's memorized some of the songs!

Here she is singing Room 317
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlsFRx7k6cE

And then she saw you on youtube singing this and now she sings it too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbG8-UzXuvM

I'm not a professional or knowledgeable in any which way possible.... i'm also not planning on launching her into any singing career whatsoever...just driving to piano and ballet and doing school homework is more than enough!!! This is all just for fun... and I thought you would enjoy....we dedicate all these songs to you, our dear Lea!!! We love you!!!

-- cbmy (Orange County, CA)

jofer mijares said...

"Little miss sunshine "=) Funny movie. That says it all... When you teach kids to act/perform like adults.hehe -Disturbing.

H C said...

I couldn't agree with you more. I hate the old NAIA international terminal, mostly that ramp for arriving passengers that go down-hill...such bad design.

I'm a Facebook-Scrabulous addict. I'm glad its still there!

caloy libosada said...

Wow! This has been a great read! Just like a tele-novela with side stories. Anyways, I already got tickets for the July 29 show!

I understand Charice was not 8 nor 12 years old when she belted out in the Koean and Ellen D. shows. She was (still is) 15 years old. Does that still make her a kid?

Whatever, can't wait for that July 29 show!

Ayrin Greyz said...

Just a small info about NAIA 3-terminal ...
From what I know, that project was finished for a long time but the contractor refused to turn it over to the Philippine Government until they get paid for it. The government officials involved in the project reportedly pocketed the intended funds for its completion and paid for only a portion of the finished airport. The contractors are more than willing to let the rest of the airport rot into oblivion than let the Philippine Government use it for free. The main contractors who invested money on this project are, even to this day, receiving death threats from its smaller contractors who were part of the project because the promised final payment after the completion of the project were not met. Yes, the NAIA-3 project was completed but the funds supposedly earmarked for it was nowhere to be found.

I agree with you when you said that it's not a good first impression upon arriving at the airport ... it is indeed an eyesore! But really, I can't put the blame on the investors and contractors of NAIA-3 about this failure to give this particular airport its good first impression ... I guess it's pretty obvious who is at fault, right?

Oh yes, I hope that septic tank is big enough for the "big" and "little" people at fault for the NAIA-3 blunder. Ha ha ha!

Your posts are truly great reads, Lea. Take care!

Ayrin Greyz said...

you made me feel nostalgic about "Rainbow Connection" and "I'd like to teach the world to sing" songs .... they are truly "feel good" music during my time. geez, it sure was ages ago. hey, wouldn't it be nice for Lea to revive those songs from the 80's? such songs still applies in this day and age, don't you think?