Early life

Amapola was born in Cebu City Philippines, to composer, bandleader, showman Manny, aka Mahnee Kabajar Cabase. and University of San Carlos English teacher Priscilla “Sheila” Campogan.

Amapola's first piano recital was at the age of 4 at the Battig Piano Conservatory. Under her parents' tutelage, Amapola as a child actress made films and commercials from age 5 onwards in her country the Philippines. Under her father's musical direction, Amapola began her career at age five in Azucena Pictures Productions “Inahan” (“Mother”) dubbing for child star Lisa Mari. Amapola also co-starred with Lisa Mari in her first film “Utlanan” (Boundary) at the age of 7.

During her Elementary school years at the Cebu Normal University (then Cebu Normal School), Amapola conducted Coronada Pingol’s Interscholastic “Toy Orchestra” for six years under the care and tutelage of Mrs. Pingol and Amapola's 2nd Grade teacher and mentor Miss Alvarez. Soon other schools in Cebu City organized their respective toy orchestras borrowing Amapola to conduct them. At the height of the Toy Orchestra craze in the city, Amapola was awarded the key to Cebu City by then Governor Manuel Cuenco of the Cuenco Family of Cebu. She was the youngest ever to receive the honor.

At age 10 Amapola was invited to debut in Manila at the Grand Opera House appearing with several veteran actors and performers that included Leroy Salvador, Susan de la Victoria and the LoWaist Gang. While commuting the Manila and Cebu City entertainment circuit, Amapola won the title Queen of Rock n' Roll in the Cebu City's radio station DYRC. That same year, she was under contract with Darigold Milk to endorse the product as the "Darigold Girl" (see photo) touring Visayas and Mindanao with a full cast of singers and musicians. Later, her first television project before turning 18 was her self-produced TV show "Amapola Sings" in Cebu City's Channel 2 ABS-cbn TV, co-produced and co-directed by schoolmate Marilyn Bajarias in 1960.


 Music career
CEBU and MANILA Before Amapola turned 18, she was dubbed the Jukebox Queen of the Philippines because most jukeboxes were filled with her singles in tandem with Victor Wood as Jukebox King - they were soon paired in two films.

While appearing at the San Miguel Corporation Inaugural Special with a national all-star cast which included Pilita Corrales among the roster of celebrity guests, the latter along with musical director Emil Mijares invited Amapola and her band to guest in the popular "An Evening With Pilita" at the ABS-BN TV in Manila. This event led to a guest appearance at the Manila Hilton produced by the late Rafael "Fae" Corrales who became Amapola and her band's official manager. The group followed the Manila Hilton appearance with a two year contract at the Intercontinental Hotel in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines, appearing nightly at the Les Boulevardier and El Castellano supper club. During Amapola's tenure as the hotel's resident chanteuse, she opened concert shows for Jack Jones at the Araneta Coliseum; Astrud Gilberto at the Nile; Matt Monro at the Cebu Coliseum; Dick Velasco at the Cultural Center of the Philippines(also appeared as part of a vocal group "Minor Changes" that included Bess Silva and Alice Bell on vocals); opened for The Young Americans co-starring with vocal group "Gentle Rain" which included GaryV, Renato & Nonong Pedero; Opening feature for Sergio Mendes Brazil 66 at the Intercontinental Hotel Ballroom, Makati, Metro Manila.

USA

Appeared with Don Ho and Danny Kaleikini in the Maui Festival for Charity in 1972, Resident singer for Kahala Hilton, Honolulu Hawaii in 1972, Mabuhay Gardens headliner 1972-1976, Appeared with Bobby Enriquez and Earl Hinesaka Earl Fatha Hines at the Miyako Hotel in 1975, Appeared with Patti LaBelle and Anita O’Day at the Mocambo, Polk Street, San Francisco, Resident Chanteuse at the Fairmont Hotel, San Francisco from 1976 to 1982, International Road Tour from 1982 to 1987 produced by Spun Gold Productions in the USA and Nanette Edillon in the Philippines,

Amapola Headlined onboard all Royal Viking Line Ships:
Royal Viking Sky
Royal Viking Sea
Royal Viking Sun
Royal Viking Queen
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Voyager
Song of Flower



Cruise Lines based in Germany
MV Gripsholm formerly Sagafjord
Hapag Lloyd MS Hanseatic


Headlined onboard the Voyager for its 2006 World Cruise and was featured with Emmy Winning Robert Shields of the famous Shields and Yarnell.

