Imelda Papin with Melissa Manchester in Las Vegas.

Las Vegas’ Hotel Orleans has seen many music icons in its showroom  – the likes of Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Sedaka, Gladys Knight, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka and Boys II Men, but for the past two years, it features the same star for its holiday special – the undisputed jukebox queen from the Philippines, Imelda Papin.

Yes! Just like Mary Poppins, the hotel management thinks that Imelda is “practically perfect in every way” as its headliner.

For the past 30 years in the entertainment scene, music aficionados are still in awe as to how Imelda piles success after success as a singer. More so these days, when she’s riding high on her newfound fame as the only Filipino, who made it real big in Vegas – the acclaimed entertainment capital of the world.

“I pray everyday – puro thank you, because it’s different in America. A lot of performers are dreaming to make it big there, pero ang hirap- hirap,” says Imelda.

“Since 1979, I’ve been holding concerts in the US but in 2006, parang nag-iba yung luck ko, parang na-recognize yung talent ko by the American audience. Yes, I was a hit among Pinoys but when it came to American audience in Vegas, there’s a lot of competition because they’ve seen the best.

“And then I met Oscar Parel, a fellow Filipino-American, who believes so much in my talent. He had no plan of producing shows pero sana naman daw may Filipino who will make it big there.”

Parel has become Imelda’s Svengali. Through the 618 International Entertainment, Inc., he launched a concert tour that was meant to reach Imelda’s fans in different parts of the US.

But something happened in Vegas.

“The managers of Hotel Orleans observed my first show,” she continues. Apparently, they liked what they saw.

“Nakakatuwa naman, parang di totoo, everytime na mag-show ako, putok. So, upon seeing that the American audience was responding to me, ginawa akong regular performer.”

On top of that, the management gave Imelda an all-out support by putting up huge billboards inside and around Vegas – a sight that many Filipinos take pride in.

Truth be told, Vegas won’t spend a penny on a billboard if the performer isn’t worth it. After all, each costs $10,000.

Well, Imelda has 11. There’s one near the airport, and many more in bus stations and along the Vegas strip.

“Marquee star ang tawag nila sa performers na ganoon eh,” she adds. “Sabi ko naman, ‘I worked hard for it.’ I always vow my head in prayer every time I have a blessing. ‘Ako lang ang Filipina singer na may billboard?’ Hindi ako ganon. I think, sa buhay ng tao kahit narating mo tagumpay, nagkaroon ka ng pera, yuko ka na lang.”

The secret is in reinvention. Imelda would still shed a tear, at a song or two, but her repertoire is now laced with Tina Turner‘s “Simply The Best” and Kiki Dee’s “I Got the Music in Me.”

“My singing style changes when I perform live,” she says. “In recording, siyempre easy listening yan. But when it’s a live performance, of course it should be bombastic.”

Her passionate performances led to doing concerts with international musicians like Peggi Blu, Oren Waters and Mariano Gonzales. Then came Melissa Manchester, the 1982 Grammy’s best female vocalist who popularized “Through the Eyes of Love,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and “Midnight Blue.”

Two days prior to their three-day concerts last September, they were given a red carpet welcome by Hotel Orleans, with the crème de la crème of Nevada – US Senator Harry Reed, Governor Jim Gibson and Congresswoman Shelly Berkeley.

“Wow! Talagang Hollywood-style. It was like a dream,” describes Imelda of the experience.

Aside from concerts, Imelda has her own TV show, “Imelda Papin In America” aired every second Saturday of the month on LA 18, and a two-hour “Voice of the Heart Radio Show” on KLAV every Sunday.

She has also released a new CD, “Voice Of The Heart” which is being distributed in three countries – the US, Canada, and the Philippines. In it are her own versions of the well-loved ballad “Dance With My Father Again” and “Sugar, Sugar” – a duet with the song’s original singer Ron Dante.

“I’m a positive thinker pagdating sa career at sa family,” admits Imelda. “Yung paglaos is not in my vocabulary. In my heart, I know that I have contributed something in the music industry, and I have my own followers.”

Imelda is the founding President of Filipino-American Society of Entertainers. She says, “I want to give recognition to Filipino performers based in the US like Tita Bella Flores and Oscar Obligacion. Hinahanap pa namin yung iba. We will have our launching this November 15.”

She has also put up the Imelda A. Papin Foundation, which uses a portion of her concert and record proceeds to help her fellow Bicolanos.

“I don’t forget my roots. I have a soft spot for the needy.” This, she reveals, is the reason for the patented tears while singing. “I really feel the song. Naaalala ko kung paano ako lumaki, yung hirap ng buhay. Kaya bawat kanta, lalo ‘pag tungkol sa buhay ng tao, naluluha ako.

“My plan is to continue singing in the States. And then, I will comeback in our country and resume my political career. People say that I did well the last time I was in politics.” Papin served two terms as the first female vice governor for the province of Camarines Sur.

“With my experiences, I think I can contribute something good for our country. I’ve been all over the world, I‘ve met a lot of leaders, and I learned a lot of things that I can share to our people.

“Right now I’m enjoying my career. God gave it to me, so, I don’t want to waste it. But God willing, I’d like to continue serving our people.”

(For comments, send e-mail to gypsybaldovino@yahoo.com.)