The Constancy of Song

SSounds are vibrations. They move in waves and transfigure themselves into something beautiful, aural to the human ear, in forms of music and individuality. And the song, as we call it, is a pleasing potpourri of sounds humans may give rise to.

The singer, the songster, and the melodist, the person who holds such a name, is revered not for performing for performance’s sake but rather their execution of an act of beauty, one that has withheld the tests of time. Anyone may sing, and any chord may be strung and strummed, but the exquisite style—the presentation of it all—is what captures the hearts of the listener. We recall marvels rather than moments, for they are what stay with us until death, and may be our final fading memory.

And for the heartfelt songster, there is no greater sorrow than to lose the constancy of voice. The obliteration of art would destroy humanity as it is a human truth; its loss in a single soul would propel them into devastation. Such is the case of long-lived songbird Kathy Mas, whose story started nowhere near her present realm of opera and classy oeuvre. Yet, she was sent into her now masterful domain via life’s great throes.

A tale as old as time: the youth falls prey to what is in favor— whatsoever may be esteemed with popularity—hence, pop music earns its name. “I concentrated on being a pop singer when I was a teenager and in college,” says Kathy. “I once had a gig in a hotel when I was still in school. I did lounge singing, and then a friend of mine helped me to have an album and promote it here in Manila.”

It was milk and honey for a short while when Kathy was able to sing for Galaxy Records and made her pop-style album. But as she sang continuously, she began to feel pain in her throat and consulted a physician, knowing something was wrong. “I developed inflamed nodes on my throat...the doctor told me, ‘If you want to continue singing, you will even lose your speaking voice. So if I were you, I’d stop singing now, or you’ll ruin your voice forever.’”

The doctor’s order had her thunderstruck. She did not know if she would ever sing again. “I was thinking about what to do next because I cannot sing!” Kathy professes. “Singing is my first love.”

Yet, she didn’t let her situation pull her down. Instead, she assessed her other talents and passions. She recalled her love for the fine arts as a student. She told herself that she would pursue her second love since she could not use her voice to sing. With this in mind, Kathy walked down another path: painting.

“I joined a group of painters called The Tuesday Group,” says Kathy. “At home, I had a tutor. I focused on painting but while I was painting, I’d listen to classical music. I felt so sad...I really wanted to sing. I was still longing to sing.”

For five long years, Kathy stopped singing. The doctor’s words clung to her like flies on sugar even though years had passed. She was still afraid to sing a tune. One day, a personal friend and music teacher encouraged her to sing again. “He said, ‘Why don’t you sing opera? When you sing opera, it’s a journey. [Many] start from childhood to develop the voice.’”

Kathy’s mi nd unfurled to the realm of opportunity. She took his advice and began singing once more, slowly but surely, developing her voice daily. She tried with all her might; her muse was the song Nella Fantasia. She listened to it every day and sang.

“My voice came out naturally, with no pain!” remembers Kathy. She also found a certain spark with opera not present with pop music. Her new voice led her to unchartered territory. Again, she sang—this time, classical. She sang in a multitude of languages, and with every practice, she grew more assertive. Even if difficult, she sang Italian songs because she knew they’d make her unassailable. She also embraced her heritage and fell in love with traditional Filipino songs with an ardor for kundiman.

“It’s like God allowed me to sing again,” she happily recounts, “I feel so good singing classical, so I never stopped singing.” Kathy made her fervent return to her true love: music. Her voice grew strong, and it was brilliant.

“I know for myself that I will continue to inspire people and touch their hearts through my art of singing,” says Kathy. Her powerful voice is as passionate as her spirit. Despite all the barriers and stumbling blocks, this sweetest soprano finally reached the castle in the sky.