ACOUSTIC SENSATIONS

(My one-on-one interview with our OPM Local Acousic Sensations)

FEATURING: PRINCESS, JURIS AND AIZA SEGUERRA

Acoustic sensations raise to the power of three! It's the triumvirate of feminine acoustic prowess rocking up worlds of ours here in OPM Music Authority as well as perhaps yours.

Handfuls of them harboured and conquered our shores aboard their musical frigates, and they are triumphant nevertheless.

Conquered or whatsoever is a pleasure to welcome them into. Virtually crowned like kings during their presence on our regular pictorial and interview sessions for Pinoy Song Magazine, we’re on guard and in great esteem meeting the princess of the acoustic kingdom, respectively: Pricess – a fair skinned marketing manager turned acoustic diva, Juris – a psychologist by professional choice, MYMP duet and now humming in her own universe with her guitar strings, Aiza Seguerra – a child superstar now a superb acoustic heroine.

Furthermore, these gals are part and parcel of ASAP’s Sessionistas who are always hired to play on the records because of their dexterity and edge on whatever singing craft hey have – and so to live by the term, these comely individuals did.

As the ball gets rolling it’s getting hotter while the suspended air-conditioning of the studio gets even with us. But who would dare bother while the guest are still alighting the torch of making the day with them.

There are four of them who have been grilled into the inquisition, Aries Sales from Davao, another acoustic heartthrob as well – promising!

Two of the four fall into my hands – Aries and Aiza Seguerra. It’s been a small world. It was way back in the nineties when I used to wonder at Aiza’s fame and fortune. How did she ever conquer all our picture tubes those days? Sneaking at our neighbor’s window blinds she seems to me an Alice in a far distant wonderland – wishing I could meet her one day – skin to skin – and that dreaming faded like smoke blown away by the wind.

But puff! in one fell swoop I have her under the arrest of my record strips. Now she’s talking, laughing, and getting lauder with every question I dock into her senses – with me. After all, wonderland is not so far way!

With regards the other two – Juris and Princess, they’ve got their own business with the other interviewer with me – Francee Fernadez.

ON THE RECORD

On the comfort of their couch we’ve forged questions hot by starting on the big things these lovely acoustic tandems have been doing lately.

“Nothing big. Usually gigs lang. Siguro the last big thing that we did was the station ID for ABS-CBN medyo malaki 'yung responsibility ko pero all the rest happy, happy, joy, joy gigs” Aiza commenced. Juris made her thing firm, “malaking bagay sa akin na right now, I'm on my solo career. I just started January. So malaking bagay iyon, I never thought that it would lead to a solo career. So far okay naman siya. Masaya naman. Nage-enjoy na rin ako. During recording pa lang, iyong process na-enjoy ko naman siya at the same time, marami rin akong natutunan. I've worked with other artists din.”

For Princess, being in the ASAP’s Sessionistas made a big shot into her at the moment, “Well for me ang pinaka-big na nangyari sa akin ngayon ay napasama ako sa Sessionistas kasi dati pa-guest guest lang ako sa ASAP. Actually 'yung mga pag-guest ko dati sobrang tuwang-tuwa na ako as in 'di ako makatulog sa gabi bago mag-Sunday tapos n'ung sinabi nang magiging regular na ako sa ASAP at sa Sessionistas ako isasama, sobrang tuwang-tuwa tuwa ako. So probably that's the biggest thing that happened to me early this year, that was around March and then my sophomore album Addicted to Acoustic 2 n'ung February . I'm currently promoting my album up to now and my new single is coming out anytime soon.”

Aiza credits her longevity in the industry (a not short 20 years) to the individuals behind her, “people definitely despite of everything nand'un pa rin sila. Happy ako kasi natanggap nila ako for who I am and na-appreciate nila 'yung ginagawa ko for them. Na-appreciate nila 'yung growth ko as an artist kasi may ibang hindi nila matanggap e but I'm very very thankful na 'yung mga fans ko sila mismo kumbaga we grow together. Iyon 'yung pinaka na-appreciate ko sa lahat.”

