Gerphil Flores on solo show, critics, and Kris Aquino

MANILA, Philippines – Asia’s Got Talent finalist Gerphil Flores recently held her first solo concert, entitled “A Golden Treasure,” on Friday, Dec. 11. Dubbed by Grammy-winning composer David Foster as his “Golden Girl,” the classical singer showed a different side to her skills this time around.

“May mga big surprises. Isa na dito ay magkakaroon ako ng dance number. They’ve never seen the golden girl from Asia’s Got Talent do the grooves,” she shared.

She added that she personally selected all the songs that she will be performing in her first solo concert. Among them are “Climb Every Mountain” from The Sound of Music, Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” John Legend’s “All Of Me” and Evanescence’s “Bring Me To Life.”

She is also busy working on her debut album, which will contain original compositions. Gerphil will also be part of the David Foster and Friends Asian tour in 2016.

The AGT finalist will also be a special guest, alongside Jose Mari Chan, in Jack Jones’ upcoming concert this Dec. 29 & 30 at the Kia Theatre, Araneta Center.

Marketing & PR Manager Calvin Neria also shared that Royale Chimes is planning to have another concert with Gerphil, alongside other reality show winners, including The X-Factor Australia’s Cyrus Villanueva.

“There has never been a show with all the reality show winners. We want to put a concert na lahat magkakasama sila, ‘yung best of the best reality show winners, probably next year,” he said.

On crossover singing

Gerphil is very passionate about crossover singing. She said that one of her goals has always been to encourage the young generation to develop an appreciation for classical music.

“That has always been one of my advocacies and I do it through crossover singing—meaning I get to sing songs that are familiar with the young generation but I add a classical approach to it, para mas makarelate sila.” (So they can relate.)

“Like ‘Bring Me to Life’ by Evanescence, that’s a pop rock song but its only a matter of arranging, the arrangement of songs. Lahat, whether it be pop or novelty, it can be arranged into an opera song.”

Gerphil shared that she has always been fascinated with classical music. The 25-year-old added that her mother had her listening to Mozart and Beethoven at a young age.

“My mom would bring me to different opera houses in Germany, where I was born. I grew up listening to these kinds of songs.”

She also opened up about her frustrations when it comes to the lack of support towards classical singers in the country. She said that most of them had to go overseas to pursue their dream.

“Sadly sa’tin ‘di masyadong supported ‘yung classic music, so ‘yung iba once they finished in conservatories, they usually go abroad. That’s where they shine, it’s sad, but its reality,” she said.

(Sadly, there’s not much support in this country with regard to classic music, so the others, once they finished in the conservatories, they usually go abroad.) 

On Kris Aquino

Contrary to rumors, Gerphil previously explained that she did not have ill feelings towards Kris Aquino when Kris gave her feedback about her on Pilipinas Got Talent back in 2010. She said that she was happy that she was finally able to guest on Aquino and Abunda Tonight to clear the air a few months back. (READ: Gerphil Flores on ‘Pilipinas Got Talent’: No hard feelings about Kris, Ai-Ai)

“I went there and I was excited to see her, para tumigil na rin yung mga issues that came about. When I went there, unfortunately nasa abroad siya nung time na ‘yun, kasama ‘yung mga anak niya so I was only able to meet Sir Boy at that time,” she said.

(I went there and I was excited to see her, for everything to stop with all the issues that came about. When I went there, unfortunately, she was abroad with her children at that time, so I was only able to meet Sir Boy.) 

On criticism

Just like other celebrities, she shared that she gets plenty of criticism from social media users – some of them about her singing, others about her personal appearance.

“[They said] I sound like a frog, sabi nila mukhang bading, nagparetoke. (They say I look gay, that I had cosmetic surgery) But I’m really proud to say everything is original. I got it from my mom and my dad,” she said.

Gerphil admitted that she often Googles herself to gain feedback and see how she could further improve on her craft. She, however, said that she never watches her performances online.

“Ayokong makita ‘yung self ko na na mag-perform, or marinig yung voice ko,” she explained. (I don’t like watching myself performing, or listening to my voice.) – Rappler.com