Not only because balladeer Rafael Centenera is a Spanish mestizo so he also speaks and sings Spanish, it is his penchant for the music and uniqueness of the language as well.
"Spanish music is very sweet and enticing so I love doing it," admitted Rafael whose record to fame was an English song, titled "Missing You," a hit Vehnee Saturno composition released by Dyna Records in the early 80s.
Singing Spanish songs, is a variation in themes for Centenera, he said, which gives him diversity in performance and loving and living Spanish language and music.
"I am also very at home with Tagalog and English songs," he reminded.
Rafael was born in Manila to a Spanish mestiza mom and an insular dad whose father was a peninsular.
"That's why my inclination to Spanish is very obvious," he quipped.
This Christmas season, and all-year round, Rafael sticks to his multicultural and trilingual or even quadrupule musical orientation as he keeps his chest of variety music.
He doesn't only sing solo Spanish music, he performs duets as well like when he sang with Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales at the Instituto de Cervantes Manila sometime ago.
Radio hosting
On Saturday, December 23, Centenera will once more regal his fans and listeners alike with his versatile rendition of Spanish Christmas songs like "Feliz Navidad" in DZRH's graveyard show "Tita Ems Magazine" at 2:00 to 4:00 a.m.
"I co-cost the program and in the spirit if the holiday season, I will dish out a Spanish Christmas song but don't you worry, aside from 'Besame Mucho," 'Volare,' 'Istoria con Amor' and a lot more, I will keep in my repository more foreign and local songs," he assured.
Photo Caption: Rafael Centenera (Photo Credit: Boy Villasanta)
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