INQUIRER EXCLUSIVE
The ballads of Boyet
First posted 09:03pm (Mla time) Oct 25, 2005
By Bayani San Diego
Inquirer News Service
Editor's Note: Published on Page A2-1 of the October 26, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
NOW IS THE RIGHT time,” says Christopher “Boyet” de Leon of his newest endeavor, a collection of “classic” theme songs from his past movies.
The CD also celebrates his 30th anniversary in show biz, since making a debut in and winning a Famas Best Actor for Lino Brocka’s “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.”
Although he is more known as a Drama King, music is in his blood—dad Gil de Leon and mom Lilia Dizon, as well as sisters Pinky and Lara Melissa, are all singers.
Moreover, his earliest training was in musical theater.
“For my first play, ‘Godspell,’ Peta (Philippine Educational Theater Association) required me to take voice lessons,” Boyet recalls. “I played Jesus in that play. Later on, I co-starred with Juno Henares in ‘They’re Playing Our Song.’ ”
He headlined concerts with the rest of the Bad Bananas, Edgar Mortiz, Johnny Delgado and the late Jay Ilagan.
He also sang in 1970s movies like “Tisoy” and “Kung Mangarap Ka’t Magising.”
“In ‘Kung Mangarap,’
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I played a songwriter,” he recounts. “In ‘Kakaba Kaba Ka Ba?’ I was a band leader. In ‘Tinimbang ang Langit,’ I played a composer in love with Kuh Ledesma.”
For “Tinimbang ang Langit,” Boyet was included in the movie’s soundtrack. “I also guested in the soundtracks of my movies with Sharon Cuneta [“Bituing Walang Ningning”] and Regine Velasquez [“Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka”]. I even did a long-playing album with [ex-wife] Nora Aunor in 1975 [“In Love,” under Vicor]. But I’ve never done a solo album.”
As early as four years ago, the actor was already toying with the idea of recording a solo album.
Album producer Eloisa Matias recalls: “Last year, Boyet paid for the studio time of the first three songs he recorded—‘Sisikat Din Ako’ [from “Kakaba”], ‘Hanggan’ [from “Dekada ’70”] and ‘Sana’y Ikaw na Nga’ [from the movie of the same title, with Vina Morales].”
He didn’t assume that just because he’s a big star, recording companies would be falling all over themselves to sign him up. Just like any aspiring singer, he cut a demo which was sent to at least three major labels.
“Two hours after we had submitted the demo tape, Eugene Villaluz and Baby Gil of Viva were on the phone,” Eloisa says. “They wanted to produce his album.”
Soon enough, Boyet inked a three-album deal with Viva Records. “The movie theme songs will have a Book One and Book Two. The third album will consist of inspirational songs,” the actor says.
He also had the chance to try out the CD’s concept on a recent visit to the US for a series of concerts.
“The audience enjoyed themselves,” Boyet says. “While singing the old theme songs, excerpts from the films were flashed onscreen. It was as if they were reminiscing with me.”
In a lot of ways, he considers the CD, to be released in December, “a dream come true.”
He singles out “Bituing Walang Ningning” as the most challenging.
“It’s hard to sing,” he explains. “I think only real singers can give it justice. My hats off to Mega [Sharon Cuneta] because she’s the original.”
Sharon says the late filmmaker Lino Brocka once compared Boyet’s voice to Sammy Davis Jr.’s—brimming with soul and emotion.
“You’ll hear it in this album,” Eloisa says. “In one song, there’s a Bono vibe. In another, Martin Nievera because Boyet is basically a balladeer. Very dramatic.”
His being an actor is his main strength as a singer, says Eloisa. “The way he delivers the lyrics. The way he stresses each word. He’s a perfectionist.”
