Jolina Magdangal

Friday 22nd Jan

One problem that I encountered as I went from one press conference or album launch to another, was that I often knew little or nothing about where we were going. Even when Pilar told me where we were going, I often had no knowledge of the stars involved so it meant nothing to me anyway.  After a while it was nice to be constantly surprised, but it didn't always prepare me for what I encountered, or give me any idea of who or what I was going to see.

Jolina's album launch was one such occasion.  We entered a bustling shopping centre on a busy main street and descended the steps inside. The first thing I saw were the crowds of mainly young girls huddled about 20 deep around a large cordoned off area. Pilar must have flashed her press pass or something as we weaved our way through this throng and were allowed to step over the barrier. We were handed a press pack and walked round to the front of the stage, where a brightly lit narrow stage announced the imminent arrival of Jolina.

We ate the press meal, Greenwich pizza pasta - they were obviously a big sponsor as their advertising was all around me - including a large TV screen replaying the commercials close to the stage. Then a master of ceremonies appeared in the press area just behind me and did a good job of whipping the crowd up into excitement. A few lucky fans received some freebies too. At this point there seemed to be thousands of young fans surrounding us. Now I know why the stars can get so nervous before a performance...

As an appetiser some dancers came on stage (I missed their names) and performed some high power dance routines to high power dance music. They must have gone down well because they came back again for an encore.

Finally, after what seemed an age of waiting, Jolina was announced onto the stage in a roar of cheering. She instantly broke into song, and it was at this point that I realised the difference between Jolina and the sort of teen idols that make the charts in England. Basically, she can sing ;)

I don't just mean she can hold down a tune - anyone can do that (even me - just ;), but she had a clear, ringing, full voice that even through relatively modest PA sound system filled the whole centre. I've never been a huge romantic ballad fan, but Jolina is as good a singer of these as I've heard.

More than any other performer I saw during my visits to the Philippines, Jolina was relaxed and confident and had her audience behind her right from the start. She shook hands with fans and accepted a rose from one, which she then held with her for the duration of the song.

Jolina sang quite a number of songs from her album, and they all went down a storm with her fans. It was during one number that I looked up through the many levels of the shopping mall and realised that every balcony of every level was covered with spectators. Whether they had all come to see Jolina or whether some were just curious shoppers didn't really matter, they were all enjoying the event. it was certainly an experience I won't forget.

The interview for Showbiz Lingo Plus took place on the steps by the side of the stage. Quite often with these interviews they seemed to come in the natural order of things, with everyone who wants to see the stars politely waiting their turn. On this occasion, though, there were thousands of eager fans, and you could feel the impatience as a desk was being set up on stage awaiting the autograph-hunting fans.

Jolina seemed as at home with the interview as she does on stage, and despite everything that was vying for her attention was very relaxed, and even found time to pose for a photo with Pilar for me.

I was also impressed with the camera crew at this point too. After seeming to disappear during Jolina's performance, at the right moment they were there and ready, and the interview was taped very quickly and professionally amidst what sometimes seemed like organised chaos.

After the interview Jolina was escorted to the table put on stage for her to see what would no doubt be a long line of fans and admirers wanting autographs, photos, or maybe just a quick word with their idol.

As I was lining up for this shot Pilar told me I could go up on the stage to get closer if I wanted, but I took this shot because it seemed to show that the stars that all these people come to see and admire are, after all, just people.

Jolina seemed incredibly small and vulnerable perched on that stage all alone, and I imagine I would find it a little oppressive to have such attention upon me. But even from here you can see that if someone has the right confidence and personality to go with their talent, then their stardom comes as a natural result of that, and the thing that their fans are drawn to is not so much that the person is a star, but that the star is a person.

Jolina manages to fill a simple stage full of music and simple, romantic imagery 

Thursday 21st Jan

index page

Jan-Feb 1999

Saturday 23rd Jan