Young Pinoy balladeer woos UAE

AL AIN, United Arab Emirates — When he arrived here last April, overseas Filipino worker James Lee Niñalga Reaño just wanted to find a “regular work” for his family’s and his future’s sake.

It was just such a blessing that the 24-year-old company secretary-coordinator of Remedia Medical Supplies in Abu Dhabi was able to continue his passion: singing.

“My journey as a singer here started when the Filipino Community Organization invited me to render a song during the celebration of the 115th Philippine Independence Day in Dubai,” Reaño shared via email.

A former language teacher in the Samyook Tutorial Inc. in Makati City, Reaño sang “Ako Ay Pilipino” in his first ever performance outside the country.

He had also worked as a secretary at the Ray Education Directions in Baguio, and a sales and marketing coordinator at the Mada Carpet Company in Saudi Arabia.

“Sobrang saya ko nung ininvite ako to perform in that event and I was not really expecting that there would be a huge crowd na dadalo,” Reaño recalled.

“Our kababayans were singing along while waving Philippine flags. Nakaka-overwhelm talaga ang suporta nila sa akin,” he added.

Foreign audience

Aside from his fellow OFWs, there were other nationalities that have seen Reaño perform.

“Pag pinapakanta din ako sa Church, madami din kaming kapatirang foreigners. Minsan nga, sila pa ang nagre-request para ako’y mag-render ng song. Isa sa kanila ay yung asawa ng ambassador ng Swaziland.”

JL to his friends here and in Tabuk City, Kalinga, Reaño had also sung with Steve Darmody, a Gospel Music singer who has held 2,500 concerts to date.

“It doesn’t matter wherever or whoever I will be performing with. Whenever an opportunity comes, I always make it like it is the last I’ll ever have and it serves as my motivation,” Reaño said.

The singer in him

Reaño started singing when he was 4 years old. Self-training, however, didn't come until high school.

In performing, Reaño makes it a point to give his own version of the song he is asked to sing. He would also join in singing competitions and festival shows in the Philippines.

Reaño, however, still keeps himself grounded. He also still opens himself up into learning even though he has not encountered or received any negative feedbacks to date.

“In every performance that I will do, I am starting it with a prayer. [Then] to keep myself more comfortable before performing, I usually pinch my left and right ear lobes while doing the vocalization.”

Reaño, who prefers singing RnB and upbeat type of music, plans to produce his own music album once he finds sponsors.

“Singing is already part of my life and I will be using this talent that God gave me forever,” he shared.

He added, “I really love music and singing is my passion and I will pursue this career because I want to be known someday and I want also to reach out people through my songs.  I will never give up singing and I take every distractions and discouragements not only a weakness but as challenges and my strength to be better.” — KBK, GMA News