Encountering an American woman singing in Tagalog is already a rarity, but it becomes even more impressive when she demonstrates versatility by effortlessly handling songs across various genres.
Back in 2021, Las Vegas-based singer Sahara amused Filipino listeners with her debut cover of “Dahil Ba Sa Kanya,” a pop ballad popularized by Philippines’ Queen of Soul Jaya. Five songs later, she had given us two Christmas songs, a stunning cover of Alicia Keys’ “If I Ain’t Got You, an acoustic Tagalog gem called “Kabiyak,” and her latest output released just last June – a modern pop ditty coolly titled “Pakyut.”
If being able to sing in Filipino makes Sahara interesting for most born-and-raised Filipinos and those with Pinoy lineage at least, that she can handle a variety of song types gives her an extra edge that equates to respect from the eclectics. It’s always an advantage when you have a broader sense of identity in terms of musical taste and expression.
“I first fell in love with Jaya’s song, and then I went my own route while keeping my appreciation for OPM (Original Pilipino Music) intact. I love different kinds of music,” said Sahara in a face-to-face chat we had when I visited her and her husband Michael Todd Glazier in their resplendent home.
They are a sweet couple of dedicated professionals, blessed with a state-of-the-art home recording studio specially built to deliver Sahara’s music in crisp and radiant form.
A big help to their cause is the omnipresence of Dennis Quila, a seasoned Filipino musical arranger, and songwriter whom they found to have relocated to Las Vegas. He regularly teaches Sahara, who is a linguist, by the way, the nuances of the Filipino language. He spelled the word pa-cute as “pakyut,” or in a way a Pinoy taho peddler or a candy vendor would prefer to.
Sahara noted, “I just want to show that side of me, that I can be serious but I can be cute.”
With a fun track that opens with the words, “One day isang araw/ I saw you nakita kita,” she has shown that she is a multi-faceted talent. “There’s more to me than just one lane,” she said, figuratively.
Asked about what she appreciates most in Filipinos, she mentioned how we rightly channel our energy to express proper emotions and display pleasant outward behavior. She shared, “Filipinos are friendly, kind, and very nice people. The food, the culture really resonate strongly with me.”
Sahara plans to visit the Philippines soon, perhaps next year in time for the release of an album she’s working on with her superb support system. She’s committed to recording originals, some of these she is happily writing herself, and a couple of carefully picked covers for good measure. In the meantime, fans can savor her cuteness in “Pakyut.”
Just like the global appeal of Nevada’s premiere city Las Vegas, Sahara is someone to really look into and see what happens. The day I dropped by to say hello to her and Mike, and Dennis, the so-called Sin City was baking under a heat dome. Thus, the super cool vibe I felt while in their presence was a welcome atmosphere.
