The Evolution of a KAT

Who would think that this 3-year old girl would end up being a singer one day? I could still remember my formative years very well. We used to live in a small appartment in Cubao, right beside my gradmother's house. My cousins and I would collect ziggy toys from "Tang" orange juice packs and bury them in my grandmom's garden. Then, we would ask our helpers to climb the starapple tree and make our own salad concoction. I remember having imaginary friends and play with them while we pretended to be taking our afternoon naps. During summer vacation, we'd be playing with our guy neighbors and destroy their Voltes-5 and Voltron robots, while they dismantle the heads and arms of our barbie dolls. We had so much fun.

My parents always thought that my talent was dancing. At an early age of 3, I was tasked to entertain our visitors by dancing in my undies..without any music (top that!) Without any hesitation, I'd go strait to the living area, pose in front of our visitors and dance my brains off. Shyness was never in my vocabulary.

ELEMENTARY

I have vague memories of my elementary years. I remember being one of the tallest in my class till I was in 4th grade. For some reason, I stopped growing because in 6th grade, I was practically falling in line next to the smallest girls in class. Remember how our teachers would make us fall in line according to height? I could not understand that concept until this day.

Since my parents thought I was good in dancing, they enrolled me in ballet classes. After a few sessions, they discovered I had two left feet. So, they started buying albums and cassette tapes for me to listen to. My first one was Lea Salonga's "I Am But A Small Voice" album. That was the time that my parents discovered that I could carry a tune.

This was also the time that I was bullied my some of my classmates. Thus, the nickname KANATS, was invented. They called me by that nickname to mock me and make me cry. Instead, it stuck in everybody's head and it made me one of the popular people in school. I have been called by that name until college.

Back then, I was a big fan of Menudo. I remember asking my yaya to accompany me to Nepa Q-Mart just so I could buy a picture of Ricky Martin, who, back then, was the youngest member of the group. In 5th grade, I remember being a Debbie Gibson fan. As her fan, we would hate Tiffany because she was Debbie's number 1 competitor that time. It was like a fight between the noranians and vilmanians (I don't even know why I'm putting this here...it just feels so nice remembering small unimportant stuff which were probably a big deal to me back then.)

And yes...I went through all types of hairdo's. From the spike look, to the tsunami look, to the cobra look (inspired by Alice Dixon's commercial)---name it, I did it. Yes...even the shoulder pads did not escape my wardrobe back then. I refuse to show pictures. End of story. Even if you beg.

HIGH SCHOOL

I had the fondest and most unforgettable memories in high school. I had a lot of firsts during this time--first major singing competition, first musical play, first boyfriend, first kiss, etc.

I made a name in high school and it felt great because I worked hard for it. I never topped my class. I never got suspended for any rebelious act. I just did what I thought I was great at: singing and acting. I was the representative in my class during competitions, I would enter song writing and song interpretation contests (and bring home the price..), and before graduating, I was one of the lead cast of the biggest musical plays that year. It was a dream come true for me back then.

I met my first boyfriend when I was a senior. Back then, the most popular hang out spot near our school was Robinson's Galleria. We would either hang out at A&W or McDonald's, wearing our "All Boxed Up" shorts and our "Doc Marten's"...

Back then, "I Love You, Goodbye" was sung by Celine Dion, not Nina, "I'll Never Get Over You Getting Over Me" was sung by Expose, not MYMP, and "Weak" was sung by SWV, not Jojo.

COLLEGE

Pimples, pimples, pimples!!!! Outrage! Outbreak! This was the most troubled time of my life. Changing schools, peer pressure, identity crisis, name it, I experienced it.

If there was a time that I would like to alter, it would be my college years. First, I messed up a great opportunity studying in one of the most prestigious schools in the country. Second, I shouldn't have smoked too much. Third, I should have been more conscious in taking care of my face. I felt insecure and unpretty at that time.

Although, because of the mistakes I had during the first year of college, I made sure that I wouldn't commit the same mistakes again (except for smoking.) I became a dean's lister and I became active in school activities. First, I joined the swimming team for 2 years, then the darts team during my last year in college (well, I just entered the team to get away from the pep squad)...but it paid off. I won a silver medal in darts (who would think?!)

Finally, the greatest achievement at that time was me winning the "Ms. St. Paul" or the "Binibining Paula" competition. It was one of the most prestigious pageants in school. I guess everything paid off after all.

WORKING GIRL

After college, I've tried different kinds of jobs--from researcher at RPN9, to a pre-school tutor, to a multimedia manager, to a medical representative at a multinational pharmaceutical company. I've learned a lot from all the jobs I've been through. The pressure was something that I have always wanted. I hated 8-5 jobs because I wanted a flexible schedule (and I was never a morning person..it'll take one tough person to wake me up.)

Look at how I looked then! This was when I was working at a pharmaceutical company. This was the last company I've been with before I started singing professionally. Thinking back, I had no regrets. I met different kinds of people. I didn't really get along with everybody. Some became good friends, some gave me a hard time blending in, some were just plain cruel. But everyone helped me become who I am right now and because of that, I am very thankful.

DIVA IN THE MAKING

December 2002, I was hosting the Christmas party of our company. We got Passage Band to play that night. As I introduced them to the crowd, some of my friends asked the band if I could jam one song with them. Mark, one of the vocalists, invited me to sing with him. We sang one of my favorite songs, "You Won't See Me Crying".

After the song and after the cheers of my friends, Mr. Henry Onglatco, manager of Passage approached me. "Would you be interested in auditioning for one of my bands?" he asked. Well, I didn't have anything to lose, I thought to myself. It was just an audition. If I didn't get in, it didn't matter. But if I did, well, this was an opportunity that I just coudn't pass. This was my dream. Since I started listening to my Lea Salonga albums when I was a kid, I promised myself that I will just be like her.

God answered my prayers. Christmas day, 2002, he introduced me to my new bandmates. I was in cloud 9.

This was a picture taken during one of my first gigs with my band then, INTENSE. I was given 2 weeks to lose weight and to memorize almost a hundred songs. I was so excited and determined to do good, I lost 10lbs. in 3 weeks.

Due to a lot of factors that was uncontrollable, in the middle of 2004, INTENSE was disbanded. Our male singer became an actor, Camille got married, our manager ventured into the record label business.

It was a blessing in disguise that UNITY was looking for a female vocalist. The rhythm section guys were my good friends so I decided to give it a try. Until this day, I am still with them.

COULD IT BE

After almost four years of singing, I am proud to say that my band, UNITY will be coming up with our album soon. This is a dream come true for me.

I am also proud to say that our first single, "Could It Be", was written by yours truly. It's about falling in love with your best friend. Why did I write it? Well, that's a different story.

For me, my life right now is just where I want it to be. It's not perfect but I couldn't complain. I've been blessed. I'm lucky. I know I will still be going through a lot of obstacles, but as I always say, "bring it on!"

I guess it is really true that 'if God puts you to it, He will bring you through it'...