Singer Alisah Bonaobra considers it a miracle that one of her records bagged the Inspirational Song of the Year trophy from an award-giving body with a good reputation and mainstream influence. That’s how appreciative she is of the good news, not to mention the song is called, and asks, “Do You Have a Miracle for Me.”
The Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Music, in its 14th edition, handed the citation to Alisah’s song written by A-list songwriter Cecile Azarcon-Inocentes. The track is produced by the San Francisco Bay Area-based RJA Productions, the head of which Rosabella Jao-Arribas has served as Alisah’s ever-supportive manager since the pandemic-triggered lockdown days of the current decade.
“I’m so honored for this recognition at sobrang laking blessing nito para po sa akin,” expressed Alisah who moved to northern California in 2022, a year after the release of the said song.
“Do You Have a Miracle for Me” is a beautiful ballad reminiscent of classic inspirational pop songs that go beyond the trappings of preachy pieces. Well, its composer is behind the enduring “Lift Up Your Hands” popularized by Basil Valdez. Both songs inspire in a way a traditional church song, one that the faithful have become accustomed to, does.
The adored songwriter herself whose classic catalog also includes Kuh Ledesma’s “I Think I’m In Love,” Gary Valenciano’s “Reaching Out,” Chiqui Pineda’s “How Did You Know,” and Martin Nievera’s “Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin” certainly found Alisah’s voice a perfect fit to her composition.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Voice of the Philippines Season 2 runner-up likewise recorded a separate song she penned, called “Faithful.”
Vocally spiritual herself, Alisah noted, “We’re thankful for Ms.Cecile for trusting us with her songs. This award from PMPC is a big boost to my profile. Ibang klase po talaga magbigay ng blessing si God.”
With her X Factor UK stint, where she impressed everyone with her impromptu take of the popular tune “Bang Bang” as a cue, Alisah is enjoying herself performing abroad. Last year she wowed crowds in Germany, while just last February, she entertained people in Guam, a US island territory.
Next month, she will be touring Canada with Bryan Termulo on the following dates: June 7 and 8 (Calgary and Grande Prairie in Alberta), June 28 (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan), and June 29 (Dawson Creek, British Columbia).
“Since I got here in the US, I’ve been doing a lot of shows and I always feel excited seeing people appreciate my presence,” she said.
Alisah has been visible in the Fil-Am community events, performing in intimate shows and sold-out concerts, some of them being promoted by RJA. She recently guested at a Gigi de Lana show in San Francisco.
She is scheduled to headline Emerge, a big concert on July 20 to be staged at the Empress Theatre in (330 Virginia Street) Vallejo, California. The show will also feature the Philippines’ King of R&B Jay R, along with other notable talents who are US-based.
When outside of the spotlight, the remarkable singing contest talent is volunteering in an animal shelter. She is a passionate lover of dogs and cats. She is likewise serving as a Catholic church choir member.
The recording artist whose number of singles just keeps increasing happily gives voice lessons to those with potential. She has started living on her own as she further navigates life in America. She reflected, “I feel blessed that I have a roof on my head while adjusting to life away from the Philippines. You have to be strong, especially when the only choice is to be strong. You need to live in the present.”
The petite singing sensation finds home in inspirational songs as her life is an inspiring story in itself. She was raised through humble means and went through the competition circuit in difficult situations. As talents come and go, her continuing story empowering the voice and charming audiences in and out of the Philippines is some sort of a miracle, while being largely the result of her strength of character and faith in God.
