Singing my HEART Out!

As they say, whatever type of music we sing reflects the current condition of our hearts. Somehow I agree to this statement. However, it doesn't holds true to me all the time. Whatever my mood of the day, I only sing to one type of music and that is mellow. Actually, I don't sing professionally. I'm not even a good singer but what I can do best is follow a tune. Let me share to you, some fond memories in my life as a "singer"..hehe!

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.

with Kuya Elmer..He is our guitarist and the over-all head of the choir.














Ate Chat , Ate Janeth and Mark

Ate Chat-- after practice or after the service she used to cook for us.










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 ~*~