Juris also made a point of thanking her Divine Creator, individuals as well as supporters who are lifting her up to the limelight, perhaps, like anybody else there ahead of her, “I started 2001 from that time hanggang ngayon kumakanta ako. Well for me, I think I've been very blessed with a lot of supporters na especially now na nagsimula ako ng pagso-solo. Nagpapasalamat ako na iyong mga sumusuporta sa amin dati hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin na sumusuporta sa akin. Thank God, I'm blessed with these people, s'yempre my family and friends at lahat ng nandito hanggang ngayon.”

The Albums

Each of these acoustic sensations has their own pick and cup of singles which they would hum at best if not the most. Like Juris giving her best one, “I guess 'yung second single ko. Actually iyong buong album proud na proud ako kasi 'di ko akalain na mabibigyan ako ng mga kanta ng mga magagaling na composers. “Di Lang Ikaw” iyong second single ko. Diyan very, very proud ako. Natutuwa ako kapag may mga nagse-send sa akin ng mga messages na gustong-gusto nila. Ginawa namin ni Aiza (Seguerra) 'yun. Ako sa lyrics, si Aiza sa music.

Princess on the other hand regarded her “Bad Romance” 'coz I really really like that song. Iyon ang first single ko sa bagong album. Actually 'yung nag-produce n'ung song na iyon ay si Mr. Sonny Ilacad and n'ung time na lumabas 'yung song ni Lady Gaga na “Bad Romance” that was the time when I was recording my album tapos sabi n'ya sa akin 'Oh Cess, let's record this song “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga.' So ako parang ayaw ko kasi I was intimidated kasi Lady Gaga 'yan eh, ibang-iba 'yung tunog there wasn't any song like it playing on the radio during that time tapos sabi ko kay tito parang ayaw ko 'yung “Bad Romance” pero s'yempre ako naman kasi lahat ng sinasabi ni tito Sonny kahit medyo hindi ako agree sa umpisa, tested ko na 'yan e na kahit parang ayaw ko 'pag sinabi n'yang maganda 'yan maganda and true enough n'ung nirecord namin sa studio, nag-demo recording kami ng “Bad Romance” okay ang kinalabasan. Actually, n'ung nirecord namin siya that they itself humingi agad ako ng kopya tapos paulit-ulit ko siyang pinapakinggan. Sabi ko 'tito Sonny, feeling ko ito 'yung magiging first single n'ung album kasi ibang-iba talaga parang naging iba 'yung tunog ng song.

While Aiza treasured her first crafty on “Tanging Ikaw”, “I've had ten studio albums including two live albums. Pinaka-proud ako would be 'yung "Tanging Ikaw" kasi first song na nagawa ko 'yung lyrics and music.”

Can you say that this album is the most personal album that you've ever made? Do you find that you're a lot more self reflective at this time in your life?

JURIS: Definitely, kasi parang a huge part of the album nagawa na pangalan ko na lang kasi y'ung nakalagay doon. I was being encouraged ng mga producers na naka-trabaho ko, si Jonathan Manalo din. May ibang kanta kasi na iprinoduce kasi n'ung gumawa e at 'yung iba inaasikaso ni Jonathan. So during our recording talagang tinatanong din n'ya ako, natututo rin ako at the same time p'wede ko rin sabihin kung ano ang palagay ko parang wala akong alam masyado technically pero may input ako. So malaking parte natuto ako with music.

PRINCESS: As of date, yes but in terms of being personal and self-reflective ako 'coz I haven't really recorded any of my songs na talagang sinulat ko. As all of you know, talagang sa covers ako talagang sumikat. Honestly, in terms of personal touch konti pa lang ang pinaka-personal touch ko ay nagsa-suggest ako ng mga ibang songs so that's it even the arrangement of the songs si tito Sonny ang gumagawa pero ang okay d'un ibinabagay talaga niya sa boses ko atsaka d'un sa character ko pero to answer your question directly is at this point in my career, hindi pa gaanong na-explore y'ung personal na reflections ko kumbaga y'ung kaluluwa ko hindi pa nakikita sa mga albums ko.

