Describing Penny as a professional musician doesn’t do justice to the passion she has for singing. Her introduction to the art form came at the age of just nine years old: “Noong araw, kapag estudyante ka sa elementary school, naaassign kami maghatid ng lunch sa mga classroom. Isang araw, habang naghahatid ako ng lunch, may narinig akong kumanta galing sa music room sa school. Sumilip naman ako at nakita ko na may teacher at may batang kumakanta. Tinanong ako ng teacher kung gusto kong mag-audition para sa singing contest para sa school namin,” [Back in the day, when you were an elementary student, they would assign different kids to bring lunch to different classrooms. One day, while I was bringing lunch, I heard singing coming from the music room. I had a peek, and inside was a teacher and one of the students singing. The teacher asked me if I wanted to audition for the upcoming singing contest at the school.]
“Tamang hindi naman ako mahiyain at marunong naman akong kumanta, kaya sumali ako. Nanalo ako ng silver medal. Doon ko narealise na ang pagkanta ang gusto ko talagang gawin,” [I wasn’t shy, and I knew how to sing, so I joined. I won the silver medal. That’s when I realised that singing is something I wanted to pursue] she shares.
Her first foray into national television followed right after her silver medal win.
“Hindi ko talaga makakalimutan ‘yung araw na iyon. Napag-utusan akong bumili ng yelo at habang naglalakad ako, narinig ko sa TV ng kapitbahay ang announcement na ‘bukas na ang auditions para sa Bulilit Bagong Kampeon…’ biglang napahinto ako at nakinuod. Noong panahon na ‘yon hindi pa maraming nagmamay-ari TV kaya nakisilip ako sa bintana,” [I would never forget that day. I was asked to buy some ice from the store, and on my way, I heard from a neighbour’s TV the announcement, ‘Auditions are now open for Bulilit Bagong Kampeon…’ I stopped to listen in. Back in those days, not a lot of people owned TVs so I was just watching through their window] Penny laughs.
Bulilit Bagong Kampeon (Little New Champion in English) was a popular nationwide singing competition in the Philippines back in the late 80s and early 90s, which launched the careers of the likes of Donna Cruz and Regine Velasquez. “I got through the auditions and went through several eliminations, but I wasn’t able to beat the champion. Even if I didn’t win, it was an unforgettable moment for me. It encouraged me to be better and to pursue singing,” she continues.
Growing up with a grandfather, Tex Salcedo, a highly respected composer/arranger for the likes of Pilita Corales and Deumedes Maturan; a musician father, Joey Salcedo, who travelled around Asia with his band, The Salcedo Brothers; and drummer brother, Michael Salcedo, who plays with many successful local bands in Hong Kong (Shepherds The Weak, The Carpio Brothers), it was almost inevitable for Penny to be drawn into a life of music.
She reminisces about travelling to different towns to compete in various singing contests with her Auntie Baby, who took care of Penny from 7 months old until she was 17. One of the biggest supporters of her musical career, Auntie Baby was featured during the first international edition of Talentadong Pinoy on TV5, where Penny was crowned champion in 2012, and in 2017, when Penny made it into the top 4 finalists for the Global Tawag ng Tanghalan representing Hong Kong.
Penny came to Hong Kong in 1991 and started singing with her father’s band at Panda Hotel in Kowloon when she was only 17 years old. After receiving her first paycheck, she was enticed into the heady life of a career singer. Then in 1994, she got married and had a daughter, who now lives in Macau and is a mom herself to two young children.
Things were not to last for the young couple, and Penny divorced her first husband after six years. “I suffered domestic abuse. Hindi ko shinishare ito para siraan ang aking ex-husband, i-share ko ang aking kwento para sa mga kababaihan na ganito din ang pinagdadaanan,” [I suffered domestic abuse. I am not sharing this because I want to defame my ex-husband, I want to share this for other women who are going through this too] she says.
There is always hope. You need to trust in God’s Plan. Even on our darkest moments, there is always a light to guide us where we are supposed to be
– Penny Salcedo
After that, Penny got into another relationship with a new partner, with whom she had two children, though they eventually split up after 4 years. “Hindi naman mahirap ang magpatawad. Pero kung hindi naman willing ‘yung isang side, wala ka din naming magagawa,” [It’s not difficult to forgive. But, if the other side is not willing to, even if you’re the one extending the peace, there is not much you can do] shares Penny. “As a MCGI (Members Church of God International) Christian, I am open to forgiveness if that is what God wills it to be. If He wants us to be on speaking terms, I won’t resist it,” she adds.
As she turns 51, Penny ponders her life with Jerelyn Lamparero, better known as DJ Saycee, for the past 17 years. Since she joined MCGI, Penny emphasises that Jerelyn is part of her life and family in accordance with the teachings of their church – ‘one in heart, mind, and spirit in obedience to God’.
Together, Penny and Jerelyn form a formidable music duo called Vocal Point International Power Duo; they not only perform live corporate and private events, but also compose jingles, collaborate with brands and products, and are open to gig/session musician work. They run PStv Show Online – a variety show where they run competitions, perform live music, interview guests, and talk about life in general.
The future they envisage is one where their talents are properly showcased to both local and international audiences. “We are open to collaborations with a talent manager, or people and venues who are looking to support our art form and help us bring our music to everyone,” says Penny.
Although Penny projects an air of confidence, exudes a radiant personality, and is carried forward strongly by her faith, it hasn’t always been this way. “I have been through some very dark times. At some point, even contemplating ending my life. On one particularly bad day, so many things were happening: an argument with my eldest daughter, Jerelyn and I having a heated discussion, no word from the Global Tawag ng Tanghalan rounds whether I had made it or not… I went home with my son, who was still quite young back then; I tucked him into bed, cuddled him, and kept telling him I was sorry,” Penny tearfully shares.
“When he fell asleep, I went into our room. I turned off the lights; it was a small windowless room, and it was so hot. My sweat and my tears were flowing together as I shakily prepared to overdose on medication,” she continues.
“Kahit kakaunti nalang ang pag-asa na natitira sa puso’t isipan ko sa moment na iyon, nanalangin pa din ako. Nagdasal ako, ‘Holy Spirit, please come to my aid’, at sa sandaling iyon nag light up ang aking phone,” [Even though there was but a tiny sliver of hope left in my heart and mind at that very moment, I still prayed. I said, ‘Holy Spirit, please come to my aid’, and right there and then my phone lit up] says Penny.
“I could see on the screen the text message read, ‘Announcement of the top 10 for the Global Tawag ng Tanghalan’ – I made the finals. The silence that followed was deafening. I could suddenly see with clarity that I am NOT done with life; I am NOT done with doing what I love. It strengthened my resolve, and [for me] it was through God’s grace that I was uplifted. Saying sorry to God about what I was planning to do in that moment of despair was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” she nods thoughtfully.
Life can bring unexpected twists and turns. Sometimes we might feel invincible one day, but vulnerable on the next. Penny Salcedo has overcome adversity and is proof that we should never give up on our dreams. “There is always hope. You need to trust in God’s Plan. Even in our darkest moments, there is always a light to guide us where we are supposed to be,” ends Penny.
Penny Salcedo Official: https://www.facebook.com/PennySalcedoOfficialPage
Vocal Point Duo: https://www.facebook.com/VocalPointDuo
PStvShowOnline: https://www.facebook.com/PStvShowOnline
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