“Nurse Rapper” Fatima Palma Loo used to entertain patients by rapping for them. The practice was not exactly legal, but the viral video of her performing for a sick dad showed how music can help in healing.
She’s now a full-time musician, but Fatima said that she would always cherish the experience. “I sang to a stroke patient who was in his 60s not knowing it was his birthday. His wife came up to me, saying his husband smiled again after a long time, and it was the best gift anyone could ever give him.”
Fatima, who sings in English, Filipino and French, regularly joins in the annual Fête de la Musique, co-organized by Alliance Française de Manille and B-Side Productions.
The free music festival is celebrating its 25th year in the Philippines, with performances on June 21-29 at the Main Stages in Manila, Makati, Baguio, Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna, Pampanga, Palawan.
Pocket venues will be in Makati, with a post-event gig in Intramuros (download Fête PH app for schedule).
The Fête highlight will be the Globe multigenre show on June 21 at A.Venue directed by Francis de Veyra, featuring Bituin Escalante, Aia de Leon, Vic Facultad, Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, Tarsius, Kat Agarrado, Jensen Gomez, Bea Lorenzo, Zsaris and Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas.
‘Music Heals’
To reach children, Fatima and singer Quest recently headlined the “Music Heals” popup gig at Virlanie Foundation. The organization founded by French social worker Dominique Lemay supports marginalized communities.
Fatima delighted kids with her songs “Ara Po,” “Sinta” and “Minero,” recognizing that “music is a universal tool of communication that allows us to send messages of love and care.” It was a fun afternoon of rap and acoustic jams.
She also reminded everyone that music could “motivate a person to feel and do better,” and it did help during her recent battle with depression.
“Losing my father to cancer felt like losing part of my life; he was my inspiration since day one,” she shared. “I prayed, surrounded myself with good friends and positive people, and performed music for the less fortunate.”
Fatima added that making music lets her give happiness to those who listen. “So if music can make you feel good in a few minutes, just imagine what it’s like being in a place with musicians celebrating for hours.”
So take your loved ones to the Fête parties, there will be mini concerts for all kinds of musical tastes: Alternative Stage, Bedroom Beats Stage, Busking Stage, Femme Fatale Stage, Open Format Stage, Rooftronic Stage, Limbo Stage, Ukulele Stage, even a Zodiac Stage.
As French Ambassador Nicolas Galey said during the launch at Alliance, “Music isn’t only for professionals, or for people who can pay.” He also introduced the #FeteStories contest that lets one win two round-trip tickets to France by sharing a 25-second video focused on the best Fête de la Musique experience.
Who knows, maybe your video can launch a career while helping people, like that of Nurse Fatima’s.
Download the FetePH app; visit www.facebook.com/FetePH.