AIZA: Yes. Every album that I make mas lumalaki 'yung participation ko kumbaga before n'ung nagsimula ako literal na kumakanta ako ngayon nakiki co-produce na rin ako. I get to decide also what type of arrangement that I want for the song kung saan 'yung feeling ko na mas maganda 'yung magiging direction n'ya ngayon mas may say na ako d'un. So yes I think every album that I make is a reflection of 'yung growth ko as an artist.

With your album right now, what does it say about where you are right now?

JURIS: Nai-inspire ako ngayon na i-hone iyong area ng pagsusulat ng kanta. So hopefully, although before may mga nasulat naman ako sa mga dating albums. Ngayon kasi gusto kong icontinue 'yung inilabas namin ngayon na puro original songs lahat except “I Love You Goodbye” kasi bonus track 'yun. Gusto ko sana ma-continue 'yun kung p'wede. Maganda rin kasi na mag-encourage ng puro original sa mga artists.

PRINCESS: 'Yung current album ko kasi its the second part of my first album kasi 'yung first album ko parang sinubukan lang iyon kung papatok s'yempre with the urgings of my manager si tita Sherbeth, she made it possible na lumabas 'yung album and sobra naman siyang naging successful Platinum siya after six months of release so after n'un ang dami ko kasing mga fans na nanghihingi na ng mga bagong songs at ng bagong album at sila mismo ang nagsa-suggest ng mga songs so half of the songs sa second album ko galing sa mga fans ko na nagtugma din naman d'un sa mga gusto ko at ng producer ko at gusto rin ng Vicor. This is the second chapter of my first album, so right now, medyo safe pa kami parang inuulit lang namin 'yung naging success n'un first hindi namin masyadong binago kung saan ako nakilala at kung saan ako sumikat iyon pa rin ang formula na ginagawa namin. Since nagstart pa lang ako sa career ko, I think this is the logical path para gawin but hopefully sa mga next albums ko and nag-uusap na kami about that mage-evolve na.

AIZA: Siguro nand'un ako sa enjoyment ng music. Nage-enjoy ako na hindi lang 'yung vocals ang nabibigyan ng pansin. Nage-enjoy ako na 'yung buong banda ko naririnig at nakikita 'yung kagalingan nila sa pagtugtog at sa pag-interpret n'ung kanta nand'un ako ngayon sa estado na 'yun. Gusto ko bawat song may kino-convey na message not through the lyrics lang but nako-convey n'ya how the music is played also.

With the producer/s that you’ve worked on this album, how did he help you achieve the sound that you wanted?

JURIS: Tinanong n'ya ako actually nagpakita siya ng mga peg kung anong tunog ang gusto ko. Gan'un lang. So iyong iba kasi like si Aiza (Seguerra) siya iyong nag-produce ng “Di Lang Ikaw” at iyong ibang nag-produce ng ibang kanta kumbaga I trust them naman at hindi ko na kailangang questionin iyon kasi mas matagal sila sa akin sa industry and I'm sure they know a lot more about music than sa akin pero p'wede akong mag-suggest suggest ganyan.

