FRANCE - Four months since Aliènette Coldfire or Katchry Jewel Golbin in real life landed third in the 11th season of La France a Un Incroyable Talent (France Has Incredible Talent), the blind singer made a powerful comeback in Paris through a moving 2-hour performance onstage.

The concert, “Aliènette Live in Paris”, accompanied by Filipino-American pianist John Florencio with local guest performers The Pinoy Jam Paris artists drew rave reviews from the audience.

Hundreds of Filipinos in France and locals watched the concert as Aliènette moved the audience to tears.

“I understand now why whenever she sings, Helene Segara the female judge of Incroyable Talent… ends up crying. She sings with all her soul and full of sincerity. There’s something in her voice that’s magical!” exclaimed one of the organizers of the concert.

Alienette sang English, French and OPM songs accompanied on piano by the world-renowned pianist. She also interpreted with great sensitivity the French songs popularized by Edith Piaf and others. Piaf’s "La Vie En Rose" (Life in Rosy Hues) is the French song that made Aliènette interested in the French language. She learned the language online with friends in just three years.

The show’s organizers, mostly leaders of different Filipino associations in France, believe that bringing Aliènette back to Paris for a concert is like planting a good seed, reminding people how she captured the hearts of Filipinos in France to win in La France a Un Incroyable Talent (France Has Incredible Talent). The unprecedented number of votes for the Iloilo native singer landed her 3rd in the competition.

Marjorie Renner, one of the major sponsors of the concert, said: "As an artist, I would personally like to see her continue to build her singing career possibly as a song writer. But given her intelligence, I believe she would be also be a great advocate for various social causes in the Philippines.”

For John Florencio, playing for Aliènette was an unforgettable experience. “I have learned through short rehearsal process that I have to be overly sensitive and supportive to her breath and phrasing, and that I have to be very specific in bringing out certain elements in the piano (dynamics, tempo and key changes) since she doesn’t have a visual reference,” he said.

He added that despite Aliènette’s inability to see, she was very easy to work with and is a natural born musician.

“She has a way of treating the songs like we’ve never heard it before. It always sounds fresh. Aliènette has a very developed musical ear, very sensitive to harmony, melody and rhythm. At the same time her ability to lift the words off the page, making it live, is truly special. She’s an amazing artist,” Florencio added.

Aliènette has left a very special mark in John’s heart and he is looking forward to perform with her again and be part of Aliènette’s singing journey in the future.

Dressed elegantly with a blue-green floral-embroidered gown by Ronaldo Arnaldo, Aliènette felt good to be “home” and finally singing to the people whom she believes have brought her to where she is now. France has always been part of her dreams, a dream that she realized when she qualified for La France a Un Incroyable Talent. She loves France and everything that goes with it: the music, the language and the people.

“Aliènette Live in Paris” is part of the dream I am living in now,” says Katchry. “I’ve always said, music is my life and that I sing to live and I live to sing. I am so thankful to the people behind who made this concert possible. I am so happy that I was able to come back here in Paris, this time around to sing for my kababayans. I am so ovewhelmed for their unending support since Incroyable…”

For most people in Paris who were moved by Aliènette’s singing prowess they hope for her to get more recognition in the international scene, not just in France, and that her imminent success will inspire a lot of people with disabilities to follow their dream. It’s a strong message that needs to be heard.

Katchry was joined by her mother Estrella and both headed to Brussels, Belgium for a short performance at the Philippine Embassy in Belgium three days after her concert in Paris and a day before they fly back to Manila. - with a report from Mary Ann Rivera