Friendly rivals Oriel Padura, Ejay Alia team up for Expat Duets
DUBAI - The best singing rivalry in the UAE is sometimes tested in the most unexpected ways. Just ask Oriel Padura and Ejay Alia. The Dubai-based singers are no strangers no friendly rivalry, having competed against each other in various singing competitions in the UAE where they often end up either the champion or the runner-up. But this time the two have found themselves in a surprising position: teaming up for Expat Duets, a six-week musical showdown where they compete with top duets in the country. “This is my first time to join a duet competition since I have always been competing as a solo singer,” Alia, 37, told Expatmedia.net. “I am glad to meet new talents and it is the nicest experience having this rare competition… The friendships that we developed among contestants have only become stronger each week and we look forward to working with them within or outside the competition,” he said. “Expat Duets not only gives us the opportunity to enjoy what we love doing. Every week it gives us a challenge to learn different genres of music. My best experience so far is performing the Broadway song ‘Why God Why’ from Miss Saigon,” Padura told Expatmedia.net.
When not one stage, Padura and Alia are the best of friends, having worked in General Santos in the Philippines where they first met 14 years ago. Alia was a radio jockey back then while Padura was a trainee. They hit it off right away, bonding over their love for music. They remained friends even after they moved to the UAE, where Padura and Alia work as travel consultants. Padura, 34, arrived here in 2010, while Alia moved here three years later. Let’s get to know them better with their Q&A with Expatmedia.net: Describe yourself when you’re not performing on stage. Padura: I always find myself watching movies or some TV series. I also love to cook and bake so in my spare time I browse for new recipes online. I also think that physical health is vital so I make sure to have time going to the gym or going out for a walk in the park. Alia: People see me as a dynamic individual and an extrovert. I am always working to become an inspiration to others in my own little way. What's your life like in the UAE? Tell us about it. Padura: My life here is quite different from back home. I grew up in the southern part of the Philippines, in the small town of South Cotabato where I had a relaxed life as a farm boy. In the UAE, the corporate world keeps me busy. Although the UAE is now my second home, I have no regrets coming here because despite the absence of my family I do not feel alone since I'm surrounded by good friends. On top of that, I have the opportunity to share my gift in music. Alia: When I moved to Dubai five years ago, it was a challenging but exciting time for me. I have worked as an operations manager in an events company for one term. I have been singing professionally on my free time in the UAE and have been picked as the front act for some local artists. You can often see me performing in clubs or in private events.
Have you always loved music? Tell us about the first time you performed in public. Padura: Music has always been a part of my family. I pretty much grew up singing and performing at home or at school. My mom told me my first public performance was at a church gathering when I was 3 years old. Alia: Music is a gift from God that keeps me going as a performer. I was quite young when I first performed in public and I felt a mixture of excitement and stage fright. I initially had this fear that people would laugh at me, but that did not stop me from doing what I loved and believed in. Who is your musical inspiration and why? Padura: My parents. I remember them singing and playing the guitar or piano almost everyday. I thank them for that because music made me who I am today. It comforts me when I’m in my deepest moments. It is like my daily dose of sunshine. Alia: My family is my inspiration since my mom was a former choir lead soprano and my dad was a guitarist when he was younger. My music involves power ballads and modern music. I grew up listening to Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera and Jed Madella. Today, I am inspired when listening to songs of Bruno Mars and Adelle. If you could describe your current life in a song, what would that song be? Padura: “I Will Be Here”. Alia: “I Believe I Can Fly” by R. Kelly. I have had ups and downs in life but I still have my eyes on my goals. This song embodies my current situation and I continue to live my life to its fullest.
What achievements in your life are you particularly proud of? Tell us more about these milestones. Padura: I am proud to be working in one of the best airline companies in the world. As an artist I have grown so much by joining and winning a couple of singing contests. I also get to perform with several international and local artists. Alia: On a professional level, I have gained a lot of respect from fellow musicians after I won prestigious singing competitions here in Dubai. What do you love about your expat life in the UAE? Padura: We live in a place where diversity is very much accepted. I have made friends from different nationalities and culture. Alia: What I appreciate most as an expat is the opportunity to be in a country that you did not grow up in. Learning from various cultures educated me as a professional. What is your motto in life? Padura: Life is short, live life to the fullest. Alia: Always keep swinging. When I am in a slump or if I am having trouble off the field, the only thing to do is keep swinging. Best lesson you've learned in life. Padura: Love unconditionally, which includes not only others but ourselves as well. Give and never expect anything in return. Alia: Balance your social life and work and learn to fight your own battle since no one else will. Your message to other expats in the UAE. Padura: Work hard. Have fun and enjoy life. Make a difference. Alia: Just keep soaring as high as you can.
DON'T MISS IT What: Expat Duets (Grand Finals) When: March 10, 9 p.m. Where: Vegas Dubai, Holiday Inn Bur Dubai Tickets: Entrance is 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