Claire realizes dream
via latest album

CLAIRE Dela Fuente has always been a dreamer; and most importantly an indefatigable achiever. "Dreams propel me to work hard to make them come true, "Claire casually beams without trying hard to sound profound. "I just continue dreaming and go on working to the best of my ability."

The song artist who is now on the brink of international stardom, simply feels she is lucky to have the best people in the industry who have supported her achieve so many things in life.

There was the great songwriter George Canseco who discovered her when she joined a singing contest at the University of the East.

"I was gawky teener then when the late George Canseco judged the singing tilt and picked me as the champion," Claire recalls. "Then she offered me to sing the Hope commercial and that break opened so many doors for me."

Claire became a household name when she came out with a self-titled album which spawned the hits "Sayang, "Minsan-Minsan," and many more. The multi-platinum album also gave her a chance to do her first international album which was released in Asia.

All the successes didn’t change Claire a bit. When she came to Tropicana for an album cover pictorial, the photography legend Ador Cruz mumbled upon seeing Claire: "Napakaganda ng boses ng batang ito, pero nandito at kinakaladkad ang bakya niya."

Comments never affected Claire who just continued dreaming and singing.

Although she has never stopped performing here and abroad, it was only last year that Claire decided to give ample time to her recording career once more.

She recorded her "Something in Your Eyes" album for Viva Records, entirely in the USA with Christian de Walden as producer. Some of the cuts in the CD are even mixed and mastered in Italy.

With Viva Big Boss Vic del Rosario and Claire herself as executive producers, the tandem worked hard to come up with an album of world class quality.

"Claire has all the reason to be inspired and excited about her Something in Your Eyes album," Boss Vic smiles as if he’s quite sure of releasing another super hit.

"To be able to have an album with such beautiful songs and will be released in the world’s biggest markets such as USA and Japan is another big dream come true," Claire declares.

"But the biggest dream of my life is to be able to record a song composed by my idol, Richard Carpenter," Claire adds. "Until now, I could hardly believe that all the things happening to me are true. Parang panaginip parin lahat."

The title track, "Something in Your Eyes" is a Richard Carpenter creation. When Richard first heard the final copy of the recorded song, he was all praise to Claire’s performance. This is simply the reason why the composer/producer/arranger/performer readily accepted Claire’s invitation to be the guest of honor in the "Something in Your Eyes" album launch.

Richard also gave his nod to be in a musical tribute to him at ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, "ASAP ’08" last February 17. Later in the afternoon of the same day, the multi-awarded artist also joined Claire in her first mall show at the SM Mall of Asia.

While it’s true that Claire is walking on Cloud 9 these days, she still has a firm hold on reality. "Actually the feeling is that I am starting with my singing career again," she laughs. "Daig ko pa ang nag-uumpisa ulit. There are so many things to do and more ladders to climb."

The "Something in Your Eyes" promo blitz is sponsored by Philippine Airlines, Shell Diesolin Ultra, Muebles Italiano, Seaside Paluto Restaurant, Love Radio, and Guangtong Motors. Claire is also happy with her new CD because it gave a big break to her son Gigo De Guzman, who co-wrote "If I Dream Without You." One of her favorite tracks in the CD, the young student from Ateneo University co-wrote it with American lyricist Pamela Philips-Oland.