PRINCESS: 'Yung producer ko nga si tito Sonny Ilacad sila kasi ni tita Sherbet 'yung wife n'ya ang naka-discover sa akin. Umpisa pa lang alam na niya kung anong bagay sa boses ko so ang pinaka-importante for me is trust na gagawin n'ya 'yung mga arrangements, 'yung mga kantang talagang bagay sa akin at talagang gustung-gusto marinig ng mga tao kasi iyon ang palaging sinasabi sa akin ni tito Sonny na h'wag kang tutugtog o kakanta ng mga songs na gusto mo lang dapat 'yung gustong marinig ng mga tao kasi you're doing this not for yourself lang naman but for others and tuwing magre-record kami ng album nakakatawa kasi sa lahat ng album na ginawa namin walang isang day na 'di talaga kami nag-away na ako mafraustrate ako kasi hindi lumalabas 'yung gusto kong boses, parang wala ako sa mood, si tito Sonny na-stress kasi gusto n'yang matapos kasi pagod na rin siya tapos iiyak ako tapos mag-uusap kami ng mga 20 mins, maglalabasan kami ng sama ng loob tapos okay basta iyon ang laging sinasabi sa akin ni tito Sonny na wala akong album na pinalampas na hindi ako umiyak kasi medyo iyakin. Hindi alam ng mga tao na hindi madaling gumawa ng album. It really takes a lot of effort, time and love for what you're doing to come up with really a good album kaya nga 'yung ibang artists taon ang binibilang bago makapaglabas ng album kasi kung hindi ka confident d'un sa album mo bakit mo ilalabas 'di ba? Singers, musicians and producers get immortalized with the CD sa plaka na lalabas so kailangan very careful.

AIZA: Ako, sa totoo lang I'm very very lucky na alam naman nating lahat na ang recording industry ngayon hindi masyadong okay but very lucky ako na nabibigyan ako ng chance pa rin to play with the musicians na gusto naming makasama well 'yung banda ko kahit medyo malaki 'yung budget nagawa namin na lahat ng kanta sa album ay you know live music, live instruments lahat. So iyon and of course very very happy rin kasi 'yung producer namin trusts me and respects my inputs kahit siya sobrang senior na naiintindihan n'ya rin kung ano 'yung pinanggalingan ko and I think that's very important sa isang relationship. We share ideas and maganda kasi kapag nag-share ng ideas mas nag-grow, nagiging maganda 'yung lumalabas.

The Music

They might be musical artists themselves who waive their own music; nevertheless they themselves have their own personal preferences towards music their fellow musicians toss into the airwaves.

Juris posited type according to whatever mode or ambiance she maybe, “actually iba-iba minsan nakikinig ako ng U2 kapag trip lang. Nakikinig ako ng songs ni Colbie Caillat. Gusto ko rin sa Natasha Bedingfield. Hindi rin ako mahilig makinig minsan pero for research nakikinig ako ng top songs para magkaroon ako ng mga idea sa mga songs na bago especially now na nagtry akong i-hone ang songwriting.”

Lady Gaga gets the transient taste of Princess, “currently, ako kasi pabago-bago ako e I listen to pop. I always listen to the radio just to know kung ano 'yung mga bagong trends. I really like listening to of course Lady Gaga. For me, she kinda revolutionize pop. I admire her style. She's very unique. She thinks fearless in terms of expressing her artistry.”

Aiza gets to be at mood dependent on popping her ear buds, “actually depende sa mood ko eh. Ako I listen to rock. Kapag gusto kong mag-relax magsasalpak ako ng Enya any instrumental na piano. Kapag 'yung tipong driving naman laging nand'yan ang Indigo Girls, Sarah Mclachlan or The Beatles. Kapag mahaba-haba 'yung b'yahe minsan Rnb or kahit anong trip.”

For Juris and Princess, you are famed for doing revivals. Are they all about your music through the years?

JURIS: Well, 'yung mga kantang ni-revive iyon din kasi 'yung mga kantang gusto rin naming gawin lalo na ako kasi ako ang kumakanta especially iyong right sa gig list mo, matutuwa kang kantahin kasi gusto mo iyong kinakanta at the same time request iyon ng mga fans. Growing older, hindi ako listener. Actually, hindi ko plinano ang pagkanta kasi hindi ako mahilig sa music n'ung lumalaki ako. Ang goal ko lang dati matapos mag-school, maging doctor ako. I guess binigay talaga ni Lord.

