BARBIE ALMALBIS, considered as one of the country’s rock icons. Her latest album entitled “New Heart,” and we’re referring to no other than a new record to proclaim her love and passion for music. Kailan lang, after its initial release, napansin agad after being chosen as one of ABS-CBN’s Top 10 Albums for 2014. Along with her on the list are OPM;s finest artists and their latest album nemely: Brat pack – Bratitude, Mr. Bones And The Boneyard Circus – The great Fall Onto Madness, Generation – Generation, Imago -Kapit, Johnoy Danao – Samu’t Sari, Throw – Stand, Peso Movement – The Gentle Sound of Chaos, Yeng Constantino -All About Love and jeck Pilpil & Peacepipe – In Hale Positivity, Ex – Hale Negativity.
Prior to being a solo artist, Barbie was with the hungry Young poets who collectively popularized the single Torpe and Firewoman. She also become the lead Barbie’s Cradle with whom she made the hits Tabing Ilog, Money For Food, Langit Na Naman, and Limang Dipang Tao which was composed by Ryan Cayabyab and first popularized by Lea Salonga. Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist award at the Awit Awards for her single “Just A Smile.” Same year, she also won at the MEG Magazine Teens Choice Awards as Favorite Female Artist of the Year.
In 2006, nang i-release ni Barbie ang solo album entitled “Parade” which was produced by 12 Stone Records. Naging very successful ang nasabing album kaya’t naging live recording ang concert niya sa Araneta Coliseum which was released as an album entitled “Barbie Rocks The Big Dome”. The Rock Princess then came back in 2011 with the record, Goodbye My Shadow which featured the songs Constellations, Unraveling, Child Of Mine and Buntala.
Hindi na rin mabilang ang mga product endorsement, commercial na nagawa ni Barbie na siya na rin ang kumanta at nag-compose ng mga jingle nito. Her influence on the Filipino society, most especially the youth, made her the ideal face, ambassador and influencer for some of the country’s leading commercial brand products.
Masasabing si Barbie ang most inspiring women of her generation dahil sa dami ng kanyang accomplishment as a singer-composer. She became an ultimate endorser in the making. Napili siya to promote Sunsilk, Bayo Clothing, McDonald’s and DnD Guitars. In 2013, Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) launched a compaign that brought together OPM rock icon Ely Buendia, Rico Blanco, Raimund Marasigan and Barbie Almalbis to re-create the classic Filipino rock song Tayo’y mga Pinoy and help revive the Philippine Music Industry. After making its debut during the 27th anniversary of the EDSA People Revolution, the 3-minute long music video of the Heber Bartolome original instantly reached 2 million plus views on YouTube and was shared thousands of times on the other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
Early in 2014, an expansion in Barbie’s scope of influence was proved after nang magsama sila ni Sharon Cuneta sa isang Nido’s television commercial which taught young mothers to worry less about their child’s adventurures, as long as they give them the proper nourishment to protect them. Both Barbie and Sharon are personalities that moms from different generations look up to, and it is important that their supporters get the right advice for their own child. “Part time with the kids. Gusto mong i-develope kung anumang talent mayroon sila. Kailangan very supportive ka sa kanila,”she said.
Napili rin si Barbie to be part of Unilever Breeze’s Circle of Moms together with Dimples Romana, Gladys Reyes and Nikki Valdez para sa brand’s Sige Mom compaign. Kahit may asawa’t anak na ang rock icon, patuloy pa rin siyang gagawa ng makabuluhang komposisyon. Bawat lyrics ng kanyang mga awitin ay makabuluhan at nanggagaling sa kanyang puso. Through her song, nai-express niya ang tunay niyang nararamdaman. Freedom to explore, hindi ‘yung nasa kahon. “It’s a song like a diary,” makabuluhang sabi ni Barbie.
Malaki rin ang contribution ng husband (anak ni Sen. Gringo Honasan) ni Barbie sa bago niyang album. Very supportive ito whatever she do. Palibhasa parehong artist kaya magkasundo sila sa maraming bagay. Ang composition ng cover ng My New Heart ay idea ng kanyang loving husband pati print nito. “He’s musician by heart. We both understand… give a chance a space. My husband loves me well. One year namin siyang ni-record. Everyday, paunti-unti hanggang mabuo namin ‘yung record, ” pahayag ni Barbie.
AYAW Paawat!
by Eddie Littlefield
