UAE-based Pinay traces love for singing to childhood ice buko cravings

AL AIN, United Arab Emirates—For Abu Dhabi-based Filipina Jewel Anne Mallari, it all started with ice buko back home in the Philippines.

“’Pag gusto ko daw nun ng ice buko, pupunta daw ako sa lola ko na may sugalan, tapos kakanta ako dun para bigyan daw ako ng P10,” Jewel shared via email.

She was then five years old, and because of that early start, she became more and more comfortable singing in front of an audience, until the day she left the Philippines for the Middle East.

“Yung formal na performance ko ay Grade 2 na. Nakasama din ako sa band sa La Salle—the LiveWire CLA Band—when I was in college,” said Jewel, 27, who balances singing with her day job as a document controller in a government firm.

“I used to strike talaga anywhere lalo kung may talent fee at okay ang offer,” she said.

Jewel's love for singing onstage remained with her even when she went to the United Arab Emirates on November 7, 2007. She would sing in Le Royale Meridien, Crystal Hotel, Dusit Thani, and Kempinski Dubai upon invitations from clients.

Break

“I have a friend kasi, si Ate Jen, and marami kasi siyang circle of friends. So ‘pag may party sa house niya, lagi niya ako ini-invite,” she said.

It was not surprising that Jewel is a veteran of various singing contests here.

“First break ko dito nung naging finalist ako ng Pinoy Pop Superstar sa Dubai. Maraming magagaling so, ayun, top 10 lang ako,” she said.

“After that, sumali ako sa Sing Like a Star ng EMAX. Sa buong seven emirates yun, mga 500 candidates daw ang sumali. Luckily, nag-first runner up ako,” Jewel added.

She eventually became a part of an acoustic band called Jewel 'n' Daniel, singing RnB, ballad, and even rap.

“Nag-click ang Jewel ‘n Daniel kasi nag-jive kami ni Daniel. Lagi pa nga rin kami nai-invite sa mga hotels dito,” Jewel said.

Other gigs

Jewel, who has sung during the concerts of K Brosas, Kim Idol, and Kamikazee's Jay Contreras here, prefers listening to Beyoncé and her favorite Filipina singer, Armi Millare of the band Up Dharma Down.

Asked on how she picks her setlist for a performance, Jewel said it depends on her clients, who, she said, are mostly corporate professionals.

“Pero ‘pag for-a-cause, yung pinakamagandang song [na] sa tingin ko ay magugustuhan and medyo mabibilib sila ang kinakanta ko,” she said.

Singing in front of an audience, however, poses many challenges even for a survivor of many singing competitions.

“Minsan kasi yung iba, ayaw naman ng music kaya ayun, dapat makuha mo attention nila kahit simple lang kinakanta mo,” Jewel said.

She also said she gets discouraged at times when she has to sing after arriving home from work.

“Nakaka-discourage lang minsan kapag pagod na pagod ka na galing work tapos my gig ka pa sa gabi. Iniisip ko na lang na hindi mapupulot ang pera. Sa pagkanta, enjoy ka na, kumita ka pa,” she said.

Still, Jewel can't see herself quitting singing. “Kakambal ko na ang pagkanta. Hindi na ito mawawala sa akin. As long as there will be invitations from clients, I will keep on singing lalo na ‘pag okay ang talent fee.” — KBK, GMA News