Rachelle Ann Go one step to fame

On a blistering hot Friday afternoon, dozens of people ON the daily commute fume in silence as a ten-wheeler truck blocks a two-way street in Ortigas Center. Unfortunately, this is also the time when the traffic enforcer decides to take a break, and tailing cars and buses inch ever-so-slowly to get by. It is not a pretty sight.

Just across the street stands the Philippine Stock Exchange Building–home to some of the country’s most profitable businesses. This includes the Viva Entertainment Group. Located on the 7th floor and blocked by its massive walls and centralized air conditioning, it is oblivious to the chaos below.

At the reception desk, a security guard grumbles about having to rollcall a group of showbiz applicants. The place is almost never without starlets and wanna-be’s loitering around, and today, it is filled with beefcakes auditioning for a small movie role. One mumbles something about waiting for "an eternity", and seeing these hunks drift away on the loo makes you wonder if Rachelle Ann Go, Viva’s newest priority star project, started out like this.

"Sanay na sanay na po ako sa mga auditions na ganyan. Dati pa po kasi ako sumasali sa mga contests, eh," Rachelle explains. "Nakatulong naman din sa akin yon. Lalo na sa pagkanta sa harap ng mga maraming tao."

At 17, Rachelle has already had more achievements and experiences in performing live than many newcomers five or even ten years her senior. And although at times still dismissed as a "relatively unknown celebrity," she seems quite pleased with how things are shaping up for her career.

After winning the recently concluded "Search for a Star", Rachelle is busy with new projects and rookie assignments designed to make her a household name. Posing for publicity photos, making the rounds of guestings on variety shows, granting endless interviews... such PR activities are enough to make anyone’s head spin.

And as if those weren’t enough, she also attends regular voice, dance, and acting lessons. Viva says this is necessary to further "enhance her talents". And in-between all that, the teenager is recording tracks for her debut solo album.

Rachelle complains, albeit giddily, that she is swamped with so much responsibilities that there’s little time left for anything else–including school (Rachelle would have been a freshman at San Beda College). "It’s all work, work, work for me now," she laughs. "I naturally had to give-up many things for this, at too bad nasama dun yung pag-aaral ko. Pero I’m still planning naman na ipag-patuloy yun."

Sounds familiar. An attractive teenager drops out of school for a juicy showbiz contract. The newbie swears to continue his/her studies "very soon". Only rarely, if ever, does anybody keep their word. With the exception of hypocrisy, the chance of becoming rich and famous is just too good to pass up.

Rachelle, for instance, is already a millionaire–at least on paper; she has the "Search for a Star" contest to thank for that (prize money of P1 million plus a house and lot). Add to that potential earnings of future concerts and record sales and the cash flow would be mind-boggling. And she’s only beginning.

One showbiz columnist wrote: "Right off the bat, we noticed that this year’s ‘Search for a Star’ batch was not as strong as Sarah Geronimo’s group. There were a number of callow, awkward finalists who tried to get by on sheer lung power, and the effect was disconcerting. But what really turned us off was the finalists’ penchant for sobbing over everything–their crack at stardom, their relatives’ presence, and their sad, impoverished lives.

"In light of these reactions, however, we rather liked the fact that Rachelle Ann Go was chosen as winner because she was among the less loud and tearful finalists. She pretty much kept her composure and won people over, not with the prevalent ‘emotional blackmail’, but with her relatively secure performance and natural projection."

While there is no doubt that she has a lovely voice, questions persist on whether Rachelle was actually good enough to win the ‘Search for a Star’ finals. She might have been the best in that circle of crooners, but she still looks like just another fish in the ocean of celebs outside that security blanket. And even Rachel herself is puzzled with her "Star" triumph.

"Hanggang ngayon, di pa po ako makapaniwala na ako ang nanalo," she says in amazement. "I honestly thought that I wasn’t good enough to get beat the other (finalists), pero I’m glad that I did. Kaya naman gagawin ko po ang lahat para mas lalo pa ako mag-improve."

