De Alba on Amapola
By Entertainer David de Alba
*Amapola is a lovely flower and also the name of a beautiful song, so it is destined that it be the name of a very talented, multi-lingual actress and singer, Diva Amapola. Many moons ago I was honored to be twice a guest on her acclaimed television show in San Francisco; she even interviewed me then. Now years later, on the other side of the table, it's my turn. So here it goes! Ladies and gentleman of the Web, the only lady singer I know named Amapola.
David: Amapola dear, we have known each other for many years, but I never asked you this before; Why did you leave the gorgeous city of San Francisco after having been so successful there, and was it difficult to adjust to your new life?
Amapola: Hi David! Thank you for this interview. That is indeed an interesting question and I never had the chance to explain to my followers why I left SF during the height of my popularity there. The answer to your question? Cruise ships took me away (literally) from San Francisco. I started cruising in 1986 on the Royal Viking Sky and soon I found myself singing onboard all their luxury ships in the Royal Viking Fleet : Sky, Sea, Star and the Royal Viking Sun. Soon other ships hired me and the next thing I knew, it became a another full blown singing career.
David: What is the best and worst part of being on the road most of the time and are you lonely at times?
Amapola: The Best Part: Seeing the world and getting paid to do it. I travelled inland on my road tours since I was very young, then onboard luxury ships from 1986 to 1998. I still go onboard ships occasionally as I desire. In 1996, I visited both the Arctic and the Antarctic within 6 months onboard the ms Hanseatic. The Worst Part: Not having any roots. Not having REAL friends. Not staying in one place. Living in hotels and cruise ships and never being home on holidays. Not seeing my family in San Francisco. Now that I am on land more, my family has gotten used to the idea of my absence. That is the worst part of all!
David: Of all the countries besides your homeland, The Philippines, that you have visited, if you had to choose one to call home, which would that be?
Amapola: What an interesting question. I love it. I lived in England 10 years (my husband Steve Woodward is British) and I loved it there, but the weather is much too cold and damp for me. I fell in love with Italy and France and almost moved to Paris in 1986. To answer your question, I probably would divide my time between Italy and the South of France.
David: You play many musical instruments. Can you tell us what they are, and who influenced you to play them?
Amapola: Piano, bass, drums, guitar (classic), vibraphone, marimba, timbales, used to play the violin, but without practise that fell on the wayside. I dabble with the flute but didn't pursue it further as my vocals, vibes and my piano took most of the available hours to practise. My parents Mahnee & Sheila Cabase started me off and gave me the support I needed to be a concert pianist. They frowned on my singing but the bug had bitten me and there was nothing else they could do, so they helped me with my singing career eventually. My father plays ALL musical instruments. Please see his biography http://cabase.com/manny.htm
David: In your travels you met many famous entertainers. Is there a one or two that really impressed you?
Amapola: Movie Star Brendan Fraser was impressive. We met through his parents onboard the ms Song Of Flower. We did not know who he was (we had our own world onboard the ship and we were often uninformed about Hollywood) and so he relaxed and enjoyed himself. Still he gave me a few autographs and now he is a huge star. His parents knew he was going to be a mega star, and after we spent a few more times with him, we knew why. He has looks, talent and drive. How can he miss?
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