Raki Vega-Siu: Simple but Exceptional

I see her almost every meeting, slipping through our training center in International Marketing Group (IMG), Cebu. Oftentimes devoured in a crowd where business and financial literacy are the main obsessions, Raki Vega’s trance of serene simplicity stands out. For those who know her, recognize her gentle presence with a proud smile for having so-deserving of her valuable company. While those who do not, are obliged to gaze upon the beauty of this lass and wonder where this exceptional charm comes from.




Knowing Rochelle (her other name) always brings a smile to me. Deprived of the chance to watch TV, I never knew she was ABS-CBN’s “Born Diva” until we were formally introduced to each other by our colleagues and her teammates Rey and Ginalyn. Raki came in to our company thru our colleague, also my good friend, her husband Jon Fredrich Siu. Jon, the Chinese lad is one of our dynamic trainers and speakers, a highly intellectual engineer himself who have achievements of his own. His trademarks are his tiny eyes which are often buried in his smiles.

I saw Raki performed in Ng Khai’s anniversary in CICC in 2008 with my cousin Ma. Paz Maceren and former boss Carlos Agravante. She really is a professional performer, very entertaining, innately superb, you will never regret spending your precious time watching her. Raki Vega – singer, stage actress, model…has a lot of feathers in the cap she garnered here and abroad: One of Cebu’s Women Achievers, Most Outstanding Mandauehanon Awardee, Perlas Awards Most Outstanding Filipino, Grand Prize Winner of Cebu Pop Music Festival to mention a few.

Seeing her amongst us, she never had arrogance in any way. Despite her internationally acclaimed singing voice and feats, she does not allow her head to swell. Soft-spoken and docile as she is, she never intend to steal people’s attention. She acts like anyone in the crowd, can even sit quietly among the heterogeneous IMG students…sometimes squeezed and uncomfortable, yet you cannot hear any complain from her until the session ends. This young lady is truly a pride.

Just after voting in the recent national elections, I saw her latest video in Ma. Paz’ Facebook “We Will Rise Again”. The song is lovely. Its lyrics, harmony, Raki’s interpretation and the entire production blended perfectly well that it brought burst nationalistic sentiments and tears in me. From the start of the song, it already sounds especially interesting. Its message brings forth hope for a country as beautiful as the Philippines, to a people who have been distracted with several trials.

As I talked to Raki after that, she gives credit to those who contributed to the song especially to Jude Gitamondoc, the song composer. Her We Will Rise Again Music Video TV are credited to Ruel Antipuesto and Tess Villegas.
This masterpiece is something all Filipinos can be very proud of. It can be used as a national theme song. Very soul-touching, inspiring, uplifting...Kudos to Raki and her company!!!