469. MARICRIS BERMONT for No. 1 Selling Brand LA GERMANIA Gas Ranges, 1979

MARICRIS BERMONT for LA GERMANIA, 1979

An unheralded singer stole the show at the 1^st ever Metro Manila Popular Music Festival (METROPOP) in 1978 when she sang the soaring “Narito Ako", a composition of well-known composer, Nonong Pedero. MARICIRIS BERMONT, the lovely curly-haired Filipino-French mestiza sang her heart to a commendable 3^rd place finish, after “Pagdating Mo” (Celeste Legaspi), and “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika” (Hajji Alejandro).

Bermont, then 30, was largely unknown, singing in limited circles in events and muscals staged at Manila Metropolitan Theater, Her triumph signaled the start of a successful career in the mainstream Philippine music industry. After her stint at Metropop, she once again represented the contry at an international song festival in Puerto Rico, where she emerged as the Grand Prize winner.

AT THE 1ST METROPOP  FESTIVAL,with Nonong Pedero

She was sought after for television shows and was even recruited for the movies, appearing in at least 2: “Dyesebel” (1978), “Nognog” (1980).

In 1979, LA GERMANIA, leading maker of gas ranges, ovens and other appliances, tapped the young mother (she was married to Gerardo C. Garcia +) to appear in a series of print ads, with a TV version wher she sang the memorable “La Germania generates love..” jingle. Beauty queen Consuelo Escalambre had appeared in an earlier, similar version, singing and strumming a guitar.

The ad agency kept the same formula and soon, guitar-playing Bermont was heard all over the airwaves, and seen in many versions of LA GERMANIA print ads.

Eventually, the Bermonts became a born again Christian family in the early 1980s. Maricris Bermont shifted to singing songs of faith and inspiration and, to this day, continues to perform and make guest appearances in many Christian fellowship events, TV and radio shows. Regine Velasquez would turn her 1978 hit song "Narito Ako", into another retro-bestseller in 1990. The Bermonts are a part of the Word Community (Wordcomm)  of Makati; her son, is in fact, a pastor of that gospel-centered church.

MARICRIS BERMONT, today

SOURCES:

Youtube: Manila Met videos, Maricris Bermont sings “Narito Ako”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSOncLyk12g, uploaded by nomerson.