The Asia’s Songbird talks about ‘biritan’
Published On: October 22, 2014, 04:36 PM
Updated On: March 04, 2020, 08:06 PM
By MARY LOUISE LIGUNAS
Every singing competition has that belter who can reach the highest of notes. One of the Philippines’ most celebrated singers, Regine Velasquez gives her two cents about what Filipinos commonly call as ‘biritan’. A belter herself, she expounds why this has been the highlight of singing competitions.
The Asia’s Songbird admits it has become an inevitable part of singing tilts.
“You know, I keep wondering why ‘pag may contest, kailangan bumibirit,” she shared.
However, Regine discovered how ‘biritan’ is used worldwide, and by singers of different genres.
“I’ve read some articles and all that. Even yung mga opera singers, they do that because apparently, it’s really very hard to sing in a high note so that’s always been the highlight kahit sa opera singers. Yung highlight ay 'yung pinakamataas na note,” she said.
According to her, there might not be an end to this phenomenon.
“(Siguro), hanggang kaya. Hanggang may ibubuga… I don’t think it will end kasi people get excited when they hear that, when they hear somebody reach that note kasi nga it’s hard to do,” she added.
Even if belting out high notes is very difficult, the Bet ng Bayan host is proud to come from a country where some of the best singers in the world hail from.
“Not everybody [knows how to ‘birit’]. Although here in the Philippines, it’s like every other girl. Every other girl can do it so we’re very blessed,” she declared.
PHOTO BY ELISA AQUINO, GMANetwork.com
Every singing competition has that belter who can reach the highest of notes. One of the Philippines’ most celebrated singers, Regine Velasquez gives her two cents about what Filipinos commonly call as ‘biritan’. A belter herself, she expounds why this has been the highlight of singing competitions.
The Asia’s Songbird admits it has become an inevitable part of singing tilts.
“You know, I keep wondering why ‘pag may contest, kailangan bumibirit,” she shared.
However, Regine discovered how ‘biritan’ is used worldwide, and by singers of different genres.
“I’ve read some articles and all that. Even yung mga opera singers, they do that because apparently, it’s really very hard to sing in a high note so that’s always been the highlight kahit sa opera singers. Yung highlight ay 'yung pinakamataas na note,” she said.
According to her, there might not be an end to this phenomenon.
“(Siguro), hanggang kaya. Hanggang may ibubuga… I don’t think it will end kasi people get excited when they hear that, when they hear somebody reach that note kasi nga it’s hard to do,” she added.
Even if belting out high notes is very difficult, the Bet ng Bayan host is proud to come from a country where some of the best singers in the world hail from.
“Not everybody [knows how to ‘birit’]. Although here in the Philippines, it’s like every other girl. Every other girl can do it so we’re very blessed,” she declared.