Karla Estrada (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Filipinos love singing. In fact, there’s nary a gathering around these parts without the ubiquitous karaoke machine. While most do it for fun, some consider it their passion. A few even make a living out of it, including actress Karla Estrada.
In a recent press conference, Karla, a single mom, shared how singing enabled her to support her brood back in the day. She said any singing engagement would do, even if it meant singing at wakes.
“Ang importante kasi sa’kin, hindi baleng maliit ang venue basta marinig nila na ang galing mong kumanta,” Karla said.
Karla fell in love with singing at nine years old. Since then, she has been dreaming of staging a grand concert at a big venue.
Well, her dream is finally coming true. Karla will hold a major concert titled “Her Highness, The Queen Mother Karla Estrada in Concert” on April 30, 8 p.m. at Kia Theatre. She dedicates the show to her children, Margaret, Carmela, Jose, and teen sensation Daniel Padilla.
“’Yung ‘Queen Mother’ na ’yan ay nangangahulugan na Queen ako for my children,” she said. “I believe na ang mga nanay ay Queen para sa mga anak nila.”
Karla admitted she did not readily accept the show when Cornerstone Concerts offered it to her.
“Kasi wala akong practice, ang tagal ko nang hindi kumakanta ng maraming set, pa-isa-isa lang,” she recalled. “Iba kasi ’pag maraming kanta na pine-perform, endurance kasi ’yun eh. Dapat kayanin mo, hindi ka hihingalin sa pagkanta…”
She eventually agreed to it thinking “bakit hindi ko ibibigay ang talent ko sa mga taong nagtiwala at nagsabing ipo-produce nila ’ko at naglalabas ng perang pinaghirapan nila para lang sa’kin?”
Karla promised the three-hour concert will be full of fun and laughter.
“Siguradong mag-e-enjoy ang lahat,” she quipped.
Her special guests include Vice Ganda and “Your Face Sounds Familiar” season 1 contenders. Producers are also planning to tap the other female cast members of the film “First Time… Like A Virgin” namely Sunshine Cruz, Jacky Foster and Shirley Fuentes.
Note the film was instrumental in launching Karla’s acting career.
Asked if she has any “dream guests” for the concert, Karla picked her four children.
“’Yung mga girls ko na si Margaret at Carmela sinabi nila sa’kin na they want to sing with me, so titignan namin kung ano ang pwede naming kantahin mag-i-ina,” she said. (MNS)