Two Asian singing stars, Malaysian Min Yasmin and Thai ToR Saksit, simply found the right Filipino collaborators in releasing new recordings, tapping seasoned songwriter Vehnee Saturno and actress-singer Maja Salvador.
Min, labeled “Soundtrack Singer” in Malaysia for her numerous TV series and film soundtrack credits, recorded renditions of Vehnee’s compositions “Bakit Pa,” “In The Way You Love Me,” and “Kahit Konting Awa,” the last definitely to catch the attention of Noranians as it was originally the theme to the now-classic Flor Contemplacion movie starring the Superstar. All three songs are part of her 14-track debut solo album called “Pangarap.” She’s a linguist and found Tagalog “great to sing in.”
“I always watch Filipino movies and series. Filipinos are very energetic and like to express feelings when they like a particular song,” shared the belter described by Vehnee as “sounding like Toni Braxton with a little bit of Adele.”
In her album sleeve, Min said of Vehnee, “It is such an honor for me to work with the Philippines’ premier hitmaker.”
Since 2015, Philippines has become Min’s second home, especially that the owner of Julfekar Music Malaysia has Tausug maternal lineage. She fashionably wears a turban and believes it is a vital visual detail that makes her different. “I have so many collection of this and somehow it is my style and strategy so that people can easily identify me.”
To be released both here and in Malaysia, “Pangarap” also contains songs with Tagalog lyrics by Raz Itum, a member of the band Frio. Three of the album tracks are sung in Tausug, Malay, and Sama.
In 2015, Min did a full-length collaborative album, titled 2 Voices, with Filipino singer Nikki Bacolod. Their single “Sa Iyo” gained consistent airplay in top FM stations.
Having done shows in Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi, she’s looking forward to doing a concert in Manila.
“This album sums all the sacrifice, sweat, and smiles in this great journey of memories, a dream-come-true for me,” she added.In a separate story of Asian synergy, singer-pianist ToR found an ally in Maja whom he jokingly noted as being “always mad on TV,” referring to her teleserye exposure. By the time they met in Thailand last year to record his composition “Falling Into You,” a sweet pretty lady who loves to laugh came on board.
Recently released by Philippines’ Ivory Music & Video and Thailand’s Bec-Tero Music, with Tourism Authority of Thailand as a key partner, the piano-based ballad song is anticipated to become a hit. For a few days in early February, ToR was in Manila doing radio rounds, mall shows and TV. appearances.
“I found my voice in this song,” said Maja who continues to prove herself as a capable singer.
“Falling Into You,” released in eight territories including New Zealand and Australia, is now digitally available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music.