By Limuel S. Celebria
A little less than a year ago, our good friend, farmer-entrepreneur Rommel S. Ynion, responding to a quite innocent request from her daughter that he sing her a song, did what any self-respecting father who loves his daughter would do – he brought her a band! Not exactly, really. But, as it is now turning out…. But let’s not get ahead of the story.
In August last year, just a few months after his 50th birthday, RSY suddenly took up singing. As we said earlier, this was upon the request of his daughter. Despite having not sung any tune in his past, RSY gamely took up the challenge and gifted his daughter with not just one song but a mini album – selections from Martin Nievera, John Legend, Barry Manilow, Ed Sheeran. It was an eye-opener not only for Kirsten and Kyle and members of his immediate family and friends (Rommel unabashedly shared his songs on Facebook.). It was an eye-opener for himself — that he can sing and that his voice has an extraordinary range (3 octaves according to his voice coach).
Wait, he has a voice coach? Yes, indeed. Those who know Rommel would testify that RSY doesn’t do anything half-heartedly. His passions are prodigious. He totally immerses himself in anything that he commits to doing. And that is why he succeeds.
But while Rommel actually surprised himself that he can sing well enough to even join a contest, those familiar with his mother’s side of the family, the Salva side, are not at all surprised. Rommel’s mother had two brothers – Fidel and Serafin, who are accomplished singers. Uncle Fidel was a Tawag ng Tanghalan champion back in the day and was the so-called Jerry Vale of the Philippines while Uncle Apin was tagged the Pavarotti of Iloilo City. Rommel recalled that, as a kid, his mother would often tell him that he had the Salva voice. Now, he kicks himself in the butt for not heeding Mom’s words early in life. He might have been a recording star. Who knows?
It may well have been providential, however, that Rommel’s musical psyche was triggered late in his life, when he has already found much success as an entrepreneur. We will find out why later.
Meanwhile, not contented with developing his newfound singing prowess, Ynion set his sights on learning to accompany himself with the guitar, the drums, and – would you believe it? – the saxophone. He has memorized the guitar chord book and has already polished a few strums to sing along to. He has bashed the drums often enough to put blisters on his thumb and trigger fingers. But as for the sax, I still strongly doubt whether he can learn enough to do a passable blow job.
Be that as it may, Rommel Ynion’s musical journey that began with some very fulfilling personal discoveries is now moving on to a quest for musical excellence, an inclusive voyage that has brought on board not just his family but many newfound friends in the music community.
Aviators in the 60s, test pilots mostly, coined the term “pushing the envelope” when they try to fly above the zenith and beyond the limits of their flying machines. Such too is Rommel’s apparent rule in life – there are no halfway measures.
When he took up singing, he hired a voice coach. When he ventured into learning drums he enlisted Michael Alba, a professional session drummer and percussionist, Music Arranger, Music Director, Music Scorer for Television, Drums and Percussion Instructor and one of the country’s finest and most in-demand musicians. As the saying goes, it must have cost a pretty penny to hire such a talented, famous, and in-demand musician to show you the ropes. But Rommel did it not just for himself and his son, Kyle, but also for a bunch of drum enthusiasts from Iloilo who he does not even know. They are now Batch 102 of the Michael Alba Drum Program (MADP).
In the language of the showbiz industry, it’s a tough act to follow. But Rommel Ynion keeps on outdoing himself. In these pandemic times when most everyone – not excepting those in the music industry – are out of jobs, Rommel Ynion has embarked on an epic mission to record 100 songs. Initially, with him as the lead singer, they have recorded a few songs under the label Above and A Bob which is also a Facebook page. Check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/aboveandabob/
Already they have recorded a number of songs: Through the Fire by Chaka Khan; Eric Clapton’s deeply moving tribute to his son’s death, Tears in Heaven; and an OPM hit, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal by Boyfriends. The latter song (https://www.facebook.com/aboveandabob/videos/976523802795241/) has been viewed over 20,000 times jut about a week after it was uploaded – a tribute to the band’s skills and Rommel Ynion’s voice and growing musicality.
Said Rommel Ynion of his new venture: “Musicians are now mired in the pandemic-induced Dark Ages. The entertainment world through which they have channeled their musical talents have ground to a halt. What can I do for them? I can’t save them all. But I can make a difference in my inner circle of musician friends who are close to my heart. For them, I will sing 100 songs to keep them busy. For every song, they all receive talent fees, including singers who will soon sing with me. Now, they earn something. At least, it is better than nothing!”
Bless You, Rommel Ynion, ever the philanthropist. The out of work musicians are so excited about the project that they are describing it as “a prospect of artistic renaissance.”
(PS. For those who are wondering, Rommel was nicknamed Bab by family and close friends in his younger days because of his plus size. Now it’s spelled Bob.)
