Kitchie Nadal: ‘I’m more involved now’
"Mas extrovert na ako ngayon (I'm more of an extrovert nowadays)," confides Kitchie Nadal. "Unlike before that I was really introverted. I guess it's a done season for me. I don't want to think about what's happening inside me anymore."
Curious statements coming from the woman behind the deeply introspective hit songs "Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin" and "Same Ground."
"Kasi the first two albums (the self-titled debut and 'Drama Queen')...masyadong introspective," admits Kitchie. "That's why I don't like sad or emotional songs. There's no conscious effort to even write that way anymore. Then the third album mas naging radical ako spiritually, and then with these new songs I guess I'm more involved, aware of what's happening."
Her trips abroad, be they Christian mission-related or simply for musical collaborations with international artists, have definitely made an impact on the singer-songwriter. "Traveling has done that to me... I'm more involved now."
For the past two years, Kitchie has also been helping out with the Christian-based community Little Hands, which conducts Bible study sessions with Makati street children. "Karamihan sa kanila walang bahay, walang parents, walang foundation," laments Kitchie.
The ministry started with the artist's Bible studies with her friends, conducted at her brother's diner in Makati. "And then dumating sila (the street kids arrived). Tapos parang nanggugulo (They seemed to bother us). [Initially] we were like Pharisees telling them to leave, a classic picture of religious people who didn't care about people."
But caring eventually found its way to the group, and since then they have once-a-week Bible studies, fellowship, and dinner sessions with the children followed. "Hindi mo naman pwede kaawaan lang, kasi ano magagawa nun? (You can't just take pity on them, because what good will that do?)" Some of the talented ones actually get to play with Kitchie in her gigs, whether beatboxing or rapping along to her songs.
Little Hands also helps the kids in the form of food or medicine. This is why the group is raising funds. Kitchie holds occasional benefit shows for the group.
With all this work she's doing, when will she come out with a new album?
"The first two albums, as I said, were conceptual and very personal. But this time I have this awareness of what's happening around. Plus iba na rin ang musical trend ngayon (the musical trend is different now). I plan to just constantly release singles, digital releases. Of course we'll have to come up with an album soon. I just can't say when. One step at a time."
