Kristoffer, the voice behind Paulit-Ulit
Kristoffer Martin is the voice behind the pop theme song, titled Paulit-Ulit, of the Korean drama, Fight For My Way. (The show airs weeknights on the GMA Telebabad timeslot.) Listening to the tune over and over, like paulit-ulit lang, the voice grows on you. Kristoffer has the chops to carry a tune and tell a story straight from the heart. If that indicates anything, it will be a promising recording career for the Kapuso actor.
“This is my second single for GMA (Records). The first was Sa Piling Mo (the official soundtrack of Alyas Robin Hood),” said Kristoffer in a recent media call. “The song is about falling in love over and over again with the same person, of course. It brings back high school memories. Puppy or young love is its main vibe (or theme).” It is safe to say that Kristoffer has given singing — and recording — another try.
Asked if recording a self-titled album is in the offing, Kristoffer had this to say: “There are no talks yet, but hopefully, I will have one soon. This time, I’ll focus on promoting the single and releasing another single. Ito pa lang ang mga napag-usapan.”
Yes, Virginia, Kristoffer is taking things one day at a time. But he is open to possibilities Lady Luck may throw his way.
“Gusto ko rin kasing ikutin lahat (I just want to try everything),” he said. “I was singing in high school and since I’m also into writing songs, I grabbed the opportunity that GMA Records and GMA Artist Center presented to me — that is, to sing a song. I’m thankful but I am not going to abandon acting.
Sobrang minahal ko yung acting. But I will try everything hanggang bata pa at kaya pa.” Prior to his decision to plunge into acting, Kristoffer tried his luck at showbiz by joining the reality-talent show Little Big Superstar.
Although he has already taken his baby steps in recording, Kristoffer remains loyal to acting. Recently, he participated in an Anthony Vincent Bova acting workshop. “He is a protégé of Eric Morris (the man behind No Acting Please approach),” he shared. “Method is about being… ang hirap na
masarap na malaro (My experience in the acting workshop was both challenging and enriching).”
Part of the learning process was an exercise inspired by Split, the movie about a man with “multiple” personalities. The student chooses three personalities. When the teacher snaps his fingers, the learner is expected to shift from one persona to another. Aside from that, Kristoffer performed scenes to sharpen his acting skills. By the way, Anthony Vincent is an acting coach based in New York. “What’s good about Bova, kaya niyang mag-blueprint ng tao (he can make an acting blueprint for an individual),” he said. “Kung anong kailangan mong exercise, yun ang gagawin. So, in the course of workshop, no acting exercises are the same... He wants you to break your wall as an actor. So far, most actors have received the comment that ‘You are too restricted.’ He helps you to break that wall. You need to trust him and the exercises.” Armed with new insights into natural or truth acting through breaking the actor’s barriers, Kristoffer is ready to take on his next acting projects.
As for music genres he wants to explore in future musical endeavors, Kristoffer said, “Gusto ko
muna safe… This is the first song that I have been introduced as a singer… If I will be given the chance to choose a genre, it’s the one with the Zayn (Malik) beat. It’s more on trap (music) but OPM (Original Pilipino Music).” He added that, “I’m not a rock singer.”
Having a knack for writing lyrics, Kristoffer looks forward to do collaborations with Miko of TOP (To The Top) and Mikoy Morales. He wants to compose original works. “I like the album of Zayn and (the work of) The Weeknd,” Kristoffer said of the concept behind his potential debut album, “gagawin ko (itong) OPM if ever, foreign yung tunog pero OPM.” The themes, on the other hand, will revolve around love. So, many can relate to. His romantic experiences as well as friends’ tales are Kristoffer’s rich sources of inspiration in waxing tracks. A Girl is the first song he has written and was dedicated to Joyce Ching during the latter’s 18th birthday. Meantime, let’s give Kristoffer and
Paulit-Ulit a listen — and the actorturned-singer and his song won’t disappoint.
(Kristoffer’s latest single Paulit-Ulit can be downloaded and streamed on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon and other leading digital stores worldwide.)