The worst is over for Luke

As with all people who go through similar situations, Luke Mejares realized who his real friends were after he left South Border.

It was a terrible time career-wise, he recalls. Shows were few and far between, and negative write-ups about him kept coming out in the papers. If not for the support of a small group of friends, provincemates from Bohol and Cebu and his family (including his wife Inger), Luke isn’t sure what he would have done.

"I got to know who my real friends are," says the soft-spoken Ilonggo singer.

Fortunately it’s all a thing of the past now. Luke has even made up with his former bandmates after they met during a TV guesting late last year. "Siyempre, may konting tension, may hiyaan, pero nagkaayos na kami," he says. How does he feel now that it’s all over? "I’m glad, kasi mahirap talaga yung merong hindi pinagkakaunawaan, mabigat dalhin. I spent five years with South Border, and I owe a lot to them, especially to Jay (Durias). That’s where I matured musically. Jay even helped me learn how to write songs and play an instrument. I really owe them a lot."

But all the problems Luke experienced–which include being rejected by his real father, whom he sought out during a trip to the US helped him become a better, stronger person.

"You really have to undergo trials to appreciate your blessings," says Luke.

And he really does have a lot to be thankful for these days. The year 2005 started on the right foot for him following the release of his album Stop, Luke and Listen under BMG Records. He received the Most Outstanding R & B Performer Award during the Buyers Choice Awards last Jan. 28 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

This month, Luke is busy with several gigs, including performing at the RX 93.1 Cheer Dance Competition Finals held last Feb. 4 at the Atrium of SM Megamall. Luke also had the chance to visit the Odyssey Record Bar at Megamall for an album signing.

On Feb. 26, Luke will perform at the Zirkoh Bar.

He will be busy next month, with a provincial show in Palawan on March 4. On March 17, he will join other artists in the Tribute to Black Male Artists organized by 105.1 Crossover. On March 19, he makes an appearance at a Grand Graduation Party sponsored by radio station 97.1 DWLS-FM.

Probably the biggest highlight of Luke’s year will come in May, when he leaves for two shows in the US with local band REtrospect on May 8 and 15.

Luke says he is working hard, for his family and for himself. "I’m more focused these days because I know I’m doing this for my family," he says. "I also want to prove a point to my critics and to myself, that I can be so much better as a person and as a performer."

The next time that negative publicity or problems hit, Luke already knows what to do. He will just get down on his knees and pray. That’s what carried him through the rough times.

"It works for me," he says. "Now, I just pray when confronted with problems. I guess you could say I became closer to God because of all the personal and career problems I had. But now, I’m happy and I feel light."

Luke is looking forward to getting even busier in the middle half of the year, when he might begin work on his second album under BMG Records Pilipinas. He and manager Maristel Sampedro inked a three-album deal with BMG, and Luke says he’s interested in composing more songs for his forthcoming albums. The last song he composed was Will You Feel the Same, which he did for one of South Border’s album.

The worst is over for Luke Mejares. As his favorite South Border song goes, "There’s a rainbow after the rain...." Luke Mejares has finally found his rainbow.