Critics also (sometimes unfairly) write her off as a "copycat"‚ just because of a few similarities to the other, more popular "Search" champ, Sarah Geronimo. The second Rachelle won the grand prize, the two singers were already compared.

In fairness, Rachelle’s singing is as clear and syrupy (if not better) as that of Sarah’s any day of the week, and she surely has the potential to become a standard vocalist one day. Singing is her gift, obviously, and this can be credited to lots of practice and crafting her voice early in life. "I took up (singing) lessons at the age of six," she reveals. "We were always encouraged to sing kasi our family loves music talaga."

The eldest of four children, Rachelle was only nine years old when she entered her first singing contest. It was only a small part of their barangay festivities in Pasig City, but she was thrilled to have come out on top. The young singer continued with amateur contests over the next years–most notably Eat Bulaga’s "Birit Baby", where she placed second overall.

"My dad especially kept pushing me to sing in all these competitions. I used to feel bad when I lost, pero I realized na para din yun sa experience ko. Mabuti na rin at maaga po ako nakapag-simula," she smiles.

Rachelle adds: "I always had varied tastes in music. Basically, I listen to anything and everything that sounds nice and pleasant to the ears. Pero ang mga main influences ko sa pagkanta are still Mariah Carey, Lani Misalucha and Regine Velasquez. Ang gagaling kasi nila, eh."

It is no surprise then that this budding diva chose to do a cover of Mariah’s Through the Rain as her contribution on the "Search for a Star" album, which, by the way, also features the show’s other finalists.

Veronique Del Rosario-Corpus, the Viva Artists Agency chief, believes Rachelle had that "X-factor" and the right star quality to win the competition. She explains: "We were looking for someone who not only had the voice, but who, like Sarah, could cross over from music to TV and the movies."

Rachelle is certainly animated by the idea. "Music will always be my first priority, my passion. Dyan talaga ako hiyang, eh. But I’d also like to try other things like acting or whatever because I think it will help me grow as an artist, she says. "I used to participate in school plays kasi back in high school so I could express myself freely. And I’m not really just another singer either, because I also play drums and guitar. Para naman meron din akong ibang outlet, di ba?"

Rachelle has just come off a collaboration with Salbakuta, the rap group responsible for the massive (but trashy) hit Stupid Love. She will now finally devote time to the much-anticipated debut album.

To think that earlier this year nobody had even heard of her, Rachelle now has a loyal set of fans and supporters, including (quite impressively), a website dedication page on the internet.

Immediately following her "Search" victory, the Go’s modest home in Barangay Sumilang was swamped with people. Admirers, kibitzers, neighbors and even residents from nearby towns came to celebrate with her, and Rachelle’s mom, Russell (who chaperones her everywhere), accommodated them all. Even the Mayor of Pasig City offered his congratulations.

"It just seemed so sudden!" Rachelle exclaims. "Ang hirap makapaniwala na people are now asking for autographs! Nakakabigla!"

Maybe being a celeb hasn’t quite sunk in yet, or maybe her character is strong enough for her to remain as she is. People say that she will sooner or later understand the ins and outs of the industry, and learn how to give those saccharine "showbiz" answers and avoid "incriminating" questions. She will soon get used to the VIP lifestyle and become another arrogant, overrated snob. These are all possible, indeed, but definitely not inevitable.

"Hindi naman ako siguro mag-babago," she giggles with precocious innocence. "Tinuruan naman ako ng mabuting asal nila mommy, eh."

Ever bubbly and full of laughter, Rachelle sounds just like any other typical teenage girl. She is so gleefully polite and humble in a straightforward way that she exudes a warm feeling of courteousness, sincerity and fun.

"Masaya ako dahil pangarap ko po talaga ito," she swoons. "Alam ko na marami pa akong dadaanan para lang ma-compare sa mga talagang magagaling na singers, pero sana marating ko din yon."