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Boy Rose, Getting to Know Nar Cabico and his tribe

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By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Early evening, at a parking lot turned drive-in theater, a few dozen cars lined up ten feet apart in all directions to see a Filipino movie for a one night showing in Chicago in celebration of Filipino American History Month. The constant drizzle made the early autumn air even more chilly, but movie goers were cozy in their cars listening via radio frequency. That is, until they heard the powerful yet soothing voice of Nar Cabico, a multi-awarded actor and singer-songwriter from the Philippines. Soon enough nearly everyone was drawn to stand closer to the stage, huddled in their “covid circle” for the entire pre-show performance despite the rain.

He closed with “Seasons of Love” brilliantly hitting the songs famously high note without a sweat. Then, it became even more apparent that we all had just witnessed a uniquely gifted singer from the homeland that really deserves a share of the spotlight in the worldwide stage.

During his short stay in Chicago, I was fortunate enough to have an intimate conversation with this multi-talented artist who recently won the 2019 Sinag Maynila Best Actor for his lead performance in the movie “Akin Ang Korona” on life — from his musical beginnings in Mindanao, his artistic journey that led him to win an Aliw Award in 2018 for his single “Gaga” to what prompted his decision to settle down with husband, JV Capule in his hometown of Austin, Texas.

In his own words, let’s get to know Nar Cabico.

How do you want your Chicago and US audiences to know you?

Well, first of all, I am trying to push for my new artist name Boy Rose. My dad is Papa Boy and my mom is Mama Rose. So, I decided that Boy Rose would be a fitting name for me because I really got the gift of music from them. That way, every time I get called on stage, it (always) feels like three of us are being called. It gives me so much power in my heart and I will forever take them with me.

I’m transitioning from Nar Cabico, the singer-songwriter-actor in the Philippines. I would like to now be known internationally as Boy Rose and Boy Rose is a Storyteller.

I will not limit (myself) the artist as someone who just writes or sing songs. With everything that I’ve been exposed to – theater, film, television, concert, gigs, bonfire sessions, one-on-one gigs and private dinner gigs., I feel like my track is very unique in terms of everything that I’m built (from). Also, I enjoy doing everything.

Now, I just want to create my own creative universe of telling stories of Hope. Mostly, I want to push for the Filipino spirit, the Filipino culture, stories that make us who we are and show to the world why there are Filipinos who are considered world class.

There has to be a bridge between the two worlds – America and the Philippines – in the hopes of creating more opportunities of bringing together people through music and the Arts. I am eyeing (getting) an education in musical theater composition because I want to eventually write for Broadway and push for Filipino stories, triumphant stories or epics from Mindanao and Visayas. I feel like it is in my calling to bring those stories together because, more than gold or spices the real wealth of our country is it’s stories. I want to take that with me and transform it in a way that can be appreciated by a global audience.

That’s Boy Rose, the Storyteller, and your story definitely deserves to be heard. Since you do everything and you’re really good at everything – whether it’s singing, acting, songwriting, dancing — I’m curious to know what piqued your interest in the Arts from the beginning?

I came from a family that had less than enough. I was born in Lamitan, Basilan. It’s funny, when I told a Congressman about it, he (said) “Did you know that town is the poorest town in the Philippines and where you were born, Lamitan, is the poorest municipality in that poorest town”. Looking back, what fed me was the Arts, what fed my family was the arts. I remember winning my first singing contest in our little Barrio, aside from the (prize of) 300 pesos, I got a sack of rice.

Arts is not something that I chose, really. These are the moments when I can actually say that it chose me. I tried to apply for corporate jobs and on my first day I (couldn’t bring myself to) show up. Something in me (was) stopping me. I remember I tried to be a talent scout for a Voice Talent company. They hired me in the middle of my probation, on the third day. That same day, one of my favorite actors Mario Hara died, one of the best storytellers of our country. When he died the same day I got offered that corporate job, I realized, if I devote myself outside the Arts it’s the same as dying. I (didn’t) want to die that day so I left that office and never came back.

The same night, I called (veteran Actor) Tata Nanding (Josef) and I (asked) “Do you have a play right now? I want to join, if you can put me in the chorus. I just need to be performing”. They were very kind enough to welcome me to this new show called Walang Sugat and from (an) Ensemble (role), I was able to land a bigger role as an alternate.

A few weeks later, I got a call from my friend looking for a lead singer for their Lounge band for Grand Hyatt Jakarta – Kuala Lumpur – Seoul Korea. I sent my audition videos and then, next thing I know, I got a contract from Grand Hyatt. If I had not stepped out of that office (that day), I won’t be here. I (wouldn’t) have given (myself) the chance to feel truly alive. I can honestly say that with everything right now, looking at all the little projects I am doing, I would say that if I die tomorrow, it’s a life well spent, truly.

That is the most important thing.

It’s a life fully lived. No regrets.

Let me probe a little bit more with your growing up years. What are the most important years developing your craft and where was it?

So from Basilan, there was an unfortunate incident (with) the NPAs (New Peoples’ Army), a terrorist attack and they started shooting our village. We had to leave immediately the next day and get on the next boat to Zamboanga

We lived in Zamboanga in my elementary (school) days and there, I entered NAMCYA, the National Music Competitions for Young Artists. It’s a music competition. I won but I couldn’t move on to the Nationals because we had no money (to pursue it).

Then, the Philippine High School for the Arts announced its audition (for scholarships). I had to fly to Manila, the farthest but cheapest destination to audition and when I got there, (I found out) they weren’t accepting male (students) for Voice Major because their voices change by their third or fourth year. So, I chose Visual Arts, Music, Piano or Theater Arts and for some strange reason, my paper was led to the theater arts department. Last minute I had to make up a monologue and I just went for it. I knew how much this flight cost (my parents), so I just gave it everything. Cut to (the chase), I got a call and out of the many auditionees, I was one of the six Theater Arts students that got accepted.

Those are the most important moments of my life during my elementary days but I think the really essential element is that my mom was a Math and Music teacher and my dad was in the Philippine Marines and he was the band leader of the Philippine Marines combo. So literally, I would wake up with my papa rehearsing his band in the backyard and my mama with the entire choir in our balcony. I grew up basically in a household where we breathe melodies, and we sing all the time.

(To be continued in the November issue)

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Boy Rose (Nar Cabico), an award-winning actor, singer-songwriter from the Philippines opens up about his life and artistic journey during his short Chicago visit.

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Boy Rose (Nar Cabico) right before going on stage. He humbly shared the stage with Louella Cabalona, singing
Adele’s “All I Ask” at the Edward Drive In Movie pre-show performance.

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Boy Rose (Nar Cabico) at the 2018 Aliw Awards holding up his trophy for his single “Gaga”

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Filipino actors Gabby Concepcion, Jennylyn Mercado, and Boy Rose (Nar Cabico) in Love You Two, a teleserye (soap opera) on GMA TV Philippines

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