Being a language that human beings could speak and could easily relate to, music has been one of the most influential factors in every person’s life. Aside from reflecting soul and emotion, the different genres of music manifest a union of feelings that make it appealing to a diverse audience like what it does to 15-year-old Geraldine "Fame" Flores, the youngest classical singer the country has to offer.

BEAUTY, TALENT, PERSEVERANCE… Fifteen-year-old Geraldine “Fame” Flores has it all to become famous and on top.

In order to improve her skills and enhance her innate talents, Fame attends trainings and workshops like piano lessons, violin lessons, classical voice lessons, star consciousness seminars, voice lessons for stage or musicals, modeling, dance lessons, and even acting for TV and film.

Despite the world’s constant changes, performing arts remains to be one of the intangible things that could unveil the deepest deeds and unheard pleas of every man. In all of its kinds, it has always been a part of every person’s life as it continues to be one of those single indispensable elements that create balance and order in the constant world people are living.

Discovering her love for singing at such an early age, Fame didn’t realize that she would soon develop the passion for the whole package of being a performing artist. "Dancing and acting came out as a result of singing," she says. "[Since] these three always go together and each one complements the other, I realized that I’ve got to be in all of them."

Fame shares that her mom influenced her a lot to be inclined to performing arts especially in singing. "She used to sing me as lullaby arias and kundiman as a baby and as I grew older, she provided all the support I need to be more involved in the performing arts."In singing, Fame greatly admires Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman. "They never fail to amaze me [because] they have such soul, such passion and seeing them perform is such a thrilling experience." In acting, it would have to be Nicole Kidman, Jodie Foster, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Johnny Depp for their versatility and American ballerina Lesley Collier in dancing.

Aside from being versatile and unique, one thing that sets Fame apart from other budding performing artists is her overwhelming passion for singing classical music, kundimans, operas, and crossovers. "I discovered my love for classical music when I listened to it out of curiosity," she reveals. "When I listened to kundiman, I realized that this is just like the Philippine version of opera songs so I started to love and appreciate it." Fame also believes that this is another way of showing patriotism by recognizing the roots of national musical heritage.

When Fame took classical singing seriously, she listened to the pieces of advice of her mom intently. "She told me before that if I really want [to pursue] this career, I have to be versatile and knowledgeable about it that’s why I exerted more effort in learning the history or background of the songs and singers of classical music."

FAME MEETS THE FAMOUS. Meeting and greeting with director Peque Gallaga.

Being one of the youngest and most promising classical singers today, Fame has several radio programs tucked under her belt. She sings regularly in "Musika Filipiniana" aired every Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. at 104.3 FM DWBR hosted by Bernie Serrano, an accomplished Kundiman singer and author of books about kundiman. "The topic of the program is usually of notable events in our history that has occurred near the airing period."

The other radio program she’s into Dr. Jose Rabe’s "Fight Juvenile Delinquency/Concerto Filipino" aired every Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at DWBL 12.42AM. The program gives Fame a chance to be with the Who’s Who of Philippine Kundiman industry like Carmen Camacho, Cenon Lagman, Ver Dayap, Danilo Santos, and others. The other program she usually guests into is "Radio Karaoke" at DZEC 10.42AM hosted by Celso Dionisio. Collaborating with the kundiman singers is an overwhelming experience for Fame. "Meeting and singing with them like is a big accomplishment."

Since being different and exceptional does not sit well to everybody, Fame has also experienced disappointing moments but those experiences didn’t stop her from doing what she loves the most. "Our musical inclination is a matter of taste and character," she says. "[And] what we listen to reflects our inner self."

Although she is an avid fan of classical music, Fame also listens to modern songs to widen her knowledge in music. She encourages younger people to be open-minded like her about their musical preferences. She says a lot of people from the younger generation at present do not appreciate classical music because they don’t have the chance to listen and learn about it. "We should learn to appreciate the past to appreciate what we have at present," she says.

Aside from singing, dancing, and acting, Fame is also interested in arts and crafts like knitting or painting landscapes and portraits. Although she is quite busy preparing and waiting for her big break into the entertainment industry, she pays enormous attention to her studies through a multi-level Home Study Program. "Being under a home study program makes it so much easier for me to adjust with my schedules without neglecting my studies," she shares. She plans to take up either Music major in Voice or Fine Arts when she gets to college. But for now, Fame is quite busy practicing for the finals of Bellevue Idol on July 10.

For Fame, being superb and versatile is a state of mind and will. "Don’t just dream something you want, do something to make that dream come true," she stresses.