Amapola's international reach prompted Mrs. Imelda Marcos to call Amapola the unofficial "Ambassador of Music" when Amapola played piano for the former First Lady at the Carlyle Hotel in New York.


 Discography
SINGLES


1950 - Mother
1951 - Guihigugma Ko Ikaw
1960 - Cebuano Adaptations
1966 - Sa Dulo Ng Ating Landas
1968 - It's Great To Be Young
1970 - Kapantay Ay Langit
1970 - Daluyong
1971 - Cherry Blossoms
1971 - Never
1971 - Secret Love
1972 - One Love
1972 - I'll Walk Alone
1972 - Loss of Love
1972 - You Don't Know Me
1972 - Hideaway
1972 - Sinner or Saint
1973 - Ah-Choo!
1973 - Starlight, Starbright
1973 - Speak Softly Love
1973 - Without You
1979 - Matud Nila

ALBUMS


1971 - SONGS AND AMAPOLA
1979 - CEBUANO COMPILATION
1981 - LIVE AT THE MANILA HOTEL
1982 - HALAD SA AMAHAN
1987 - SOPHISTICATED LADY
1994 - TIMELESS
2004 - TRAVELING GAL
2005 - BY CHOICE
2006 - MERRY CHRISTMAS DARLING
2007 - A LOVE WITHOUT A NAME

 Television, radio and film appearances
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CEBU CITY, CEBU

Children's Hour Morning Show as Little Amapola - Guest Appearance at Age 3 broadcasting live from DYRC radio station ;listed in List of television and radio stations in Cebu City
Christmas Cebu Broadcasting Company DYRC Radio Special Special - Cebu Normal University, formerly Cebu Normal School Military Band Toy Orchestra of 100 Children conducted by Amapola
DYRC Noon Show appearances with veterans Stacs Huguete, Josie Lauron, Josephine Ferrer, and others
DYRC Sundowners Show appearances and other DYRC Specials
Manny Cabase Show - ABS-CBN TV Cebu as regular feature appearing with the The Vikings
Amapola Sings - TV weekly, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation Cebu, produced, starred and co-directed with Marilyn Bajarias
San Miguel Brewery of San Miguel Corporation Inauguration - Mandaue City with an All-National Star Cast

MANILA RADIO, TELEVISION & FILM APPEARANCES

Student Canteen Guest hosted by Leila Benitez and Eddie Elarde
Stop Look Listen (1971) Wednesday Weekly on ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation, Manila
An Evening With Pilita Corrales (1971) as Amapola and the Sounds, Special Guests
The Sensations (TV Comedy Sitcom) (1972) as Amapola with Vilma Santosand Edgar Mortiz
Etchos Lang Co-Host - Justo C. Justo's weekly TV show
Eat Bulaga frequent guest appearances until 1994
Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation's Joe Quirino Seeing Stars - frequent guest appearances included co-hosting
Helen Gamboa wife of Vicente "Tito" C. Sotto IIIguested Amapola in her debut TV Musical directed by Fritz Ynfante
Comedy Skits with Luis Gonzales, Nida Blanca, Caridad Sanchez, etc. ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation
Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez Special Guest, with a Martin Nievera duet feature
Rico J. Puno Show Special Guest, with a Rico J. duet feature
Superstar Nora Aunor several Guest appearances
Plaza Miranda as Amapola, Cameo Appearance, produced by Gloria Sevilla
Mr. Lonely[1] TIIP Productions, starred with Victor Wood
You Are My Destiny”[2] TIIP Productions, starred with Victor Wood
 

INTL TELEVISION APPEARANCES

Singapore Broadcasting Station TV Guest Appearance Christmas Special 1981 with The Platters
Channel 7 KGO-TV San Francisco Interview from the Mabuhay Gardens coverage
Weekly Filipina Fiesta – at Leon Crosby's Channel 20 KEMO TV erstwhile KBWB San Francisco, California
Faustino Respicio, Producer and host of the long-running "Filipino Fiesta" television program
Appeared with Don Robbs KPOI DJ and KHVH NewsAnchor Talk Show Host, as a full week's co-host
Amapola Presents Show (TV Weekly) (1976-1982) as host and star

 External links

Tribute to Amapola's parents
Amapola's Official Website
Amapola's Novel: Promising Skies
Amapola's Music Compilation
Mahnee Cabase Compositions listed here
Songs and Amapola Publishers