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Tony Bennett was impressive: Here he was, world reknowned singer and he was shy when we met. We chat and his eyes avert away from mine as he speaks. He is soft-spoken, very modest and to me that is what is so appealing about Tony, well, not to mention his unquestionable and enduring talent.

Pauline Collins, Oscar Winning Actress for the film "Shirley Valentine". We met her at the backstage of the Victoria Theatre in Woking, a few miles from London on one of her opening plays. I was impressed that after winning the Oscar and her face on covers of magazines and all, she was by herself, carrying her own gym bag with her car keys in her hand ready to leave. No bodyguards or lackeys or hangers on.

David: Because you sing in different languages, which do you feel best conveys the emotion of your songs?

Amapola: English and Spanish songs. I can also emote Italian and French songs but somehow I have this natural flair for the Spanish language, I don't know why. It has to be reincarnation.

David: You are the hostess of a new Internet radio show that airs once a week. Can you tell us something about it, and do you have other challenging new projects in your future that you can talk about?

Amapola: Your readers can log on to http://radyobisaya.com or http://amapola.net to see what I do in these programs. I felt that Radyo Bisaya ng Amerika was needed to unite my fellow Visayans from the Visayan region of the Philippines, (South of Manila). However, the program will not alienate the other dialects or languages because I play any kind of music that I truly enjoy listening to. "Amapola Presents" my latest launched program will feature many of my live performances onboard ships and on various venues.

David: Of all the shows you have done in your life, is there one in particular that you remember most fondly and that you feel was the highlight of your career?

Amapola: Unarguably my "Live At The Manila Hotel Concert" webcast Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the month of August. I had the best of everything on that concert: the best singers, musicians, production crew, etc. All I had to do was perform, and I think that is the dream of every performer.

David: What does Amapola like to do when she is not busy performing?

Amapola: I work on all my websites along with my friends Mack, Nancy and Wolfie who have been very helpful in educating me about HTML, DHTML and Multi-Media which I am still struggling with. When I am not on my computer, I dabble with my sound studio, producing audios and CDs, then I practise on my piano and guitar. While watching TV I like to crochet and have finished several dolls for Christmas gift-giving to friends, and, when the mood strikes, I like to cook various dishes from any country. I experiment and I am lucky I have a husband who is adventurous and will try anything, at least once, ha ha. 'Too much to do, too little time' is a favourite expression of mine.

David: Your Web site is fantastic. Because of it have you met other entertainers or interesting people that you would not have otherwise?

Amapola: Definitely! The first entertainer I met online was you! I was surfing one day while I still lived in Britain and there you were on my monitor. I was new to the Internet then and that really bowled me over! I also found you because as I searched for "Amapola" on the search engine, curious about other people named Amapola, that's how I found your Web site. Your mention of guesting on my TV show Amapola Presents was what brought me to you. Thanks David!

David: Is there something about you that most people don’t know that is very "you" that perhaps you could share with us?

Amapola: Very me? Hmmmm. Let's see. Okay, here's a couple: Believe it or not, personally, I am VERY shy with people. Oh, I hate the telephone, I don't know why.

David: Have you ever considered writing an autobiography about your gypsy life as an entertainer? Many of my entertainer friends are doing so.

Amapola: I have started in my word processor, in my journal, in bits of paper napkins here and there and it is time to sit down and finally get it together and edit it for publishing that I cannot find. Any editors who read this, please e-mail me.

David: Most great artists have lots of ups and downs in their career. What was the lowest point in your life?

Amapola: Lowest point in my life was when I tried to make it in Hollywood and had to live in a cockroach infested apartment. No jobs, savings going fast and no hopes of meeting anyone who could "discover" me. I started oil painting and sold my work for $35. I could have sold those paintings for more but I needed to eat!

David: If you had a chance to live your life over, what would you change about the life of the singing legend Amapola?

Amapola: I would go back at the age of 14 and convince my parents to say yes to that gentleman who once offered to make me a star in America. There you are David. I enjoyed answering your questions very much. I want to thank you for our friendship that started from the very first day when we met on the set of "Amapola Presents" (KEMO TV-20 in San Francisco). Through all our respective successes in both our careers and through the predictable ups and downs (but thankfully they were mostly up!), we have remained loyal friends and I think it is a rare privilege. Thank you David de Alba for your friendship. Always, Amapola.

More Celebrity Interviews at Entertainer David de Alba's Multi-Awarded Theatrical Website

* Cuban/American entertainer David de Alba (also known as "Heri, Hairstylist of the Stars") is known for his live singing impressions as a concert artist since 1965. He has worked at the world famous Finocchio Club of San Francisco (USA) for many years. Visit the award winning Web Site "David de Alba’s Theatrical Arts & Tributes" at http://david-de-alba.com and you can e-mail him at david-heri@citlink.net