By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle
Melanie Calumpad, or more popularly known as our favorite R&B singer Kyla, enjoys the best of both of worlds: her singing career is undoubtedly a sucess and her personal life blossoms, especially her relationship with basketball player Rich Alvarez is also flourishing.
Last December, Kyla rendered her talent in stage play “Prinsesa: Hiwaga ng Kalikasan” at the Aliw Theatre. Kyla was the princess of nature who is longing for the cooperation of humanities in saving the Mother Earth from pollution. She worked with singer-composer Rannie Raymundo, comedienne Beverly Salviejo and Ate Gay.
Another highlight to Kyla’s career last year was the launch of her “Beautiful days” album under EMI Philippines. The R & B Princess had personal touch to the said album, which comprise songs that interpret the way she see things now.
As of now she’s busy performing at “SOP” with power performers – Ogie Alcasid, Jaya, Janno Gibs and Regine Velasquez. While in “Popstar Kids” she’s the host and guide for the youngsters who want to be in Showbiz.
In the past, however, Kyla almost turned her back on showbiz because of the ups and downs early in her career. Good thing she eventually realized that those were part of her career path. Just like what happened on her “Tanghalan ng Kampeon” experience.
“I joined “Tangahalan ng Kampeon” when I was 10. I joined five times and lost five times, but I joined again until I became the champion when I was 12.” sehe said.
Using her real name – Melanie, Kyla became a member of German Moreno’s youth oriented show “That’s” Entertainment”. Kyla recalled that she was just a backup talent there, for most of the time she preferred to stay behind especially during the dance presentation of her Wednesday group.
“Parang salimpusa lang, 13 lang ako nun. Every Saturday, every group would prepare a dance number. Because I was such a lame dancer, I would always be at the back holding the props. But I couldn’t do the liftings that the seniors can do or the routines. The worse is I couldn’t do acting as well! Because I would always end up laughing! Di ko talaga kaya noon . Kaya kanta na lang ako parati.”
At 15, Kyla had a band that used to play in Le Boulevardier in Hotel Intercontinental every night. Then after a year she joined the Metropop Young Singer’s competition and got the 3rd place.
Though she was already a professional singer, she struggled in finding ways to conquer the mainstream music scene. Soon, she was able to achieve her dreams.
“My dad would always disseminate demos to recording companies but I always get rejected. Maybe it wasn’t really meant for me at that time. Buti na lang din kasi I could have landed in a company where they’ll make me record songs that I don’t want to do. I could have been singing a different style of music right now! Which I won’t like!”
Kyla is happy being part of EMI Music, where she is allowed to choose her music and be part of the creative process.
“Actually, accident lang yung sa EMI. An old friend of mine (Ferdie Marquez) asked me to send a demo. So, I submitted a song that I recorded for the Metropop. The bosses at EMI liked it so I started recording na. After a month they released the album and the rest is history.”
Her breakthrough song “Hanggang Nagyon” from her first album “ Way To Your Heart” was a certified hit and its music video won various awards from Awit Awards, MTV Asia, and Guillermo Mendoza Foundation named her Most Promising Female Artist in 2001.
Soon after several chart toppers, awards, and numerous shows were tremendously pouring for Kyla. Radio stations 89.9 Magic and RX 93.1 tagged her as 2001 –2002 Artist of the Year while MTV Pilipinas named her as their 2001 Best Female Artist.
For her interpretation of “Tara Tena” for ABS-CBN Song Festival’s JAM, Katha Awards bestowed the Best R&B Performance to Kyla while the song received the Best R & B Song and Song of the Year.
Passion and hard work are what pushes Kyla. Her family, friends and fans are her inspiration. She’s thankful that many believe in her capability and that’s why she disciplines herself to provide quality performances.
“I don’t drink cold water after a performance. I make sure I have enough sleep the night before a concert. I vocalize at least 20 minutes before singing and I always practice.
“Keep the faith and always trust your hunches. Prayers help a lot in fulfilling your dreams.” are the golden words of advice Kyla has for many aspiring performers yet to find their break.
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About Phoebe Dorothy Estelle: Phoebe Dorothy Estelle believes in the power of dreaming and it's smarter to be lucky than lucky to be smart. She's boyish and jolly outside but feminine inside. Has faith to the Divine Providence and an ambivert gal who loves performing arts, anime, interesting stories or people, music,films and ice cream. .
March 9th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
[...] The prince was also able to collaborate with industry royalties. Like in the revival of “Parting Time, he worked with R n B Princess Kyla. Total Performer Vina Morales sang with him on “Come what May” while Asia’s Songbird, Regine Velasquez, joined him on the hit “Bakit ba Iniibig Ka?” [...]