The first song I memorized was the theme song of my parents entitled Gaano Ko Ikaw Ka Mahal popularized by Celeste Legazpi. I was in kindergarten when my teacher, Sister Marilyn heard me singing this song. She asked me to sing it again in front of her and so I did. (I never realized I was confident in doing that..haha!)
It never occur to me that some people will think that I can sing. Now came my experience in 6th Grade. In our English class, we were asked to sing a song individually. I sang You Made Me Live Again. And boom! My teacher was impressed with my voice...what??? haha! She asked me to have a duet with my classmate, Climaco in our Christmas Party. Some of our teachers were present in class just to witness it. (Now as I recall it, i'm ashame of myself..haha!) Me and Climaco sang My Love Will See You Through by Chard Borja. I thought that foolishness as a singer ended there. However, in our PSYSC Camp I was requested to have an intermission number. This time I know I don't have the courage to face a crowd. Though I practiced the song My Heart Will Go On by Celion Dion but I truly knew that singing is not my forte. I'd rather give a speech than sing a song at that point. So because I don't wanna put my self on a big shame. I was shouting the night before the actual presentation. Yes, I was successful with my plan to make sure I don't have a voice on the following day. Because of that my teacher didn't force me to do the number. (Smart kid! haha!)
I thought singing would no longer knock on my door during my high school. In Sophomore Year, our class presented a chorus during the Christmas Party. We sang Sa Araw ng Pasko and I was chosen to have a solo part. On the other hand, during my Senior Year in High School, my Filipino teacher encouraged me to join a Singing Contest. Obviously, I declined the offer. I'm known in school and I don't want to be a laughing stock by my schoolmates. However, she bargained with me. You want to know what is it?? Well, she said if I join the contest as a representative in my class, win or lose, I won't be submitting the final project and I won't be taking the final exam. Automatically, I'll have a perfect score in my project and final exam. I was weighing things and because I was starting to be lazy, I accepted the deal. My contest piece was Panunumpa by Carol Banawa. The first few lines I sound good. However, when almost all of my teachers were watching me already, my voice began to be shaky and I could no longer hit the right notes. After my presentation, I said to myself I will never do something I'm not excellent. I don't want to give a half-baked and unsure performance of any kind. I thought that was it, however, opportunities to sing was running after me. I forgot the title of the event but my friend, Urly was playing the piano and I sang "Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin" in front of the entire high school student body. (I don't know why I indulge myself to that..I guess I have a fighting spirit then..haha!)
Good thing when I reached college that foolishness was over already. Singing is just something that can lighten up my mood. I still sing but not in a school affair. My friends and I would go to videoke bar to have a showdown. Singing is now a way to bond and to unwind with friends. It is no longer a serious part of me.
Finally, I moved to Sydney, Australia last year. Fortunately or unfortunately, Ate Janeth dragged me to be part of a choir. Shocks! This couldn't be happening. I don't wanna put myself on shame again. But because I was too shy to say NO so I joined a multi-cultural choir at St. Joachim's Church, Lidcombe, NSW, Australia. We also sing at St. Peter Chanel Church at Berala. Here are some photos of us.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-cMOT4Ipb_V8_yZ8ae_LF6lPkYFn1REG8RuvaIfK9vUg2VeUELnWGA-5qdLubSw4sDppLT0hrd9WSmY1AFZj0qj85qsQHA0UD8F9cuZ9ugZ2ghfPLmqBnN-Agk-AfaS-MvnbxX1T6bBRv/s320/aaa.bmp)
with Kuya Elmer..He is our guitarist and the over-all head of the choir.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ95437xFkvfMsdE1nnYuyz8sQsnVWdH7KxAi09NV7pwjGXOkoLETk5iKLmz0ouHM97uJut91tz_3W0aYQWsZ9oDpFF1d8nOSUwcBUfnHRakRHDCQB79qMQEzAwSS_Ph95hthVbODLEiQp/s320/aaaa.bmp)
Ate Chat , Ate Janeth and Mark
Ate Chat-- after practice or after the service she used to cook for us.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-AAKqwXU2zOM7yMUdWKc4-3Kv3T_074owAaOa-cUDMO_xBEPycvSk6g-Z3XpYp7MibtdZsVVTA7l4hUHLd0CX0SFJjf9pgyx0x5h6E3sJPe3K5b3kfkqrrx4gno-7ssCf939tNdvuw0lY/s320/aa.bmp)
this was take at Berrima, NSW, Australia.
with Margaret (woman with a hat), Theresa (woman with a white top).
I could finally say that the chance to sing even if I was not a singer was memorable. I realized that I may not have a singing prowess but I have a heart to sing especially if it is for God. I may either run out of tune or I may not hit the right note but if it is for God, I don't care at all coz I know God would judge me based on the sincerity of my heart rather than my ability to sing. Good night everyone!
~*~ manelle ~*~