THE MAKING OF A SONG FOR FIENNESS MENDOZA

By Li Eron
Ontario-Canada
July 12, 201`6






Fienness was only 14 years old when our path had crossed. Since then, we've been collaborating in both our individual efforts; me in the community and Fienness on her music. It isn't just our age gap that causes a problem at times but also our own unique characteristics that often collide. Fienness is fairly quiet and reclusive in nature. Me the bold and the ugly tasked to mentor her journey. My maturity complimented her youthful rebellion.

Fienness had been singing cover songs since she became serious about her singing starting when she was eight. One day I thought what usefulness do I have on the life of this young girl who, without argument can really sing well? I am a writer and why would I not write a song for her? There were moments of serious considerations on what story I should put together in a song so that Fienness Mendoza can interpret it from her core.

My father was a music teacher. Some of my cousins can really sing well and music, like most Filipinos, is always the therapeutic substance at our family gatherings. I do believe that even if you can't sing, you still can embrace music. It also is a healing power. Music has been my silent friend that uplifts my spirit when I'm down. It is also something that I listen when I am deep in my writing projects. Fienness Mendoza's singing and passion for music added dimension to such sacred arena inhabited by many.


It was tough penning the lyrics when you have no clue how to even start. But I guess my experiences with such enormous talent as Fienness Mendoza who was launched last year on her first debut concert at Delta Hotel East and the launching of her debut album containing beautiful cover songs. Fienness has gone through her singing career in stages. There are no leaps and bounds for this young artist who since February 2016 had been singing Live On Air on a radio station in Toronto once a month.

Holding the Hand of a Dreamer will hopefully take Fienness Mendoza to the qualities of a rising young soul singer in the making with a song all her own. As for being a neophyte music composer. Holding the Hand of a Dreamer will not be the last for Fienness Mendoza. She has also ink her own song.