Contrary to the hype surrounding their homecoming marked by a concert last Oct. 29 at Clamshell 10 in Intramuros, Washington DC-based Filipino-American band, The Speaks, says making it in the US music scene has not been smooth sailing but fraught with racial discrimination.

"We would have long been signed up to a major label if not for our color," they say during their press conference a couple of days ago. "Key people from various international recording companies were always interested when they hear our demos. But the moment they see us, they turn us down."

The rock quintet also implied that Filipinos penchant for slow love songs probably hurts the chances of Filipino artists to be taken seriously abroad. "Some bar owners don’t even want to audition us because they think we’d just stand onstage and sing ballads. One of them told us, ‘We only play rock music here.’ He then sent the copy of our CD we gave him flying to the trash even while we were looking," cites they.

The Speaks guitarist, Siegfred Fuster, even nearly was not able to make it to Manila due to some problem with the US Embassy that initially declined him a visa. It took the intervention of a Filipino ambassador to finally convince the embassy that Siegfred is part of the band and that shows were, indeed, waiting for The Speaks here.

"Now, I have to eat 50 fishballs and 5 baluts for losing a bet I made with my band mates that I would not be granted a visa," jokes Siegfred.

Still, the band had made some strides in the Land of Milk and Honey. Acknowledged as one most likely to succeed (in the music business) by underground rock magazines and radio stations, The Speaks has been perennial grand champions in several battle of the bands contests there including the DC "Last Band Standing" and JAXX: World’s Largest Battle of the Band tilts for anthemic rock music that sounds like "Pearl Jam without the whining."

In the United Kingdom, "Life’s A Joke," the title track of their Warner Music album, even debuted at Number One in Filetopia online radio station and stayed there for eight weeks. To date, The Speaks had shared the marquee with big international rock bands as Third Eye Blind, Switchfoot, 3 Doors Down, Everclear, Papa Roach, Sugar Hill Gang, The Roots, Jimmy Eat World, Blues Traveler and Cake.

The Speaks band manager, Jerry Garcia, says that Filipinos who believe in the band’s talents keep confidence afloat. Some of them go the extra mile by volunteering their time and for free to assist the band during shows. Jerry himself quit his day job so he could give the The Speaks his full attention.

"We won’t stop until we hit the Billboard charts and bring home a Grammy," says Jerry.

The Speaks is comprised by vocalist Raf Toledo, guitarist Archie de la Cruz and Siegfred Fuster, bassist Jerrry Delino and drummer Johnny Abende. The band’s current hit in local radio station countdowns is "High" that comes with a video produced by MTV European nominated for Best Music Video Director, Cullin Tobin.

Despite rolling out a new pop album dubbed "At Her Best" in the heels of inspirational ones, singer-songwriter Jamie Rivera denies turning her back on the ‘Inspirational Diva’ title that’s identified with her.

"I will always choose inspirational songs over pop if needs be because the last touch people’s lives in different, more meaningful ways. Besides, living up to the ‘Inspirational Diva’ title holds higher significance to me because when I got it, I promised the Lord that I will use it for service and to glorify His name," says Jamie.

The only reason she’s done a pop album now is because of the timing in her career. This year marks her 18th year in the music business; a tenure sparked by a maiden pop single, "Hey It’s Me," in 1987. This was followed by other radio hits as "I’ve Fallen For You," "Mahal Naman Kita," "Sige Na Nga (Crush Din Kita)," "Totoo Ba?" "Awit Para Sa Yo," etc., then a yearlong stint in "Miss Saigon" where Jamie played lead character, ‘Kim.’

In 2000 did Jamie become ‘Inspirational Diva’ when she recorded the Jubillee album that sold more than 400,000 copies. The title was cemented when her song "Heal Our Land" became the unofficial theme songs of People Power II.

Rumors have it, though, that decline in sales of her last inspirational albums is the real reason why Jamie went back to pop—something the artist denies.

"It’s not true. In fact, even if those albums were not promoted in mainstream, they already have an established market, a niche, so to speak. Besides, if money is the issue, then why do I keep doing free shows to promote those? Lahat halos ng mga shows ko since becoming inspirational diva, honorarium lang ang nakukuha ko. Bilang lang talaga ang may bayad. No, these albums were made with a higher purpose in mind that’s why I will never stop doing similar ones in the future," she says.

Jamie is so careful in keeping the credibility of her Inspirational Diva title intact that she had refused many offers made to her recently to sing "Heal Our Land" in political gatherings.

"I will only sing ‘Heal Our Land’ again if the situation warrants it. At this point, I don’t want to take sides," says she.

When asked if it’s hard living up to the inspirational diva image, Jamie agrees adding that people sometimes expect her to be almost perfect.

"Like, people ask me, ‘Do you get angry?’ Of course I do! I’m only human. But whenever I feel that way, I always remind myself of Jesus. Despite His many trials, He was always slow to anger. Beyond the title, I guard my actions because I am a mature person," she says.

"At Her Best" under Star Records contains her biggest pop hits re-arranged and re-recorded. These are "Hey It’s Me," "Awit Para Sa Yo," "Mahal Pa Rin Kita," and "I’ve Fallen For You."

Then there are also the pop songs she recently did for her present label like "People Alone" "Love Is All That Matters and "I’m Sorry." For bonus tracks, Jamie remade Jim Photoglo’s "Will Of The Wind" and recorded new song, "Pansinin Mo Naman Ako."