Saturday night will be another memorable night for the great lounge singer from Davao, Malu Barry as she will be performing in a concert dubbed “Falling in Love… Malu Barry” – this time, to benefit the Carmelite Nuns in San Pablo City, Laguna. The concert will be held at the Chef and Brewer Resto Bar along Emerald Ave., Ortigas at 9:30 p.m.

After her successful comeback concert “Malu Barry… Beyond” last Jan. 29, 2009 at Teatrino, Barry comes back for her last show for this year. “I was supposed to mount my concert last September (which is her birth month). But with the typhoons, we decided to move it to a later date,” Barry explained.

As for the beneficiary of her concert, Barry related, “Nakakatuwa sila [Carmelite Nuns] para silang mga anghel at imbes na ako yung kumanta para sa kanila, ako yung kinakantahan nila. Bobing Garcia introduced me to them. Kapag may mga event sila doon, active kami.”

Going indie

Barry, in her glory days, was also known for doing sexy films. What keeps her busy these days apart from her private and corporate shows is one thing she will be doing for the first time – venturing into an indie film.

She shared her experience, “Okay naman, mabilis ang trabaho. Medyo mahirap lang kasi walang dubbing, actual shoot lang. Pero at least nabibigyan ng chance yung mga maliliit nating producers.” Bong Ramos directs the film.

The film, titled “Halik sa Tubig,” stars Paolo Paraiso, Julio Diaz, and Allan Paule among others. The target date for showing is on the first quarter of 2010. The good news is that the film is pitching as entry for the Berlin Film Fest and the UP Pink Festival.

In “Halik sa Tubig,” Barry plays the role of Elena, Paolo’s mother who died when he was just seven years old. Watch for her different role in the movie (a ghost, a singing mom maybe?).

Failing in life, falling in love

Not everyone knew that Barry grew up independent. Having a broken family at the age of three, she went through a lot of hardships. “I started singing when I was 14 years old and from my earnings, I was able to support my studies. I grew up with my lola. Focus lang talaga ako sa trabaho. Hindi naman sa rebelde pero iginapang ko talaga ang sarili ko. Manghang-mangha nga ako pag nakikita ko ang sarili ko ngayon dahil may nagawa ako sa sarili ko,” she shared.

Being the youngest among four siblings (both their parents already passed away), Barry stands as the family’s breadwinner. “Wala akong karapatang mapagod dahil madami ang umaasa sa akin,” she said.

According to a very close friend, Barry is someone “na matulungin sa kaibigan, pamilya, pati buong angkan. Siya ang takbuhan pag may problema. Gusto niya laging masaya ang grupo. Very loyal ang mga friends niya sa kanya.”

On why her concert Saturday night is dubbed “Falling in Love” it’s because “sabi kasi ng mga friends ko nung nag-uusap kami para sa title ng concert, mukha daw akong in love. Kaya ayun, ‘Falling in Love’ na yung naging title ng concert ko,” Barry said.

Looking young and vibrant at her age, Barry said that all we need is to love and be happy. “Mas masarap magmahal at maging masaya. Kung masasaktan ka, part yun. Walang perfect relationship. Once may karelasyon ka, ibuhos mo lahat. Para akong sundalo, habang nasusugatan, lalong tumatapang at marami kang natututunan,” she expressed.

Staying young at heart is one of Barry’s beauty secrets apart from getting enough sleep and not smoking anymore. Of course her hobbies like playing golf, billiards; and joining shooting competitions, keep her body fit. But her number one hobby is cooking. “I can stay the whole day sa kitchen,” she added.

Barry stressed that having a high-profile career is not important for her because “kapag may talent ka kasi, hindi ka na mawawala.” She plans to do a bigger concert next year and probably record an album, too.

Catch “Falling in Love… Malu Barry” Saturday night, 9:30 at Chef and Brewer Resto Bar in Ortigas. Malu Barry will also have a show at Networld Hotel on Nov. 27.