Hardest hit

It’s a different feeling, says high-strung singer Jed Madela, “when one performs in a virtual concert.’’

You sing your heart out, but there’s one important element that’s missing. It’s the bond between singer and audience that creates instant rapport.

Jed makes no bones about it. “I miss the palakpakan.’’

The veteran singer may well be referring to the spontaneous, ecstatic outpouring of emotion, approval, of the joy that a song can bring to one’s audience.

Jed is just one of many singers who are trying to reach out to their followers, and make ends meet, in this time of pandemic.

Singers and other performers are among the hardest hit by lockdown slapped against bars and similar entertainment outlets.

These enclosed places are presumed among the most vulnerable to the spread of COVID-19. They gather crowds that are simply not allowed these days.

So, how are our singers coping in the time of pandemic? Unlike actors who can continue to work under locked-in shoots, singers don’t have the same privilege.

Rachel Alejandro says she misses performing immensely. She has been using this downtime to travel with her New York-based husband, Carlos.

She also reverted to recording and making new music, such as her latest offering, “Takipsilim.”

Celeste Legaspi has been homebased for a whole year.

She has been cooking, gardening, dressing up her plants with her now seldom used costume jewelry.

Celeste recently posted on Facebook her own new version (more laid back, truly heartfelt) of that Willy Cruz classic, “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.

She also recently launched her own You Tube channel.