She would have loved to rock out there and promote her debut record with face-to-face audiences. But the ongoing pandemic made sure that singer Noela Amparo will get to do the rounds via virtual performances and online show appearances.
There's no stopping her though. Besides, she has a record out, currently hosts a live streaming channel, and definitely ready to rock the world with her powerhouse voice.
Her first song available in digital stores is called "Sandalan," which she recorded with her back-up Apat Band in what is described as an anime-ish Pinoy pop rock track. The recording made it to Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist upon release last December.
"I feel that 'Sandalan' is a representation of a strong, brave and dependable woman who will and can do anything for someone she loves! Whether it’s a person, her passion and her dream. It is a reflection of what I can do as a woman, and it is a song of power and bravery," shared the Pinay beauty with Asian eyes who hails from Bacoor, Cavite.
Noela, who honed her singing as a choir girl before spending some time working as a singer abroad, found her break amidst the pandemic when she met the owner of a live streaming channel called Apat TV who hired her as a regular DJ. As fate would have it, she handed the owner a song she demoed years before, which turned out to be "Sandalan." She was offered help to properly record the piece.
"Sandalan" is a composition by author-musician Yugel Losorata originally recorded by The Voice Kids finalist Angel Andal last year. Further back, the songwriter and Noela met for a band project that didn't push through but ensured the latter heard the song. Life got in the way and the tune went out of Noela's radar until fate brought her back to it.
Noela shared, "I used to listen to pop music like Britney Spears. I remember my uncle bought me a copy of her debut album which contained the songs which I 'memorized' when I was four years old! I also memorized songs by Aegis and Regine Velasquez while being exposed to country music since my father likes to listen to it."
For her experience performing abroad, she has this to say: "Mas maraming nakaka-appreciate ng performers and musicians abroad than here sa atin. Maybe because most Filipinos can sing. Foreigners like to hear soft music not unlike here na kapag hindi mataas ang boses mo, hindi ka makikilala."
On that note, Noela won't have a problem as she does high-pitch singing when necessary. If anything her stint abroad only broadened her perspective about music.
"I feel proud that I chose to work afar to save, to learn, be more independent and to stay out of my comfort zone," she added.
The daughter of a musically inclined father and a mother who manages a small eatery, Noela supports her four siblings Miko, Nicole, Paul, and Heart. Growing up she was exposed to fiesta parties and karaoke challenges.
Back in 2011, she joined a contest in Eat Bulaga called Pambato ng Videoke and won P15,000. Three years later she was adjudged champion in a corporate-sponsored competition. But that was it. In her words, "I wanted more to just perform, not compete." She thought she'd end up in corporate advertising after finishing a degree in public relations at Polytechnic University of the Philippines.
Somehow, the music gods thought otherwise. Before she knew it she was already recording the song she feels is a part of her.
She further expressed, "My friends always support and encourage me to pursue my singing career and I owe it to them that I kept trying. I am totally happy, fulfilled and proud of my career choices."
Make way for one who may be among the next pop rock sensations, Noela Amparo.