What Morissette considers her ‘shining’ moment in 10-year career

CEBU, Philippines —  Morissette Amon admits she was scared to interpret the 25th anniversary version of “Shine,” an award-winning classic song popularized by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.

“It’s challenging because it’s already a hit, a winning masterpiece, and an anthem. So, everyone knows this song,” the Cebuana singer revealed in a recent virtual conference.

Last month, Morissette released her official recording of “Shine” in celebration of the song’s silver anniversary. But unlike the established version of the song with high notes, Mori surprisingly offered a new flavor which she thinks fits her singing style.

According to Star Music producer Jonathan Manalo, they purposefully veered away from the expected “birit” style of many “Shine” renditions and interpretations.

“Yes, deliberate na magkaroon ng bagong flavor ‘yung ‘Shine’ na mas mapunta sya doon sa gospel na direction at mas maging soulful more than ‘yung predictable na birit treatment,” Jonathan said.

It was also Morisette’s request to record the song differently. Jonathan even tempted Morissette to hit a whistle but she refused saying that it will be very predictable.

“Sabi niya [Morissette] ‘Kuya, ayoko ng mapunta dun sa predictable na ibibirit ko lang nang ibibirit, gusto ko mapunta dun sa soulful side, mas nandoon sa gospel,” Jonathan added.

For Morisette, the result was just perfect. “When I heard the arrangement na very grandiose siya na very orchestra, sabi ko ay swak siya roon sa parang gusto kong puntahan din na singing style. Kasi ‘yun nga I’ve been singing to a lot of gospel, a lot of R&B and soul.”

“Tapos I also shared kay Kuya Jonathan na with this arrangement, ‘di lang siya mag-a-appeal sa masa dito sa Philippines kung hindi sa nakikinig din all over the world. Kasi siyempre sobrang limitless na ang dala ng internet sa music ngayon. I think with this new version ay parang more than giving it a new life, it’s also fresh listening na this is where OPM is also going.”

The 25-year-old singer is celebrating her 10th anniversary in the industry, and for her, it is timely to have this project despite the pandemic. Her goal now is to broaden her musical knowledge beyond singing and to become more active in the creative process of her songs.

When asked about the “shining” moment of her career, she calls to mind that time she was offered to interpret “Akin Ka Na Lang” at the 2014 Himig Handog.

“I remember noong nasa Cebu pa kami with my family, sabi namin iba pa rin talaga kung may original song ka. So when Star Music reached out to me, I was super happy that time kasi I had just finished ‘The Voice,’ I did not make it to the grand finals. Pero parang in-open pa rin ng Star Music ‘yung doors nila to make me a part of their family, and to ask me to interpret ‘Akin Ka Na Lang.’”

“Shine” was originally a Metropop entry composed by multi-awarded songwriter Trina Belamide and performed live by Sweet Plantado at the Araneta Coliseum during the 1996 Metropop Song Festival, where it placed second. Regine covered the song for a commercial in 2004.

Morisette’s “Shine” has now more than 190,000 views on ABS-CBN Star Music YouTube channel. - Niel Anthony Lajot, Silliman Intern