By Nickie Wang
Broadway is the pinnacle of live theater, and for many performers like Alisah Bonaobra, it’s the ultimate goal in their career.
For a singer who dreams of performing on Broadway, Alisah a deep appreciation for the art of musical theater and a desire to showcase their talent on a grand stage.
“As someone who studied music, I wanted to use the techniques I learned as a classical singer. And as a theatrical performer, I really dream to see myself on Broadway,” Alisah told Manila Standard Entertainment noting Miss Saigon and Les Miserables as her favorite productions.
“I’m already content with my career but somehow people still have dreams that they wanted to fulfill. It’s like going to the next level,” she added.
Meanwhile, the singer was given the opportunity to revive a song originally sung by Angeline Quinto. Her version of “Hanggang Kailan” deserves to be released for good reasons, including the fact that it is essentially the “Composer’s Cut,” which to the song’s creator Joel Mendoza means you have to listen to it to find out why it should be a label that way and discover for yourself that it’s a rendition worthy of everybody’s attention.
It is the latest single from one of the country’s vocally gifted recording artists, released on digital stores on April 21.
“We recorded the track for six hours, with Joel Mendoza as my vocal coach. Sir Joel’s intense body language while we were in the studio all pointed to achieving what’s best for our version,” said Alisah who emphasized that she herself is a fan of Angeline Quinto.
Alisah’s “Hanggang Kailan,” recorded at Wild Grass Studio in Quezon City, is produced by the San Francisco-based RJA Productions, and distributed by mainstream label Star Music PH.
The song originally came out as a breakthrough composition for Joel during the Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs songfest in 2014, with its interpretation by Angeline becoming among the notable hits in that edition of the contest.
Joel likewise commends Alisah for her competence in keeping up with the high demands of “Hanggang Kailan” that they recorded free from the industry-abiding limitations set forth by a songwriting tilt. This new version is touted to be a masa favorite – a singer’s gift to fans who made her casual, live rendition of the famous track viral.
“Magaling si Alisah. She is vocally good and there’s excellent communication and understanding while we’re recording,” he noted.
The runner-up in The Voice of the Philippines in 2014 and likewise a remarkable participant at the X Factor UK three years later, Alisah has been releasing a variety of well-produced digital singles since her would-be manager Rosabella Jao-Arribas flew from the US prior to the pandemic to personally express her vision for her career.
Alisah’s originals, written by premier Filipino tunesmiths led by Cecile Azarcon, along with her version of the seasoned songwriter’s “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin,” showcased her wide vocal range and amiable style.
Alisah shared, “How lucky I am to be an artist of RJA that every opportunity I’m given is a blessing I want to share with the listening public.”
The singer who describes herself as a fur mom, owing to her multiple cats and dogs, is currently doing shows in the United States, and nearly completing a podcast of 12 episodes filmed inside the state-of-the-art California Talk Studio of V81 Radio Los Angeles.
Joel is a star in his own right, a certified hitmaker who was recently given a tribute in ASAP, and whose colorful life, both as an accomplished songwriter and a top corporate executive who survived life-threatening ordeals, is featured on programs by Net 25 and GMA-7.
Simply put, the collaboration that produced the must-hear cover of “Hanggang Kailan” is a match made in heaven.