The recent publicity generated by James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke featuring Sir Paul McCartney had sure tickled music lovers into checking the iconic bass player’s catalogue, particularly songs he did with his legendary band The Beatles.
Prior to that clip that went viral online, I got to interview Filipino singer-songwriter Rey Valera about his own craft, with emphasis on his composition “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” which is obviously a romantic Tagalog counterpart to Paul’s vaudevillian ditty “When I’m Sixty-Four,” which he wrote when he was just 16 and later recorded with the rest of the fabs as a track on the landmark 1967 psychedelic album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Valera reflected on his own triumphant please-grow-old-with-me creation. He revealed, “Ang idea ko diyan ay galing sa ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’ ng Beatles. At that time, si Sharon (Cuneta) inisipan ko ng kanta. Inisip ko na kumanta ang isang bata ng ‘future tense.’ Sana pag tumanda tayo, or pagdating ng araw…”
While the outspoken John Lennon was more known for his lyrical wit and rebellious leanings, Macca (McCartney’s nickname) has been revered for his sweet, infectious pop melody lines. In fact he largely wrote some of the grandest Beatles ballads such as “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” “Here There and Everywhere,” “Michelle,” “And I Love Her,” “The Long And Winding Road,” and “Yesterday.”
Valera pointed out, “Paborito ko si Paul McCartney dahil sa mga melody niya, ang galing. Si John naman, ang galing sa lyrics.”
An OPM stalwart in his own right, Valera rationalized the effect of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting on his career and encourages others to take his lead. He said, “Hindi ko sila tinuturing na mga idol at ako ay isang fan. Mas iniisip ko sila na mentor. Through their songs they speak to me. At kailangang gumawa ako ng sarili kong landas o identity.”
He further dissected, “Sa mga nangangarap na maging songwriter, ang kanta mo kailangan maintindihan ng audience. Wag kang mag-alala na masabihan kang baduy ka o ano. No problem as long as naiintindihan ka ng audience mo.”
Valera is currently touring in the US with hit foreign balladeer David Pomeranz. Her daughter Clarisse Guardiano-Aguilera is a visual artist who last year crafted a 24”x18” acrylic on canvass she titled “Take These Broken Wings and Learn To Fly,” a tribute lift from Macca’s acoustic gem “Blackbird.”
Meanwhile, comedienne-singer Rufa Mae Quinto and heartthrob singer Bryan Termulo will also take center stage outside of Metro Manila, that is, in a provincial gig this Saturday (July 21). They share the bill at the grand launch of Casino Filipino Cebu’s new tagline “Your One Great Experience.”
Meanwhile, Broadway singer Leo Valdez will also serenade CF Cebu next Saturday, July 28.
CF Cebu branch manager Ricardo Uy stated that fans can watch the shows for free. “Even non-players may come and watch as long as they’re 18 years old and above. This is the start of a series of exciting shows. Everyone can expect a fun, entertaining night on our grand launch at CF Cebu’s Tambayan gaming area.”
