Doing reaction videos—which shows emotional reactions of people viewing television series episodes, film trailers, and music videos and performances—is quite a fad online especially on YouTube.
For music videos and performances, vocal powerhouse Katrina Velarde is one of the favorite subjects of these “video reactors,” who sometimes overreact just to get more views and attract more engagement on their channels.
For Katrina, she does watch video reactions unless they were done by respectable vocal coaches, which is why she limits the content she watches online.
“I don’t usually read comments about me on social media. Social media can hurt you if you’re so into it. Sometimes I watch reaction videos of other vloggers commenting on my performances on YouTube especially if it’s done by a vocal coach,” she told Manila Standard Entertainment in a virtual interview.
“Kapag foreigners talaga they really praise you. Whenever I get praises from them, I feel flattered and happy, but at the same time, I don’t take them seriously because I'm not really used to receiving compliments from people. I feel like I still have so much to learn as a singer that’s why I try to reinvent myself and explore other avenues,” she added.
As a way to reinvent herself, Katrina gets a sound makeover on her latest Viva Records single titled “Sa Panaginip.”
Katrina trades her usual “biritan” singing style for R&B-inflected grooves and soulful vocal stylings on “Sa Panaginip,” which is a collaboration project with songwriters Thyro Alfaro and Ivan Lee Espinoza. Ditto, Marvin Querido, and American pop-jazz musician and drummer Mike Shapiro also worked together on the music production and came up with a slick-sounding R&B pop song that fits Katrina perfectly.
“I wanted to give my audience a different sound, so different na maninibago talaga sila kasi hindi ito yung usual style na naririnig nila sa akin,” she said.
Katrina Velarde was one of the hottest live acts in the biz before the pandemic hit. Her residency at the Music Hall was always a sold-out affair and was essentially her direct line to her supportive fans and listeners.
But when the lockdowns struck, Katrina found herself with fewer and fewer gigs. Shows and performing engagements that usually took the bulk of her time.
It was during this time that Katrina concentrated on her music. Katrina busied herself in recording and released a few singles prior to the new one. One was a cover of “Hindi Tayo Pwede.” The other, an original titled “Mahal Pa Rin Kita.”
“It’s a conscious decision for Katrina and her team and Viva Records to try a new approach,” said a Viva executive.
On that end, Katrina has her new husband to help her out. The newly christened Katrina Velarde-Shapiro is married to American pop-jazz luminary Michael Shapiro, who has played with the likes of Bobby Caldwell, Sergio Mendes, Will.i.am, Macy Gray, Justin Timberlake, Nicole Scherzinger, Fergie (Black Eyed Peas), Kevyn Lettau, and Christopher Cross, to name some.
“Katrina is an inspiring singer,” said Shapiro, “She doesn’t realize it, but her success is an inspiration not only for singers and performers, but for those who set out to have a better life. She’s not a one-time success story as the ‘SuklayDiva.’ She’s still making it with every career move she takes.”
Right now, what Katrina wants is to have that connection again with her fans. “May social media, pero iba pa rinyung kaharap ko sila sa mga shows,” said Katrina.
“Sana nga matapos na itong pandemic, para magkantahan na ulittayong lahat,” she added hopefully. In the meantime, Katrina Velarde and her fans can dream about that moment whilst sharing “Sa Panaginip.”
