The Singing Diplomat
There was a visually-challenged singer (Norma Lapuz, remember?), a physically-challenged singer (Fred Panopio, remember?), a singing doctor (Nonoy Zuñiga), a singing lawyer (Dot Ramos), a singing sugar magnate (Jose Mari Chan) and a singing nurse (Kuh Ledesma). And then there’s a Singing Diplomat, none other than Deputy Ambassador Raoul Imbach
(photo), head of Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland.
Imbach is holding a free concert tomorrow, Jan. 7, at the Rizal Park where he will showcase the talent that has earned him the title Singing Diplomat.
In April last year, his group Raoul and the Wild Tortillas launched the album Tribute to
the Philippines which sums up his deep affection for the country which has been his second home for more than three years. Imbach is able to compose and mix English/Tagalog songs such as It’s More Fun in the Philippines, one of the cuts on the album.
The launch of the album was also the occasion to present the project which has so far already made four donations from the proceeds of the album’s sales to a charity organization, the Car- melite Sisters. Three other charities have received the proceeds from the sale of the first 100 copies of the album which were already pre-sold in Vietnam where Imbach is still known for his compositions.
The Singing Diplomat is just one of the many “titles” given to Imbach who is also often referred as a “Renaissance Man” by the media.
Born in the Swiss Alps, Imbach has been on his skis throughout his youth. In 1975, he was selected for the Swiss Junior National Alpin Ski team and raced such famous ski competitions as the Lauberhorn downhill race.
Even after so many years, he hasn’t lost his touch and during his last posting in Korea he claimed the podium for five years in a row at the International Ski Festival in Korea on the slopes of the next 2018 winter Olympics.
During his stay in Bolivia from 1996 to 2002, Imbach realized an old dream when he opened his restaurant as chef and co-owner in La Paz, which he closed when he was transferred to Vietnam in 2002. Latin dances and rhythms are a legacy that Imbach took from his stays in Costa Rica and Bolivia where he participated with his dance group of Caporales San Miguel in four carnivals as Caporal dancer.
Prior to Bolivia, he had learned many Latin dances in Costa Rica and became an expert and teacher of Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and other modern Latin dances. He has been teaching Latin dances for the last 10 years in Vietnam, Korea and the Philippines.
He performed during the last three years with talented Filipino musicians under the name Raoul & the Wild Tortillas and composed songs for the Philippines such as Binibini, Hello Eto Ako and It’s more Fun in the Philippines. After performing with Freddie Aguilar, he decided to make a rendition of his hit Anak in French.