Meet the half-Pinoy crooner in UAE who is a ‘Prince’

AL AIN, United Arab Emirates — Filipinos here who had seen him perform probably wondered: Who is this foreigner singing OPM songs?

Indeed, for half-Filipino, half-Persian singer Prince Uma, having a “foreigner's face” is an asset, as it helps create a buzz about him.

“My nationality does contribute a lot in my singing career for sure,” said Prince Uma, a Syrian passport holder. “It is an additional point.”

A big Martin Nievera fan, the 31-year-old financial advisor in Ajman Bank said he likes singing OPM songs and can speak Tagalog fluently.

Apart from the famous Pinoy balladeer, Prince Uma also listens to Canadian crooner Michael Bublé, and his favored musical genres include heavy rock, jazz and love songs.

“Most of the time, the crowd listening to me singing a love song would cry. Other times, they would shout out loud when I sing fast songs,” he shared via email.

For charity

Prince Uma said his talent is not only for singing contests — he also supports charity events.

“I’ve participated in many competitions here in Dubai. I’ve also done many charity concerts in Ras Al Khaimah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai,” he said.

And although he is “very happy and content” at his current job, Prince Uma said he still sings and performs for the fun of it.

“Singing is a passion,” he said. “I enjoy every single moment onstage.”

Achievements

For the last three years, Uma would get recognized as the “Star of the Night” and the “Best Fashion Male” in the singing competitions he joined in.

He was also warded with the Best Stage Performance, Most Applauded Performance, Best in Audience Impact, and Best Song.

“[But] the most memorable recognition that I have received was when I was a special quest with Allan K and Eugene Domingo during the New Year comedy show here in Dubai,” he beamed.

Hosting job

Prince Uma started as a TV host for the program “Tawa Rama,” a segment at Pinoy Atin ‘to (PATV) in 2009 to 2010.

“Being a TV host did help a lot in my career. There are a few challenges especially when it reaches to level of pleasing the crowd. Only experience can help you at that level; how can you reach to their hearts and how do you make them smile?”

He is also part of the first batch of the Vocal Guild Group, a group launched at the Comedy Junction-Dubai that trains the voice quality of its members.

Still, Prince Uma would practice his craft even though he is already a veteran at it.

“I always practice singing at home, while driving, and walking in the streets. It didn’t ever affect my business schedule, hectic as it often is,” he said.

“I will never get tired of singing. If a day passed without me being on stage, I feel that my day is incomplete,” Prince Uma added. — KBK, GMA News