Singer-actress Nicole Laurel has just released her newest single and music video, “Christmas Without You,” and the song is stirring quite the pre-holiday buzz on popular music platforms, like Spotify and YouTube.
“I am just so elated to share with every one this very special song,” she shared when we spoke to her recently. Laurel cowrote the song, released by Warner Music Philippines, with Nigerian singer and songwriter Sam Akins.
“One day I found myself humming this melody and out came the first few lines of the song but after that, I could not seem to squeeze anything out so I took a breather and watched Christmas movies on Netflix with the hope of drawing some inspiration to finish the lyrics which luckily naturally flowed in and just after a day, I completed the initial draft of the song,” she volunteered.
Laurel and Akins made a few lyrical adjustments and the final collaboration was just so smooth and seamless. “Thematically, I wanted the song to traverse from having the persona alone in the present time to plunge into her colorful memories with her lover. Hence, a musical shift was necessary.”
Laurel’s real-life paramour, the gorgeous and gifted musician Ira Cruz, also came in as a coproducer and the beautiful couple tapped topnotch jazz arranger Michael Guevarra to oversee the song’s big-band requirements.
The music video was shot in San Pedro, Laguna, in only a day.
“I wanted the video to be very simple and straightforward, something light, warm, sincere and comfortable to watch. When my director Gorio Vicuña and I agreed on the concept, each sequence was done in a breeze. It is doubly special because we shot at the house of my Lola (Celia Diaz-Laurel). We lost her this year and I feel she guides me in my every project because she has always been the family’s source of love and strength. It was after her passing that I started to write songs again.”
Laurel adds that she is overwhelmed with the support of many of her colleagues in the entertainment industry. “I remain thankful for all these blessings that continue to pour into my life and my still very young career. I’ve been working really hard to lay down good foundations for both my singing and acting careers and it feels wonderful that I get to work with people who value me, my creativity, and share my dreams.”
RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS
Gretchen Barretto has been leading a very private life for many years now, but her presence in the entertainment industry is continuously being felt.
It’s been seven years since she acted for a film (Chito Roño’s The Trial) and a decade since her last memorable outings on television. Her characters in both Magkaribal and Princess and I have now become classics in the TV drama landscape.
For a few months now, people have been speculating on the real reason why Barretto has been sending out love boxes to many people in the entertainment circuit. These boxes contain premium goodies and food brands, and some even come with special Jasmine rice. From those that are closest to her, they say that Barretto simply wants to share her blessings and make people believe again in kindness and generosity.
This industry is known to be a jungle, oftentimes heartless, where only the toughest survive. During her active years, Barretto had her fair share of highs and lows, cuddles and blows, but she has remained undaunted, resilient and tough. She has even learned the art of silence, acceptance, calmness and composure, and we reckon these have become her strengths, making her the empowered woman that she has become.
To all those who have been touched by her generosity, may we all continue to believe in goodness and gratitude, and may we be inspired to practice random acts of kindness especially in this season of joy, love and hope.