Mama is the ultimate diva. She can sing, dance and play an instrument. I didn’t know she played the piano until a few months before she passed away. We were in Tito Pons’ house and she started playing. It was amazingly shocking to me. Growing up, there was always music in the house. Hindi nya sinisita kung malakas yung tugtog. She would host multiplex na naging videoke at home sessions with our friends. Nagsasayaw sila ni Kuya Bong every Sunday morning while listening to RJ radio station, the Beatles vs. Elvis hits. Mama was the one who encouraged me to join the church choir and it was her legacy to me. When we were in Cavite, pagdating ng Sunday night makikinig na kami sa Wave at Magic soul decompression sessions. We would be side by side just listening to the radio, each with her own thoughts. She had a beautiful singing voice and would harmonize with us. We will always be grateful for her gift of song.
You Needed Me by Anne Murray
This was her song. Kinakanta nya ito sa videoke and the lyrics truly described her. I had a Boyzone album that contained a cover version and she would listen to it too. Ito din yung kanta kapag magkakasama kaming pamilya at biglang tutugtog sa radyo, alam namin si Mama yun.
O Sacred Heart and Immaculate Mother
She’s a devotee of Sacred Heart of Jesus and kapag nasa house yung statue, she would always sing this during novena. Ito din yung kinanta namin on her deathbed.
Salve Regina
This was the song that she sings after the novena to Nuestra Senora De Guia every Saturday in Ermita church.
Moon River by Audrey Hepburn
Another videoke staple for her and such a classic.
Shalala Lala by Venga Boys
The family dancing to this tune in Bel-Air is a core memory.
You Were There by Southern Sons
Favorite nya ito kapag kinakanta ko sa multiplex.
Just Say I Love Her – Engelbert Humperdinck
I was browsing her notebook a few years ago and sinulat nya ung lyrics of this song.