Biography
The film Satisfaction starring Justine Bateman sparked the idea for Cooky Chua to launch a musical group. Still attending high school, Chua established Color It Red in 1989 alongside Barbi Cristi on rhythm guitar and Maricar Florendo on keyboards, selecting the name based on a clue from a crossword puzzle. The lineup expanded with Mike Villegas handling lead guitar, Hank Palenzuela on bass, and Edison Javellano on drums. Emerging from Club Dredd, the storied venue nurturing Filipino underground talent during the early 1990s, Color It Red stood out among promising alternative pop/rock acts in the Philippines. Their first album, Hand Painted Sky, appeared in 1994 and achieved platinum status. Recognition followed in 1995 when the Awit Awards honored them as Best New Artist within the Philippines. Chua portrayed Lidy, the spouse of a Pinoy activist, during the 1997 production of Lean, A Filipino Musical. She earned the Golden Voice of Asia accolade in Hanoi, Vietnam, the subsequent year. Chua captivated the panel by delivering a pair of Color It Red songs rather than renditions of Whitney Houston or Celine Dion material, showcasing her rich, soulful voice. Despite achieving broad commercial appeal, Color It Red preserved Chua's standing in alternative circles. Pop Fiction came out in 2000.
Singles