LISTENING to Joey Albert sing at the “Timeless” concert on December 04 convinced us that no matter how many battles with cancer she fought in her lifetime, her vocal chords remained untouched by cancer and chemotherapy.
Joey Albert invited media members to a press conference the day before her scheduled concert at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao to answer questions about her compositions and her life which she spent fighting the big C. She has cared for her two children while in Vancouver, being a wife and mother and feels blest that she is a survivor.
This was Joey Albert’s first trip out of Vancouver after her surgery on November 11, 2015, pointing out during the concert that she had to wear slippers or “Tsinelas”
because of her swollen legs.
The Filipina singer, composer, musician and erstwhile TV host and actress (she was once part of “Iskool Bukol”) performed some of her greatest hits which included “Iisa Pa Lamang”, “I Remember the Boy”, “Without You” hits from Hotdog, “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin” and “Tell Me”.
Albert was first diagnosed with cervical cancer in 1995, then colon cancer in 2003, both treated with chemotheraphy. Unfortunately, her colon cancer recurred early this year.
“I am happy that I am doing this show here in Davao, the first after my chemotherapy last November. I was afraid that I might not be able to sing again. But here I am,” she said with pride and gratitude. “Somebody in heaven still doesn’t want me there,” then she sang Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”.
Multi-awarded singer and composer Wency Cornejo, who admitted that it was his first time to meet Albert here in Davao, shared the stage with her as they sang the former AfterImage lead vocalist’s signature song “Habang May Buhay”. Cornejo wowed the crowd with his hits songs “Next in Line” and “Hanggang”.
One of the songs Joey Albert performed that tugged the hearts of the audience was also the song she last recorded before she relocated to Canada in 1995.
“After recording ‘Sa Yo Lamang’, a theme song for Richard Gomez’ movie for the Manila Film Festival in 1995, I left my singing career here in the Philippines. I never thought that song would soon have a life of its own,” she reminisced. “Sa Yo Lamang” eventually won as Best Movie Theme Song in the said film festival, and is now a staple hymn in church services.
Before she left the stage and bade her Dabawenyo audience goodbye, Albert thanked every one for their support.
Proceeds of “Timeless” will benefit the House of Hope/Davao Children’s Cancer Fund, Inc.
PHOTOGRAPHY: RENE B. LUMAWAG
CHILDREN from the House of Hope receive gifts from the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. Joining them are General Manager Bryan Lasala, Wency Cornejo, Joey Albert and Nestor Solis
MEMBERS of the media join Joey Albert and Wency Cornejo for a photo