Janella Salvador explains why she interpreted a “hugot” song so expressively

Janella joins Himig Handog for the fourth time!

PHOTOS: Melo Balingit

Janella joins Himig Handog for the fourth time!

Singer-actress Janella Salvador returned to the Himig Handog 2019 songwriting competition for the fourth time; this time interpreting the song “Nung Tayo Pa,” by songwriters Rex Torremoro and Elmar Jann Bolaño.

Janella’s first stint in the said competition dates back to year 2014, when she interpreted the song “Mahal Kita Pero,” penned by Melchora Mabilog. 

She was again tapped to interpret the song “Mananatili” with local musician Marlo Mortel in 2016 composed by Francis Louis Salazar, and then, the following year, 2017,  she sang “Wow na Feelings,” for songwriter Karlo Zabala.

And with her fourth time joining the Himig Handog contest, The Killer Bride star is already considered to be the competition’s so-called Princess. 

During the Himig Handog media launch held yesterday, August 15, Janella reacted to her being crowned as the Himig Handog Princess. 

“Of course, I feel super blessed kasi ibig sabihin n’on pag nakakarinig sila ng kanta naiisip nila ako,” she gushes. “Naiisip nila na, ‘ay bagay ito sa kanya.’ So, ibig sabihin parang they believe na kaya kong i-interpret ’yong kanta.

Despite being an interpreter for several times, Janella admitted that she still feels pressured to give justice to the song she’s interpreting. 

She says: “And totoo ’yong sinabi na pressure talaga para sa amin [interpreters] din kasi sa totoo lang hindi naman namin competition ito, competition talaga ito ng mga songwriters.

Yong pressure sa amin is mai-interpret ko ba ito to the full extent ’yong kanta. Magagawa ko ba ’yong best ko para magustuhan no’ng nagsulat tsaka no’ng mga tao para marinig talaga nila ’yong kanta kung paano dapat nila marinig.

Comparing all her Himig Handog song interpretations, some people noticed that her voice and vocal range varies depending on the song that she’s singing. 

“Feeling ko kasi ’yong kantang in-offer sa’kin this time, it’s very different from all the other songs that I sang before…” Janella explains about ‘Nung Tayo Pa.’
Kasi first breakup song ko siya. Second, parang medyo ballad din ’yong dating niya. Power ballad and heartfelt.” 

The 21-year-old Kapamilya artist said she wasn’t aware that her voice sounded different while singing “Nung Tayo Pa” compared to her past interpretations. She added that she was just expressing how painful the song is.

“So sabi ko...masaya naman ako habang kinakanta ko siya,” laughs Janella. “Pero kailangan maramdaman ko ’yong pain habang kinakanta ko siya. So ang ginawa ko na lang ninamnam ko ’yong kanta habang nire-record ko siya. Hindi ko naman napansin na iba ’yong boses ko.” 

Aside from Janella, local musicians such as singer-actor Daniel Padilla, singer-songwriter Moira Dela Torre, acoustic balladeer TJ Monterde, Tawag ng Tanghalan champion Janine Berdin join Himig Handog 2019 as song interpreters to some of the top 12 song entries. All entries are vying for the Best Song recognition on the Grand Finals, which will happen this coming October 13 live on “ASAP Natin ‘To.”


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