After 30 years in show business, more than 300 concerts, numerous awards and 18 albums, Kuh Ledesma still had an unfulfilled dream. And that dream came true for Kuh just over two weeks ago: her first, newly released Gospel album.
Flying into Los Angeles last week, the Philippines’ top diva brought the first two thousand copies of her new album to be introduced in the US, even before it was launched in the Philippines.
In town for a Christmas concert entitled The Gift, Kuh talked excitedly about her new album during the press conference held last week at Noy Pitz Grill Restaurant in Glendale. “I have been wanting to come out with a Gospel album for so long but there was always an album or shows that got in the way. So, now, thank God, I finally did it, and it’s a dream come true,” said the beautiful diva.
Kuh’s Gospel album, The Fragrance of Worship, is a unique collection of not only songs but her personal testimonies as well.
“In the album, I share about my personal story, my journey and my relationship with our Lord Jesus. I know this will help a lot of people, so don’t just get one for yourself, but also for your family and friends—anyone who needs the Lord,” said Kuh, who has been outspoken about her relationship with the Lord Jesus.
A major crowd-drawer anywhere she performs, Kuh leads in The Gift, which also stars multi-awarded singer Louie Reyes, outstanding saxophonist Ner De Leon, and Christian artist and well-known tenor, Edward Granadosin. Produced by JIR Foundation in cooperation with the LA First Filipino Church of the Nazarene and Advanced Aesthetics by Dr.Venia Javellana, the concert will be held on Friday,December 2, 2011 at 7:30pm, in the LA First Church of the Nazarene, 3401 W.3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90020.
Explaining the concert’s title, Kuh said, “We called it The Gift, referring to the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. It is a gift so priceless, the gift of salvation. Actually, it’s the best gift I have ever received. None can equal what He has given me and has done in my life. Through the relationship I have with Jesus, I have had other wonderful relationships, other blessings brought to my life.”
The fundraising concert will benefit Christian pastors and missionaries and their families. “We are doing this for a good cause. And so when you watch the show, you will also be giving a gift to pastors and missionaries, the servants of God who need our help in the Philippines. Remember, in this season of giving, it is more blessed to give than to receive,” said Kuh.
The Gift is the first fundraising concert of JIR Foundation, a 501 3c organization, meaning an American tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. According to Henry Chen, “JIR Foundation was formed five years ago to help disciple makers make disciples; to help families of pastors and missionaries, mostly in the Philippines, and also some in Cambodia and Thailand. JIR has a double meaning—one is “Jesus is Risen”, and the other is short for ‘Jehovah Jaire, the God who Provides.’
JIR has been helping 80 pastors and missionaries, but because of the bad economy, we have not been able to support that many now pastors. Kuh has been gracious to accept our invitation for her to be one of the Board of Directors.” Aside from Henry and his wife, Monica, the other founders of JIR Foundation are Pastor Edwin Ormeo, and Pastor Genovevo Lubaton. One of JIR’s recipients is Sarah Balabagan.
Earlier this year, Kuh marked her 30th year in showbiz industry, which includes more than 300 concerts, numerous awards in the Philippine music scene, and more than 18 albums in the local recording industry. She’s the first Filipino singer to be the recipient of the Salem Music Awards in March 1989. In 1997, she released an international debut album entitled Precious, a collaboration of the best American and Filipino songwriters, arrangers and musicians.
Her singing career began when she joined Lastiko, then the Ensalada band in Bacolod while she was still in college taking up Nursing. Kuh and bandmates Toto Gentica and Jet Montelibano later went to Manila and formed the Music and Magic band. It was her very successful stint performing with Music & Magic which proved to be pivotal to her career. The strong presence of the group in the live circuit paved the way for Kuh to snag the lead role in Alice Reyes’ pop ballet, Rama Hari. She eventually went solo with her first hit song Dito Ba.
Kuh is known for her lavish concept shows, putting up solo concerts in venues like the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Araneta Coliseum, PICC and Folk Arts Theater in the 80’s during a time when singers shunned large venues because they were difficult to fill.
She launched an all-Filipino concert, Ako Ay Pilipino (1982) at the CCP which featured a repertoire of ethnic sounds, classic kundimans and beautiful pop songs in a refreshing production that displayed Kuh’s passion for tapping into the rich node of indegenous art, as well as contemporary pop music to produce alternative approaches to songs. The show eventually spinned off into a TV special and a double album.
This was immediately followed by another production at the CCP, Inspired Madness (1983). In the 90’s, Kuh had a series of back-to-back concerts with foreign artists like Noel Pointer, Jack Jones, and Kenny Rankin (and later with The Platters and Michel Legrand). This later led to the popular Power of Two concert series that had Kuh performing with local artists like Regine Velasquez, Pops Fernandez, and Jaya, in a bid to show that artists can work together and go against formula in creating a good show.
Kuh has also appeared in films (Oro Plata Mata, Tinimbang Ang Langit, The Year of Living Dangerously) and theater (Rama Hari and Kapinangan), and made numerous TV specials including the award-winning program, Kuh By Special Arrangement.
Not content with being just a performer, Kuh also formed her own production company (Headline Concepts), built alternative concert venues like the Music Museum and the Republic of Malate, formed a recording studio (Bravo Records), and recently developed a resort called Hacienda Isabella—located in Carasuchi, Cavite, just a little off Tagaytay City. These endeavors give her much artistic freedom and enable her to produce and market her own work. She is known for looking out for new talents and helping jumpstart their careers through appearances in her concerts.
Kuh has also brought most of her shows abroad like her Power of Two series, her Diva2Diva concert with Zsa Zsa Padilla and Divas4Divas, with Zsa Zsa, Pops Fernandez, and Regine Velasquez.
Perhaps the most frequently question asked of Kuh (which was also asked in the Glendale press conference) is “Why have you remained single?”
Kuh smiled as she gave the same answer when she was interviewed over ANC earlier this year. “I have wanted to have my marriage restored but have prayed ‘Let Your will be done, Lord.’ But having the Lord in my life is more than enough. I have not really felt any lack in being single.” The pop diva has revealed though that her marriage is in the process of being annulled.
When Karen Davila asked her if she is open to another marriage, Kuh responded, “If it is the Lord’s will, if my marriage is annulled, and if there is a Christian man that the Lord will send my way, then I am open. God knows what is best for me and I just leave everything in His Hands.”
Asked about her future plans, Kuh admitted, “I visualize myself still singing, even when I’m in my 70’s or 80’s, for as long as there are a few who want to listen. And if I’m singing for the Lord, then I want to keep singing- in arenas!”
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Midweek Nov 30-Dec 2, 2011 MDWK pg.2)
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