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Remember Ella May Saison? She is back in PH for a Valentine concert

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Leah C. Salterio

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/02/02/ella.jpg"/></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Her songs have undoubtedly become well-loved hits. Her powerful ballads have become favorite staple in sing-along joints, always requested and rarely forgotten. </p><p>Ella May Saison shot to fame as the female soloist of the &#x27;90s band Artstart, which specialized specialized in jazz and soulful pop. But it was as a solo artist when she recorded the hits “’Til My Heartaches End,” “If the Feeling Is Gone” and “Goodbye’s Not Forever.” </p><p>That Saison would embark on a professional singing career was not really surprising. She comes from a musically inclined family that hails from Bacolod. She was only 19 when she scored a recording contract for her debut album “Language of Soul.”</p><p>Prior to releasing her debut album, Saison recorded “Hiram na Sandali,” the theme song of director Joel Lamangan’s 1992 drama “Hiram na Mukha,” with Christopher de Leon, Nanette Medved and Cesar Montano.</p><p>She recorded a US album, “So In Love,” that landed on the Billboard Hot 100 hit charts in 1997. She even recorded a single, “Reminiscin,’” with American singer Cece Peniston. Also in that year, Saison got the chance to perform live in front of African leader Nelson Mandela.</p><p>Turning her back on her career in the Philippines was a serious decision Saison made more than 15 years ago. Initially, she went to the US to try her luck there. However, her plans didn’t materialize. “I still opted to stay and just live a normal and simple life,” Saison said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1ja1LldJUEE?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Even is the US, however, Saison never really stopped performing. “I do sing once in a while,” she shared. “I still miss it, especially singing on TV, but I keep myself busy mostly by writing original songs.”</p><p>Understandably, being away from her family has its sacrifices, too. “I miss my mom and I miss hanging out with my siblings, especially when they crack jokes,” Saison said. “Mga joker kasi mga kapatid ko.&quot;</p><p>“Of course, I also miss the Pinoy food. What I don’t miss are the hot weather and the traffic. Hinihika na ako pag mainit.”</p><div><strong>BACK IN MANILA</strong></div><p>Last year, Saison surprised viewers of “It’s Showtime” when she performed her hits with the TNT (Tawag ng Tanghalan) Divas. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fVtqmunMtnw?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>This year, she is back to share the stage with Luke Mejares, Juris, Nina and Ito Rapadas of Neocolours. They will headline the concert, “Love Throwback 3,” on February 15 at the Philippine International Convention Center Plenary Hall. Direction is by Calvin Murphy Neria, with Marc Lopez as musical director.</p><p>“They will expect to see me perform live and hear my hit songs,” Saison said. “Of course, they will also hear the rest of the artists&#x27; songs that also became hits. Maybe our songs also are part of our audience&#x27;s love stories.”</p><p>It flatters Saison that a new generation of music lovers is now embracing her songs. </p><p>“I am both happy and honored to know that the young generation appreciates my songs,” Saison said. “I feel blessed to have worked with some great songwriters like Vehnee Saturno and Tito Cayamanda. The vocal styles and techniques that I put into each song probably made a mark on the listeners or music lovers, especially to the younger generation.”</p><p>Among the current crop of young music artists, Saison acknowledged there are a lot of really good ones who show promise. </p><p>“But all it takes is a good songwriter and a hit song,” she said.</p>

<p>Her songs have undoubtedly become well-loved hits. Her powerful ballads have become favorite staple in sing-along joints, always requested and rarely forgotten. </p>

Her songs have undoubtedly become well-loved hits. Her powerful ballads have become favorite staple in sing-along joints, always requested and rarely forgotten.