Talented Pinoy fifth grader making waves in UAE
AL AIN, United Arab Emirates — The son of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Ian Cris Tocle would spend his time joining various singing and talent competitions here when he’s not in school.
This, despite the difficulty one faces when transplanted from his home country to a foreign land, especially at a young age.
“It was a family decision,” said Ian's mother Irene of their decision to relocate to the Middle East. “My husband came here in Dubai first then I followed three months after.”
“It was quite difficult for Ian when we moved in here because he already likes staying with my parents,” she added via email. “He also already has a circle of friends in school where he would perform in some events.”
But the change didn’t affect Ian's passion for singing. In fact, on the same year he arrived here, he got commissioned to sing Michael Jackson's “Beat It” for the graduation rites of the Filipino Digerati Association (FDA).
“Music is my passion and I want to reach my dreams to become a famous musician someday,” Ian, who had begun performing the songs of Gary Valenciano at 3, said.
Competitions
Amidst his schedule, Ian, now a fifth grader at The Philippine School (TPS), remains remarkable particularly in his math subject.
Last year was big year for him: He was recognized as Mr. TPS Campus and won first place during the KidsFest Talent Competition, sang during Sharon Cuneta's concert here, performed during the Yamaha Music Festival Guest, sang at a PETA Benefit Concert, and at PCG Concert-for-a-Cause, among others.
For this year, Ian is going to perform as the front act for the “Ultimate Divas,” a show of Sheryn Regis and Angeline Quinto in March, and play as one of the three tough boys in “The Wizard of Oz” in April.
“We are proud of him as parents. He has done remarkably in his talents and he is learning lots of things from his Dad,” Irene, 34, an office administrator at Sasol Middle East, said.
Challenges
Young as he is, Ian has already experienced challenges when performing.
“The most frequent involve technical issues. You just still have to continue because that’s what makes you a good performer,” he said, already speaking like a true professional.
Ian also chooses his songs carefully.
“My dad keeps on saying that before I choose the song, I need to know first what the occasion is and who will be my crowd so I can deliver the song well and entertain the audience,” he said.
“I love acoustic music but I also love to sing different genres in different languages. I want to express myself in different areas whether the song is in Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Hindi, Arabic, or English,” Ian added. — KBK, GMA News
This, despite the difficulty one faces when transplanted from his home country to a foreign land, especially at a young age.
Ian Cris Tocle has shared the stage with the likes of Sharon Cuneta.
“It was quite difficult for Ian when we moved in here because he already likes staying with my parents,” she added via email. “He also already has a circle of friends in school where he would perform in some events.”
But the change didn’t affect Ian's passion for singing. In fact, on the same year he arrived here, he got commissioned to sing Michael Jackson's “Beat It” for the graduation rites of the Filipino Digerati Association (FDA).
“Music is my passion and I want to reach my dreams to become a famous musician someday,” Ian, who had begun performing the songs of Gary Valenciano at 3, said.
Competitions
Amidst his schedule, Ian, now a fifth grader at The Philippine School (TPS), remains remarkable particularly in his math subject.
Last year was big year for him: He was recognized as Mr. TPS Campus and won first place during the KidsFest Talent Competition, sang during Sharon Cuneta's concert here, performed during the Yamaha Music Festival Guest, sang at a PETA Benefit Concert, and at PCG Concert-for-a-Cause, among others.
For this year, Ian is going to perform as the front act for the “Ultimate Divas,” a show of Sheryn Regis and Angeline Quinto in March, and play as one of the three tough boys in “The Wizard of Oz” in April.
“We are proud of him as parents. He has done remarkably in his talents and he is learning lots of things from his Dad,” Irene, 34, an office administrator at Sasol Middle East, said.
Challenges
Young as he is, Ian has already experienced challenges when performing.
“The most frequent involve technical issues. You just still have to continue because that’s what makes you a good performer,” he said, already speaking like a true professional.
Ian also chooses his songs carefully.
“My dad keeps on saying that before I choose the song, I need to know first what the occasion is and who will be my crowd so I can deliver the song well and entertain the audience,” he said.
“I love acoustic music but I also love to sing different genres in different languages. I want to express myself in different areas whether the song is in Japanese, Korean, Tagalog, Hindi, Arabic, or English,” Ian added. — KBK, GMA News
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