TOMADA from the Philippines

A relative sent me a message almost 2 months ago. I replied back to her immediately but then my email came back to me. She saw me on my website http://www.jonahtomada.com/ . The truth is that, I don’t know her and I haven’t met her. She found me on my website that is why she sent me an email. I knew she was a relative because she mentioned an older relative whom we all know. I was a bit sad because I wasn’t able to help her and at the same time we didn’t get to know each other more.

Yesterday, another relative sent me a message. She saw me on my website as well. I was really surprised because we used to chat in her store in Manila. We also talked a lot about music because she is a musician and a great singer herself. I was so happy she has found me!

If your family or maiden name “Tomada” kindly join me on my forum http://www.jonahtomada.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12 or you can also check and join us in the Sacay - Tomada website http://sacay-tomada.ning.com/ so we can all get to know each other.

2008 Photos

Sharing you some of my photos this year 2008.

Singing Lessons

After five lessons from a very well known singing school in Melbourne, Australia I stopped going to the school. I got so bored with the vocal exercise and I thought the technique the teacher was trying to teach me was ridiculous. She wants me to lift my cheeks, drop my jaw and open my mouth. When I asked her why, her explanation was more confusing than dropping my jaw and lifting my cheeks. When I joined a group class one time, one student asked why he has been having a sore throat from singing. The reply was embarrassing, I realized they are not well trained because of the unknown facts the teacher was saying. The school was very popular because the founder and owner had some great qualifications in the music industry and he is a singer himself in Australia.

So there I go frustrated and went to find another school. It didn’t took me a long time to find “Invisible World” now “Dreamquest Singing Academy”, and decided to give it a try since it was closer from where I live compared to the other school. The founder of the Academy was my teacher, a soft spoken and reserved lady, Melissiah. What impressed me most were the answers she gives me to every question I ask. Her teaching was spot on to my category. You see, I have been singing professionally with different bands around the Asia Pacific. I was also a vocal coach at the “The Centre for the Pop Music Philippines” in Manila since I was 19 years old. The previous teacher was giving me exercises for someone who have just started singing and who doesn’t know all about it. With Melissiah I enjoyed every session we had and for the first time in my life I understand what my body was doing during singing. I always look forward to learning more from her until my husband got another job in Beijing, China.

I went back to the Academy after 2 years and took a Diploma for VoicePower Coaching. I was very lucky to be accepted because Melissiah doesn’t just train anybody. She makes sure that whoever she trains share the same passion as her. So after a number of applicants there are only two teachers she trained so far that are VoicePower Coach around the world and that includes me. These are Melissiah’s own words;

At Dreamquest Singing Academy we teach students how to sing correctly, powerfully and beautifully, using their entire body, mind and soul. The way we have developed our singing methodology is through science and research. The way we help students develop their talent is through fun, commitment and passion. At Dreamquest you will certainly discover you are 'born to sing'.

I started teaching in Singapore and had a very overwhelming response. I have students from 10 years old to 50 years old, it was rewarding to be able to share your knowledge and experience to the people who are willing to be educated with their singing instrument. I always say, “we only have one pair of vocal folds, if you enjoy singing or want to pursue singing as a profession I advise you to understand your singing instrument to avoid damaging your only pair of vocal folds, because once it is damaged you can’t get another one.”

DREAMQUEST SINGING ACADEMY http://www.howtosing.com.au/

JONAH

My name Jonah was very popular with my family, friends and fans during the time I was very active in singing competitions. It’s my nickname and was also my stage name when I was still living with my parents. It is a combination of my parent’s names; JOse and JosefiNA. I thought it looks nicer with the letter “h” at the end that is why it became Jonah.

My real name was used in school and if it’s required, but I am Jonah outside school. Nowadays, the only people who calls me Jonah are my parents, sister, brother, hubby, nieces, nephews, relatives, very close friends in Leyte and those who knew me from my singing contest days. I became known as Jonah Tomada when I started singing that is why I chose my stage name as my official website. I think I have to get used to it again as new fans are calling me Jonah.

Do you have a website?

Amapola Cabase better known as Amapola is a famous recording artist in the Philippines, Asia Pacific and the US mainland. She was the one who gave me the idea of making my own compilations about my singing career. We met each other through one of the singing sites. She asked me if I have a website that she can look at, and I thought website about me?!? I didn’t really think much about it but then I get questions every now and then from members of the same site about my singing.

When I was holidaying in Australia with my family a few months ago I had the chance to think about it again. I thought of my parents who are so proud of me, my brothers and sister. I thought of my husband and our daughter. I thought of everybody who loves me who wants to see and know how I did with my singing career since I started singing at an early age. I realized it’s not about me; it’s about the people who appreciate my talent.

I once again thought of Amapola. This lady is so talented that I just shake my head of admiration when I hear her voice as well as her achievements. What I didn’t realize though is that she became a big influence to me. I had so much respect to her because of her loving and very supportive attitude towards me. My website was created merely because of her question if I have a website where she can look at. Thank you Amapola!

Amapola’s websites: http://www.theamapola.com/career/index.htm
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Amapola_Cabase
http://members.tripod.com/amapola2008/

Official Website of JONAH TOMADA

First of all I am grateful to Jason and Janice Young of Signature Verve for helping me set up my Official Website www.jonahtomada.com

I mentioned to them that I was thinking of my own website. We had a casual chat about it when I went to Australia with my husband and daughter last March and April 2008 for a holiday. We were there to celebrate Trinity's (my daughter) birthday too. 

I came up with the idea because I wanted my children and loved ones to see my simple accomplishments when I am gone. My parents are so proud of me and I want them to see this as well. The website came to life when Jason and Janice came to visit us in our home in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Big thanks to my family and to all the people around the world who love me!