Known for her kontrabida roles in national TV, we never really got to know more about Glaiza’s other side. Her love for music will definitely make you love her more because this woman has a serious passion for her first love.
Sitting in a makeup chair getting her look done for the day’s shoot, Glaiza waved at me with a hello and a smile as bright as the afternoon sunshine. She was the first-ever celebrity that I’ve interviewed and she definitely made it memorable. What I loved the most about this short but fun interview was her love for music.
Yes. After talking about her career as an actress, I got to pry about her love for music. Once I started asking questions, her face immediately lit up and her eyes twinkled with so much passion and joy (I swear, this is the first time that I ever saw a person glow while talking about a certain topic). She had this excited voice and eager smile.
Glaiza’s love for music started in church and it made a big impact to her as a musician: “Nagsimula kasi ako sa church, so lumaki ako na kumakanta ng gospel, ng mga hymnals. Siguro nahasa din ako sa pagkanta don dahil every week meron kaming special number. I think malaking influence yun sakin yung gospel music, yung Christian music.”
When asked how her taste of music has evolved, her fun answer was as follows: “Eventually, nung nag explore ako, syempre andyan yung mga boybands, yung mga Backstreet Boys, sila Britney Spears. Tapos nung nag high school ako, Linkin Park na eh. Nag iiba- iba sya kada generation or phase sa buhay ko. Tapos from Linkin Park, nag 90s music ako, yung grunge, yung mga Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice and Chains, naghalo halo siya eh.
I was into post-punk also. I started joining a band when I was sixteen years old so I think yung influence nung mga kabanda ko ay naging malaking impact sakin as a musician today. Nagtagal ako dun sa post punk dahil naging inspiration ko siya sa pag gawa ng music and when it comes to writing, isa si Harriet Willer sa mga gusto ko, tsaka sila Cat Power, yung mga babaeng mahuhusay.”
Obviously, this woman knows her passion; but do you know what makes Glaiza more relatable? She doesn’t box herself into one genre when it comes to music. She is open to other types of music and artists. Did you know that she is actually a fan of the Kpop group Bang Bang? She unexpectedly became a fan of the group when she heard it during her home network’s Sunday variety show when she got curious about the Kpop genre because of its unique fusion.
“Siguro parang na appreciate ko yung Kpop non kase they have the fusion of the west and yung sarili nilang culture, they made it their own. Tapos parang nainspire ako na, uy kaya pala yon. Ang galling pala na hindi lang pala on the surface yung Kpop na puro visuals and all. Pwede palang ma-appreciate yung music nila and how they make their own sound.”
Going to the topic of her band, she shares that it started last 2015. After writing some songs, though, she was hesitant to release them. Eventually, she asked a few people to listen to them and that’s how her band began. “Masaya yung naging journey non. Nakapag perform kami, nahasa din ako as a musician non, na challenge din ako na anong genra pa yung pwede kong puntahan. Apparently, nung time na yun gusto ko ng electronic music, electro rock ganun, trip hop, so iba iba talagang phase”.
When asked what her music career goal is, her answer is simple and straightforward: “Gusto kong i-explore yung mga songs na nagawa ko nung una akong nagsisimula. Ito yung goal ko ngayon – na mag focus ako kung saan ako nagsimula, kung pano ko tatapusin. Very basic yun eh. Nung time na I was rehearsing with my current sessionist now, sabi nya uy gawin natin yan, tas ako parang di ko alam kung pano ko sya sisimulan pero it’s always in the back of my mind na eventually gusto ko siyang irecord, gusto ko siyang trabahuhin. Gusto kong maka meet ng mga tao na makaka collaborate ko with the same intention and enthusiasm and interest sa songs nagawa ko. Ang dami kasi nun eh. Kumbaga halukayin ko lang siya tas bibihisan lang ko ng bago. Gusto ko na this time, sakin talaga manggaling, sa sarili kong ideas, yung pinaka foundation nandon.”
Glaiza definitely has a passion for music. In fact, if she ever had to choose between music or acting, without batting an eye, she said that it would always have to be her music. “Everytime na tine-trace back ko talaga eh. Ano ba talaga yung gusto kong gawin. Ano yung desire ko. Ano yung passion ko. Saan ako naeexcite. So everytime it’s music, dahil ang laki ng naging ng role nya sakin especially when I was growing up. Hindi kasi ako yung ma social na tao, so mas gusto ko na mag isa lang ako ganun, hindi ako pala labas. Kung lumalabas man ako either may gig or na iinvite ako to my friend’s parties, pero I think kaibigan ko yung music for a long time.”
Our last conversation about her decision of choosing music over her acting career when the time comes: “Sa akin, end game yun eh. Para sakin kaya ako nagtatrabaho din sa industry na to, ‘cause eventually I want to study. I want to study music more. I want to explore it more and gusto ko na yun yung maging medium ko talaga eh in terms of what I want to say to my followers or to the people that appreciates me.”
Honestly speaking, talking to her about this topic was one of the most fun conversations I had last year. She is a very passionate person and you can definitely see it in her face and aura. She is not just your ordinary actress on television; she is a woman of substance, passion, and love.
It is amazing how Glaiza can juggle her passion with work, especially now that sh- will be top billing a new show in GMA called Contesa, which will air on an afternoon primetime slot. We can’t wait to see and hear more of Glaiza this 2018 because we’re sure that it will be her year.
Photos by Eunick Nobe and Jeanne Dizon
Make-up by Sam Tungul using Yves Rocher | Hair by Paolo Castillon
Styled by Sky Gavin with Ever New, Promod, Parfois and Etam
Shot at Picasso Boutique Hotel Makati
Special Thanks to Vogue Concepts Inc.
