Filipino duo’s music and magic in Phnom Penh

MANILA, Philippines – If people come along the riverside in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, they will find entertainment establishments along the left bank.

Decorated with different lights are cafes, restaurants, and bars that are open at night.

Many of these establishments, of course, feature music, a lot of it live, by a performing band.

English-language songs are popular among the patrons. The times have truly changed in Phnom Penh.

Another striking facet is that many of the performers are Filipnos, rather than American or Cambodian. They perform as frontmen or as musicians in their bands.

Julie Suzanne Cruz, who has been singing for more than 10 years, remembers starting her singing career in South Korea with a 7-piece band. Her “more than 10 years” covers much of this stint.

Then in 2009, the band moved to Cambodia as a resident ensemble at the Phnom Penh Hotel.

But the group was disbanded two years later.

From ensemble to duo

Julie and another band member, Ronaldo Rocela, decided to be a duo called Stringz and Soul, which is now their current enterprise.

Julie sings and Ronaldo plays the guitar. She subs on the guitar when Ronaldo switches to the saxophone. Sometimes they both play the guitar.

“Music is inspiring, it’s food for the soul, and we are proud to be musicians,” Julie says.

The 39-year-old singer-guitarist is proud to note that this duo appeals to a wide audience regardless of age.

The duo works 3 hours a night and Julie sings up to 30 songs in a given set. They perform at the Fish Cafe and at the Motor Cafe, two popular bars in Phnom Penh.

Julie is also proud of her duo’s wide repertoire, covering songs in English, Tagalog, Chinese, Korean, Cambodian, and Spanish.

The duo is paid $40 a night, plus free food and drinks.

They are popular among their patrons, who by Julie’s estimate are “90 percent Cambodians and 10 percent foreigners.”

Hospitality

Because of their popularity, Stringz and Soul has been getting offers to play in special occasions which are often huge gatherings. These events usually take place in October.

She is happy to note that Cambodia is open to “foreigners” like her, which she says shows the hospitality of the Khmer people.

In the Philippines, on the other hand, musicians are very competitive. But Filipinos will seize any opportunity to work abroad.

Julie and Ronaldo would be happy to work again in the Philippines, but things are going well right now.

“Entertaining guests is the biggest challenge,” Julie says about her work. “We must sing their favorite songs to keep their interest.”

As a band, Stringz and Soul has its challenges. But Julie and Ronaldo are proud to prove to the world that Filipinos are the best in music, she says.

Song requests, songwriting

Rithy Lomorpich, a third year student at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, says she checks out the club scene to listen to music as performed by Filipinos.

“The music makes me feel relaxed and refreshed,” she says.

Rithy marvels at how good Filipinos can sing in English and their performances can rival the Western singers.

Stringz and Soul makes it a point to be updated with trends, according to song requests. Besides singing, Julie is now also into songwriting.

Oh, there’s one crucial detail we should mention. Julie and Ronaldo are married, with 3 children finishing their studies in the Philippines.

No wonder they make wonderful music. – Rappler.com