‘Plugged In’: More personal than perfunctory

Yeng Constantino (Photo by Bhenj Agustin)

Pinoy Rock Princess Yeng Constantino was unapologetic that her recent birthday concert had songs outside her genre, including versions of hits by Britney Spears, Shirley Bassey and Lee Ann Rimes.

“Ang rock artist usually naba-box sa isang genre pero ako, madami akong nadaanan. I even like (Latina singer and actress) Thalia, sinasayawan ko mga songs niya before at di ako nahihiya sabihin yan,” she said in an interview right after “Plugged In” held at Samsung Hall of SM Aura.

Yeng learned a thing or two about “sincerity” from his mentor, Raimund Marasigan, who, despite being a rocker himself, listens to other genres as hip hop.

“Di ko kailangang magpanggap. Gusto ko mas makilala pa ako (ng mga fans),” she said.

It’s the reason Yeng had no qualms having her boyfriend Victor Asuncion perform with her in the show. They sang a duet of her original “Pag-ibig,” quoting Bible verses about love to each other during the instrumental.

Another highlight of the show was the surprise appearance of Singapore’s Sheikh Haikel with whom Yeng collaborates on “Better Than Yesterday,” her first international single of R&B/hip hop sheen. After the show, the Pinay singer-songwriter revealed getting VIP treatment in the Lion City every time she vists, being billeted in the most expensive hotels and riding around a limousine.

Despite the celebratory mood of the show, “Plugged In” paid tribute to the “Yolanda” victims through the songs “Roar” and “Yellow.” In performing the Katy Perry song, Yeng kept shouting “Bangon Visayas!” The Coldplay original, on the other hand, was rearranged into a ballad backed by piano and strings.

She couldn’t hold back tears in dedicating “How Do You Know” to Academy of Rock, whom she said believed in and opened doors for her at a time when no “crossroad” was in sight.

Then there’s the duet with Sam Milby, a close friend and one of the first to give Yeng an expensive phone many years ago. She “honored” the singer by sharing an anecdote about his humility.

“Plugged In” ended with “Salamat,” Yeng’s second hit from her first album. A musical chronicle of her journey as artist, the show stood out for songs few hear Yeng does these days.

‘Plugged In’: More personal than perfunctory

Source: Mb.com.ph (December 02, 2013 at 12:35PM)

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