Pop Princess celebrates a decade of music

MANILA, Philippines – Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo is all set for “Perfect 10” – her two nights of performances celebrating her 10th year as a singer.

At a recent press conference on her November 15 and 30 concerts, Sarah – whose path to her current stardom began with her winning in the talent search “A Star For A Night” 10 years ago – said she has been mindful of how she has evolved as singer.

“I guess I now know who I am and what I aspire to be,” she said. “I think my musicality is expanding and I have learned to use my heart, more than my guts, in delivering the message of my songs.”

High octaves

For the 25-year-old star, there is more to singing than showing off runs and high octaves.

“When you are new in the game, the tendency is to impress – rather than to get into the soul of the music. But as you go along, you get to see the basic things. I am not inclined to be carried away by ‘Pop Princess.’ For me, it’s just a title. My more pressing concern is how to be appreciated as an artist. I want my voice to be appreciated for what it is without the help of production design and choreography.”

Sarah said her stint as jury-coach in the recently concluded “The Voice of the Philippines” was a learning experience. She saw herself in the contestants aiming for the big prize.

“Yes, I remember how it was when I was just starting. I can relate with the struggles of Charice [Pempengco]. It was a big challenge to be a part of it. I had to set aside other things to be able to focus on this. I don’t know if my advice made sense but I was there to help other people and to learn some more. My ears were open every time Lea Salonga and the other mentors said something about their protégés. The more I am exposed to singers, the more I realize there is a lot to learn in this business.”

Discretion

That presscon also had some of us among her audience inquiring into her love life. Sarah smiled, then broke into giggles, chose discretion by saying she had learned to keep certain things private.

“I don’t think I have enjoyed the joys of a relationship outside the media. Before, everyone had a say on my life and what I ought to do. I had become an open book. Whoever it is coming close to my heart at the moment is my private domain. I need time to nurture a relationship on my own. We cannot maintain that only through text messages and Skype. We all need time and space to find out if what we feel is for real or only for the media. There was a time I ended up pleasing people but I am left nursing my own private misery.

“I don’t think I have an obligation to trumpet to the entire world that I am in love [again] and I am sooooo happy. Sarap. I no longer believe in falling in love in public.”

Sarah’s chief concern now is to search for her inner voice – and certainly the music.

“Singing has to come from the heart. You have to relate to the songs and their message. Of course, experience helps. You can sing more about heartbreak, its pains when you have been through one.”

She has all the more become a professional singer.

“I warm up before a performance. Before a concert, I check my food intake. I avoid cold drinks and [spicy] food. I carefully plan my repertoire. I choose songs fit for my voice. When I was just starting, I felt I was obliged to sing everything even if they are not for my voice. I know better now.”

Has she found her voice?

“I think I am getting there,” she said, smiling. – Rappler.com

“Perfect 10” will be held on November 15 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and on November 30 at the Mall of Asia.