When your vocal coach informed you that you are a soprano and not an alto, which you long accepted as your vocal capacity, that sounds extra positive. It is a realization that you can beautifully hit higher notes for real.
That essentially happened to and has given Filipina singer Adjeng more confidence in pursuing further her musical journey grounded on years of professional experience both in live gigging and proper recording.
Years back as frontwoman, she had albums with Sipol and Wink released under GMA Records. On Spotify you can check her sing relaxing versions of Wilson Philip’s “Hold On” and the original “Half-hearted,” among others.
“I am learning how to maximize my vocal range even more. Love that there is still so much room to grow and learn even after all these years,” expressed the comebacking act initially known under her maiden name Adrienne Sarmiento.
Family, motherhood, and some fine time off from music’s limelight stage gave her the somewhat necessary break. One can sense how happy her married life is, with her use of dash-Buenaventura in social media reflecting that pride. Many singing artists do get that added bloom and more inspired look after getting married.
Last month, Adjeng formally began her singing rebirth with a benefit show held at the famed 19 East bar in Paranaque City. It’s a springboard for more special shows, functions, and events.
She declared, “Praise God, we were able to raise funds to provide toiletry kits and personal water bottles for 120 street children from Payatas.”
The Nov. 18 gig featured as special guests the award-winning songwriter Toto Sorioso, singer-actress Lilet, Luchie Huang (of Passage Band), and now-rock queens in their own right Barbie Almalbis and Kitchie Nadal.
Even with such a notable line-up of support performers, it was an evening that saw Adjeng in full command owing to her new-found voice and confidence. If this decade is a strong showcase of Filipino women empowering themselves whether in beauty pageants or local music scene, she’s one embracing that evident sense of strength. And mind you, she’s just revealing the tip of an iceberg.
She said with excitement, “My band AdJunDie (with drummer/percussionist Junjun Regalado and guitar player Ardie de Guzman) is getting together again and excited to have more shows. We want to collaborate on more original materials apart from our AdJunDie-fied covers from the ‘80s,’90s, 2000s, and even a few current hits.”
“Singing has an even greater purpose for me now. Excited to catch up and collaborate!” she stressed.
Adjeng may have yet to prove her full worth as a singer. But with a tight team of musicians committed to back her up and an extra lift in her singing, there is no denying she is up for a thrilling ride ahead, likely even more than what she had before.
It’s a good sign that she began her new path with a successful show for a cause. That’s singing in high spirit and with a lot of heart.
