Imelda Papin

The ’70s was a definitive period in Filipiniana. It was an age when individual freedom was suppressed by Martial rule.

Self expression however, is akin to a fluid that seeks its course. As a result, the repressed people expressed their emotion through the arts, ergo, the cinema found its golden age and the music industry generated many singing legends. One of them was the undisputed ‘jukebox queen,’ Imelda Papin.

“It was in 1979, when George Canseco asked me to sing the theme song of a Beth Bautista movie. The song was “Babaeng Makasalanan, Lalaking Salawahan,” begins Ms. Papin. “Naku, Diyos ko, sige.’ What an opportunity, ‘di ba?”

The film was a success, so was the song, and the singer.

“It was followed by another hit, yung ‘Kutob.’ Puro movie theme songs ang kinakanta ko,” she adds.

And that was how it all begun for the belle of jukebox.

Things weren’t as smooth for Imelda 12 years back, when she was but eleven. “My father was in government and he was also a very successful trader. He would buy cows from Bicol para dalhin sa Manila. Then, pagbalik, n’ya he would buy rice from Tondo para dalhin sa Bicol.

“Because of a storm, our boat sank, along with the cattles. Kamuntik na ring mamatay ang papa ko doon. So, I told my father, ‘Don’t worry. I’ll take over the responsibility.’ I was very young but I knew in my heart that I have an important role to play in our family.”

Even as a child, the leader in her was also apparent to her mother. “When I was nine, I was already leading the procession for the Block Rosary. I remember that after the procession, I would get the galletas from our store for distribution to the participants, tig-isa silang galletas. Seeing that, my mom said na may pupuntahan ako. Kasi, kung ano pala ginagawa mo nung bata ka, yun din pala gagawin mo when you grow old.

“After our boat sank, there was an old woman, who saw us at a restaurant. She asked my mother if she could meet her child born on Jan. 26. Talagang wow! She was wearing a white dress with green accent and red flowers. Nagbebenta ng sweepstakes. Hindi ko talaga malimutan. She said that, “Itong batang ‘to, mas sisikat pa siya sa hinahangaan niya.”

That child was Imelda.

True or not, the family especially Imelda and her dad, Rosendo Papin Sr. were fuelled by the ‘prophecy.’ “I joined the Bicol version of ‘Tawag ng Tanghalan,’ the ‘Hagdanan sa Kabituonan.’ I won for several weeks but because I was young and unpolished, I only landed fourth in the regional finals.”

Her father however wasn’t the one to be deterred. “He really believed in me. Sigurado daw na magiging star ako. Dadalhin daw ako sa Manila.”

And he did. They sold all their properties in Bicol and gambled a life in the big city, to chase Imelda’s destiny.

“So, when I was 14, I was studying and at the same time, working. Nagso-Soda Fountain na ako noon. I was also doing auditions. Then, I was given a chance to sing at the Ambassador Hotel. I was only earning five pesos a night. Pero, ewan ko, ang isip ko noon, talagang ‘Pa, don’t worry, kaya natin to. Ako ang bubuhay sa ating lahat.”

“My first big break was when Filipinas Hotel got me as a regular singer, followed by the Hyatt Hotel. Doon na ako na-discover,” admits Imelda. “After a while, I was booked by Hyatt Hong Kong.

“When I arrived from Hong Kong, I had some savings. So, we decided to establish our own record label, yung Sound International. But because we had no connections and no experience, it failed. I was so depressed.”

Her first break as a recording artist of Villar Records wasn’t a success either. But she prevailed until Alice Cabahug’s Wonderland Records came into the picture.

“Ang di ko malimutan, when I renewed my contract with Wonderland, the representatives of Vicor, Octoarts and Alpha were also waiting for me, hoping that I’d change my mind. I will never forget that. So, I told them, ‘Okay, I’ll sign up with Wonderland for two years, then I will work for Alpha and Vicor for one year each.’ Wow! Parang talagang sisikat ako ‘no. Ang feeling ko ganon yon, dere-deretso s’ya.”

Of course, we know now that her dreams came true.

Throughout her struggles to achieve her dreams, her inspiration remains the same - her family.

“My greatest accomplishment is, napag-aral ko lahat ng aking kapatid. Fame comes second. I offer everything to God and my family. Until now, I am embracing my family. I’m always there to guide them. May kapatid na akong doctor. They’re all okay. Sabi ko, yun ang best gift ko sa inyong lahat. God gave me the talent, the strength and the positive attitude, what a waste kung hindi gagamitin, di ba?

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