His groovy voice was soaring in the air and the people were all in a cheery mood. Such was the sight when I arrived at the ICM parking lot where the Sandugroove 2 Concert was staged last July 21. I wrinkled my forehead as I drove nearer. Where could I possibly park picanto as a throng of people buzzed around and all sorts of vehicles were parked everywhere, even in the streets? Right after I found my space, we were walking and leaping towards the concert area almost waving the VIP tickets given to us by Dennis Du of Dunkin Donuts. Rushing towards the stage, we stared at the lean RnB singer who was swaying with the music while waving at his paisano fans. We took our seats up front and soon found ourselves beaming. We held on to our seats, held our breath and tried hard not to shriek. Yes, shriek like many die-hard fans would. Oh, well.

Who would not? It's Luke who's singing.

Michael Luke Mejares, Michael to his family and friends, is such a sensational talent. For years, he has been a household name while singing with the famous band South Border. Now on his own, Luke has become a glistening star amidst the Milky Way of artists and entertainers in the Philippines.

But the RnB sensation revealed that he never really dreamed of becoming a professional singer. He used to think that he was not good enough to be one. Nevertheless, he excelled in his singing among the school campuses in Tagbilaran and soon stood up to his name as Bohol's Gary V in the late 90s.

But Luke is not just a soulful singer. He was that young jack of many trades. He was a student writer, a competitive table tennis player, an energetic dancer, and alsoa dynamic student leader. Such a talent that he was, he would mimic his namesake Michael Jackson and his superstar idol Gary Valenciano on stage during school programs at the University of Bohol where he spent his grade school and high school days. He shared that it was Mr. Peter Dejaresco who gave him the Bohol's Gary V moniker when the latter invited him to sing during the Joey Albert concert in Bohol many years ago.

That experience pointed towards his journey to where he is now. But for awhile, he had to put his singing career on hold as he prioritized his education and graduated a marketing course at the University San Jose-Recolletos in Cebu City before finally zooming forward in his singing career. Indeed, he did not only zoom towards a career, he zoomed towards stardom. Though the journey was not a smooth paved road, he did find his way with his family and loved ones trudging beside him.

Yes, the young jack of many trades found his calling and Bohol's Gary V has made a name for himself. And now, people shriek. People hold their breath. People cheer. When Luke is singing.