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After a long break from the Filipino entertainment industry, Rachel Alejandro is back and better than ever with her next album By Request a compilation of her most
requested songs.
“My new album will have songs chosen by my fans. It includes Fine Fineline one of the most requested songs. It will be released this year,"said the diva, who is currently
touring the UAE.
Alejandro has performed many shows in America and more recently, in Spain and the Philippines.
“I was planning to migrate to America, so I stayed there for a while and did some shows. But as my first love is musical plays, I had to go back to Manila to be a part of Avenue Q, a musical,"she said.
Avenue Q is best described as a cross between Sesame Street and Rent. Alejandro and Aiza Seguerra (an actress-singer) all together in Avenue Q. Now, they are planning
to do a series of concert tours later in the year.
Alejandro is the first celebrity to win the Singing Bee game show in the Philippines, worth one million pesos (Dh80,600).
Singing Bee a combination of karaoke singing and spelling bee-style competition requires contestants to recall the lyrics of songs.
Had Alejandro continued to be a part of the competition, she could have won another million pesos. Being in the recording business for a long time and blessed with a very
sharp memory is what gives Alejandro “the edge”.
But Dubai beckoned and Alejandro gave up her throne as defending champion. She said, “I had to say goodbye to perform concerts here."
Revere
Alejandro's takes her career cues from her dad, Hajji Alejandro, a pop icon from the '70s. “My dad is my greatest influence; he introduced me to music and taught me a
lot,"she said.
And claims the secret behind her powerful and expressive voice is revealed: “My dad's genes. It's good to be Hajji's daughter. I have practiced singing a lot since I was a
kid,"she said.
Alejandro idolises Martin Nievera, the Concert King of the Philippines and a great balladeer. She also looks up to Gary Valenciano, aka The Total Entertainer, a Filipino musician, composer, actor and producer popularly known as Mr Pure Energy for his energetic dance.
She said, “I idolise Martin and Gary. I love Martin. He has been my mentor since I was a teenager. When I was 18, Martin directed my concert. He is one of the best coaches in the industry."
Alejandro loves to hang out at the beach and gym for that perfectly toned and tanned body.
“My boyfriend (Philip Palma, who is not in entertainment) is an extreme gym buff. I go to the gym three times a week with a trainer. If I don't have the time, I just watch and follow the DVD work-out with my lightweights at home. My first favourite is hanging out by the beach, followed by the gym,"she said.
Alejandro and Philip have been friends for about eight years, and have been together for two and half years. But no, they're not tying the knot yet.
“I met Philip through a group of friends. He is very caring and spends time with me, which is very important in a relationship. Although he doesn't like to travel a lot, I put
pressure on him, and then all's okay,"she said.
Fashion statement
“Philip's saying that there is no point [to marriage]. It is unnecessary and outdated. As long as we are in love, everything will be fine. I think the way it is, is fine. I just go with
the flow. Although it's every girl's dream is to wear the white dress, and the ceremony and celebration it's all just formalities. There is no piece of paper that will keep us
together if it's not working anymore,"she said.
Although Alejandro is not fashion conscious, she carries herself well with elegance and sophistication.
“I don't follow any fashion icons. I admit I'm not a very fashionable person, unlike my best friend Geneva Cruz [another renowned Filipino diva], who is so fashionable and
who's got the body of a model. I've got several dresses, like flight attendant uniform, which I consider work clothes for the show. I'm not into brand names.
The cheaper the better, as long as I am comfortable wearing the dress."
Besides recording and concert tours, Alejandro is busy managing her natural health food stores. With her sister Barney, a chef, Alejandro has started the Stuffed Desal food
kiosk in Market Market, the Sexy Chef Cafe along Katipunan in St. Ignatius Village, and their own catering business specialising in the South Beach Diet.
“Mostly, our customers are celebrities ordering healthy food diet packs. As our target market is health buffs, we plan to extend the business to gyms,"she said.
Acknowledgement
Alejandro has had so many followers for a long time and now wants to give back something special to her fans.
“When I am really tired and sometimes feel like a robot, the audience refreshes me on stage and deserve to get the best. My voice should be top-notch. My audience is my biggest inspiration; I don't want to let them down. I always give my best to them,"she said.
Alejandro added, “I thanked everyone for all their support all these years. I'll ask all you guys to suggest whatever songs you would like me to sing on my album By Request at rachelalejandro.com. I hope you'll support my album and keep supporting original Filipino music.”
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