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| Setting Messages to Music by Florence Pia G. Yu Published: Sun Star Weekend Cebu City, Philippines April 1, 2001 |
| "It felt really good to see people touched at other people's thoughtfulness. What is even more overwhelming was that I was the bridge for that, touched pod ko," says Connie. What started as a specialized singing service later found Connie running nothing short of an errand for Cupid.����� "I would sing for someone's girlfriend; for couples on their anniversary. But the most touching is to sing for mothers during Mothers' Day," she relates. "Maka-limbawot sad sa balhibo oy nga mo-hilak ang gi-kantahan tungod kay na-touched nga naay nakahinumdom nila! (It is so touching when they cry as I sing because someone has remembered them)" She never intended to be a tearjerker, though; she just loved to sing. "Singing is my first love," she declares. At the age of 10, Connie was already hitting the high notes at the neighborhood church choir. When she was 14, she joined the DYRC Club 963 singing group, and performed pop songs for the Fuente Osme�a crowd. |
| It was here when she was later discovered to be the one-woman show Singing Telegram lady. She was only 20 when she started, thrilled to be caught up in other people's love stories. "Kilig kaayo nga kanang manag-uyab--labi na nang mga tiguwang--magpakanta inig anniversary nila, unya mo-request ug themesong! (it's exciting when couples, especially older ones, ask to be sung to during thier anniversary, and they even have a themesong)" she tells, beaming, "makit-an gyud nimo ba nga touched kaayo sila! (you will see how touched they are)" She came at a time when true-blue romantics wanted a fresher, more creative way of expressing their affection. A romantic herself, she understood their language and delivered it with the smooth style of an empathetic performer. With a guitar on one hand, a bouquet of flowers with a greeting card on another, Connie would sing her way to someone's birthday, wedding, reunion and other occasion. "Pirmi kaon, mao nga didto ko gasugod ug panambok! (I always ate, so I started getting big)" she reveals, laughing. |
| However, the road to the assignment at hand didn't always turn out a confetti-sprinkled one. "Imagine, moadto ko ug bisan asa nga dapit, usahay adto sa squatters area unya gukdon pa ko ug iro! (Imagine, I even went to the slum areas where dogs ran after me)" she exclaims, laughing. Sometimes, she'd get lost or get caught in a downpour, "but still I'd clutch my guitar and head for the place. I would sing even if I'm dripping wet." But the job has its perks, too, Connie assures. "Daghan kaayo ug tip, kanang isulod bitaw nila ug red nga sobre? (I got a lot of tips, you know, the ones placed in red envelopes?)" Some former clients--whom she has forgotten--would stop and say hi when they meet on the street. One time, she was on a jeepney when someone tapped her on the shoulder. "Mora siya'g dugay na nakong kaila. Iya pa gani kong gi-sangpit sa akong pangan, per wa koy kalibutan kung kinsa siya. Usa diay siya sa akong nakantahan niadto. Nindot kaayo nga ni-matter sad diay to imong gi-buhat, bisag unsa ka gamay (She acted like she had known me for years. She even remembered my name. It's nice when what I've done mattered to them)" Making people happy is the best reward, she says. "Bisan ug kapoy, ang kalipay sa imong gikantahan?dili kabayran! Malipay na pud ka! (Even if you're tired, the happiness of the person you are singing to is priceless. You'll also feel happy)"she says, smiling. However, Connie admits that one could not really make a career out of it. "Seasonal man gud. Maghuwat ra ka kung kanus-a naay magpakanta. (It's seasonal. You have to wait for someone to ask for your service)" Now at 33, Connie, who is working full time as a telephone operator for a local hospital, is temporarily shifting gears with her singing stint. She recently tied the knot with her boyfriend, who also loves to sing, like she does. "Pero sa banyo lang, (But only in the bathroom)"she quips. With her own love story to attend to, the singing telegram will have to take the sidelines for now. But she's not closing the music book yet. How was your first day as a singing telegram? We were both tense--the client and I. It was my first time to sing to someone that way and it was her first time to be sung to. How hard is it to be in that kind of job? Pirmero abi nimo ug lisod kay manuktok ka sa balay, kay surprise lagi. Magkalisod ma-aan pa ka ug mangingilad! Pero madugay, okay na. (It is difficult at first because you have to go to the houses uninvited, because you're supposed to give a "surprise", that sometimes you might get mistaken for a thief. But it will be okay as you go along) Do you need to be a romantic to stick to the job? It is important to follow your heart. Mas ma-satisfied ka kung imong i-follow imong desires (You'll be more satisfied if you follow your desires). What do you like most about it? Creating a memory. Ang memory--nga gikantahan ka--priceless! But why are you taking another full time job? Tan-aw man gud nako dili siya ma-lifetime job. Kinahanglan man sad ta ug steady flow sa kwarta aron way utang, way problema (You can't really make a lifetime job out of it. I need a steady flow of money so that I won't run into debts; problems). Should money be the end all, be all of existence? Bahala na ug pobre basta maayo ug lawas ug malipayon (It doesn't matter if your poor as long as you are healthy and happy). What is your answer to life's problems? Simple living, and music. Music is our lifeline. |
| �2001 Writer's Block. All rights reserved. |
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