‘In Dulce’s darkest and most challenging days, she has always been quick to say that she is saved by the Lord with His gift of music.’
BY NOEL D. FERRER
It was not an easy show to mount. “Asia’s Timeless Diva” Dulce, after the pandemic, just emerged from a challenging period of her life.
It was good collaborating with director Calvin Neria who knew exactly how to handle the production and the artists, including the main star, Dulce.
“Dulce…Solid” at the Music Museum started with a video outlining everything Dulce had to go through in the whole 50 years of her music career. It was a clean sweep. Heartfelt.
The artist opened with “I’m Still Standing.”
“And yes, I am here. I’m still standing before you. And I am soooo grateful. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!,” she said. And her grateful heart echoed in her early rendition of the Carpenter’s “Sometimes.”
She proceeded with the Diana Ross tribute with songs like “All of My Life,” “Touch Me In the Morning,” “Do You Know (Theme From Mahogany)”, “It’s My Turn” and “McArthur’s Park.”
These are the songs she used to sing in her youth, with lyrics she may not really have understood but sang anyway, just to make ends meet.
Then Dulce came face to face with her discoverer, mentor George Canseco, who composed such classics as “Salamin ng Buhay,” “Kastilyong Buhangin,” and “Saan Darating ang Umaga.”
As if written for her, Dulce recited National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario’s “Proseso,” which goes, “Kung may matá, magmasid;/Kung may taynga, makinig/Bago sundin ang bibig.”
Then very aptly, Dulce proceeded with the last lines of “Salamin ng Buhay”: “Bago tuluyang mawala/Aninag mo sa salamin/Matitiyak mo ba kaya/Ang iyong mukha ay napansin/Dahil sa buting nagawa na taimtim at totoo/Minsan ma’y di ka sumama/Sa salamin ng buhay mo/Wala kang taong nabangga/Sa salamin ng buhay mo.”
With the violin solo of Merjohn Lagaya, the number was just so powerful that it moved people to tears.
From iconic OPM songs, Dulce followed up by performing a piece from her ultimate pop idol, Barbra Streisand. She rendered “Evergreen,” eliciting approval from the audience.
“Fresh like an evergreen, and fresh from our challenges and struggles as a family, I can say that music has saved our lives somehow, and I am just so happy to be singing with them onstage for the first time – my beloved daughters Jemimah and Jedidah,” said Dulce, ushering the very intense Broadway suite which had “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Journey To The Past,” “I Know Him So Well,” “I Still Believe” and of course, the iconic “Memory.”
And then culling from her real life experiences Dulce said: “Hindi lang miminsan sa buhay natin na gusto nating mag pause. Tumigil sandali. O kung matindi na talaga – ‘yung bumitaw na.
“Lesson learned: Let go and let God … because as seen through my life, He knows what’s best for us and His ways are always better than ours.”
Then Dulce and her daughters belted out, “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw.” A real show stopper!
“Malaya na kaming gawin ito!” Dulce exclaimed after the numberc– and yes – they should be doing this more often!
As colorful as Dulce’s life were the movies she was involved in – either as an actress or as a singer of beautiful movie theme songs, like Manuel “Fyke” Cinco’s “Dulce Amor, Ina” in 1978 starring Lorna Tolentino and Eddie Garcia.
To this, we say, be careful what you sing, as it might just happen to be the song of your life.
The next movie theme tested Dulce’s voice. It is the theme for “Kukulog, Kikidlat sa Tanghaling Tapat” (1978), directed by Gil Portes and starring Christopher de Leon and Pilar Pilapil.
Then came the movies with strong women’s roles, with theme songs composed by the great Willy Cruz. They are “Mahawi Man ang Ulap” (1984) starring Hilda Koronel, Christopher de Leon, Amy Austria, Gloria Romero, Gina Alajar, directed by no less than Laurice Guillen, and the obscure but searing and grand theme of “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit,” directed by the late Maryo J. Delos Reyes and from where the “Diamond Star” Maricel Soriano’s iconic lines “Ayoko ng mabaho. Ayoko ng masikip. Ayoko ng putik” came from.
The next song had a funny behind-the-scenes story where Fernando Poe Jr. had to supervise Dulce’s recording with no less than the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the then Cinema Audio recording studio. She sang the theme of “Eseng ng Tondo” (1997), which was written by Pablo Vergara.
“Randam na ramdam ko ang aksyon dito na para akong hinahabol ng kabayo na ang sakay ay walang iba kundi si FPJ mismo – ang ‘Hari ng Pelikulang Pilipino’,” related Dulce.
The last movie theme song really cemented Dulce’s name in OPM history. Dulce’s version was used in the very popular television anthology with the same title which lasted for more than three decades – anchored by no less than Ma’am Charo Santos -Concio. Written by Constancio de Guzman, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” is simply unforgettable.
Dulce’s next song, “We Live on Borrowed Time,” is a good reminder to live life to the fullest, as the Lord wills it, while we still have the most precious gift of time!
Then Dulce went on to introduce the young artists whom she wanted to feature and support in their first shot to stardom – Elisha and VR – an act which is part of Dulce’s mission of giving back and paying it forward to the music industry that has been so good to her.
Then another high and emotional point of the program was when Dulce sang our requested song, “Leaves,” by Ben & Ben. Why Dulce is always moved to tears with this song is something very personal, which may very well be on its way to being resolved – in time.
Then came “the” Rey Valera and his hits – “Malayo Pa ang Umaga,” “Kumusta Ka,” “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko,” and “Maging Sino Ka Man” – familiar songs which had the audience singing. There were also laughs as Sir Rey punctuated the performance with interesting quips and anecdotes. Dulce and Rey truly make a good performing pair!
Of course, Dulce made “Solid” extra special because it’s for one night only, and serendipitously, the concert actually fell on International Women’s Day. She went on to sing “I Will Survive” and “No More Tears.”
And when things get tough, there is always comfort in going home, and certainly, Dulce was most at home singing “Matud Nila” and “Usahay” that traced her roots and grounded her with her core Visayan audience. These were followed by inspirational songs “The Power of Your Love” and “Healing,” plus her version of Cecile Azarcon’s “How Did You Know” and her own anthems – the re-arranged “Paano” and “Ako ang Nagwagi,” the 2024 version.
Music can really heal.
In Dulce’s darkest and most challenging days, she has always been quick to say that she is saved by the Lord with His gift of music.
Some love songs are best sang not just to people, but to the one God that make us live and love, and it takes on a deeper meaning when Dulce does that and offers it to the Lord, our Savior and our solid strength!
Truly, this “Solid” concert is one big prayer – of thanksgiving, of hope and of triumph against all odds. It’s the perfect Easter story that needs to be told and performed over and over again.
Do I hear repeats soon? Looking forward!
