This October, April will be releasing her debut solo album under EMI Records Philippines. The eponymously-titled album will feature the carrier single Stay Real, which will have an accompanying music video directed by Treb Montreras. The video is expected to debut on TV’s top music channels this week.
The release of her solo album is a dream come true for April, who left her native Seattle, Washington to come home and start a career in Manila. It obviously proved to be the right decision, since the pretty Fil-American teenager has become one of the hottest things to hit local showbiz since she arrived in the country last February.
It isn’t just EMI Philippines which is excited over the arrival on the scene of this hot new talent. Even GMA-7—which has some of the biggest stars in its stable—wasted no time in offering April a co-hosting stint on "SOP Rules." A talented singer and performer whose singing style blends old school soul with the urban edge of the late Aaliyah and the pop appeal of Janet Jackson, April fits in perfectly with the rest of the "SOP" regulars like Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Jaya and Janno Gibbs.
Also one of the few talents to successfully cross network lines, April is currently hosting the new show, Global Battle of the Bands, from 5:30-6 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, over RPN9. The show, partly inspired by the success of "American Idol" and "Rockstar: INXS," features various bands slugging it out for the right to the $100,000 cash prize and the right to fly to London and compete in the finals. Global Battle of the Bands is directed by GB Sampedro and produced by MBC.
April has even become a familiar face in the commercial circuit. She recently came out in the new Kotex and Jack n’ Jill Chippy commercials. She is also sponsored by the Bambbi Fuentes Salon, Human, No Curfew, Skechers and the Belo Medical Group and is managed by Maristel Sampedro of Starwings Talents & Events Management.
According to April, as far as her career is concerned, she’d like to follow in the footsteps of two of the country’s premier artists: Gary Valenciano and Regine Velasquez.
She first saw Gary perform when he did a concert in Seattle. "He’s the ultimate role model because of his energy, and because he’s one performer who really loves what he’s doing," says April.
Meanwhile, April was introduced to Regine’s music at a very young age. She was six or seven years old at that time. One of the first Regine songs that she learned and memorized was "On the Wings of Love," a Jeffrey Osborne original that Regine revived.
One of the most incredible things about having a career in the Philippines is being able to work with Regine. "I can’t believe it!" says April, with a wide grin that can’t hide her delight.
It’s been a little over six months since she first arrived in the Philippines, and April says she’s enjoying herself so much that the idea of going back to the US hasn’t occurred to her at this point. "It’s great that I have this opportunity to share my talent," she says.
She tries to focus on the task at hand and ignore the pressure. April won’t permit herself to think of failing. She even tries to keep the thought of competition at bay. As far as she’s concerned, her toughest competition is herself. April, who started performing at the age of seven, knows that an artist is only as good as her last performance.
The most important thing now, she says, is to just have fun. "I’m extremely excited. I intend to keep on doing this (singing) as long as I’m having fun. The rest can take care of itself. I’m just going to take it one day at a time."