PRINCESS: May mga nagre-request ng lumang kanta pero I don't want to break away from the concept na ibinigay sa akin kasi gusto ko consistent talaga d'un ako nag-stick sa mga bago. Although mahilig akong kumanta ng mga lumang kanta kasi maraming magagandang lumang kanta eh but as of now d'un ako nakafocus sa mga new hits kasi d'un ako nakilala.

Explain your current music, and the style of your music.

JURIS: Right now, 'yung mga pegs namin leading to country sounds mga Colbie Caillat and Taylor Swift country pop music and medyo alternative ng konti. Kasi 'yung mga tunog namin ngayon may mga violin, may mga cielo, may mga gan'un na siya. PRINCESS: My current style is acoustic ng mga current hits and ang difference n'ya is 'yung acoustic style n'ya medyo upbeat at merong mabagal. AIZA: Right now kasi every song that we do, I try to understand the message e sa akin kasi every song has a story na nasa isip n'un sumulat. As much as we can, gusto namin ma-convey 'yung k'wento na iyon, mailabas y'ung message na iyon sa mga nakikinig. So ngayon, bumabagsak kami sa folk alternative especially during gigs.

What was the most courageous thing you ever did to get noticed by the OPM scene?

JURIS: Well for me, ito the album – releasing an all-original album. Buti na lang 'yung recording company ko placed a bonus track which is “I Love You Goodbye” in a way parang medyo right now nakatulong iyon para mafamiliarize 'yung mga tao mas madaling ipromote. At saka iyong pagso-solo ko.

PRINCESS: I've been lucky, I didn't really have to do anything drastic to get noticed. Actually, ako pa 'yung medyo pinilit. I think 'yung pinaka-courageous thing na ginawa ko so far is to say yes na magrecording and mag-yes ako na ganitong style na hindi pa nagagawa and it paid off. AIZA: Hindi ko alam. Siguro just being myself. I think that's being courageous kasi 'yung iba kailangan nila ng image e ako para sa akin by being myself I think medyo matapang 'yun kasi hindi madali na magpaka-totoo ka. Na tanggapin mo lahat ng sasabihin sa iyo dahil nagpaka-totoo ka.

For Princess, is there anyone whose career you emulate, particularly someone like you who's trying to bridge audiences and phases in your life?

PRINCESS: Right now, wala akong masabing isang definite na isang tao lang halo-halo talaga like siguro 'yung sa pagi-gitara kasi usually kapag nagi-gitara ka medyo rocker ang dating and ngayon I'm trying to be like na ang gitara ay hindi lang siya panglalaki at pang-rocker p'wede rin siya sa mga girly girls like si Taylor Swift and Marie Digby na parang they can rock the guitar even if they're wearing a dress.

Which song of you , that you always looking forward to perform the most? Why?

JURIS: "'Di Lang Ikaw" kasi laging nire-request.

PRINCESS: 'Yung bago kong single na original "You Still Have My Heart" kasi lagi na lang ako nagko-cover this is one song that I really want to be identified with na kanta ko talaga although it wasn't really written by me. It was written by Davey Langit (PDA season II alumna) Sana kapag inirealease siya at magkaroon ng airplay makilala ako na iba naman na hindi naman kantang original ni ganito.

AIZA: Actually lahat naman eh everytime may gig kami I always look forward to playing kasi nage-enjoy ako so walang specific song so 'yung set namin enjoy 'yun so kahit alin d'un game ako.

For Aiza, how did you grow as an artist since you started?

AIZA: Learning by example kasi kumbaga mapalad ako na marami akong nakakatrabaho na senior at seniora sa industriyang ito and kumbaga kung anuman iyong maliit mga maliliit na lessons na maipakita nila kinukuha nila at kung meron akong gustong malaman magtatanong ako. Sa buhay na ito maraming teachers. You just have to open your eyes and your mind kung ano 'yung mga lessons na gusto mong itake-in. Kung ano iyong feeling mo na mas magbe-benifit ka.

What are the plans for the rest of the year? What is up next for you as far as music in concerned?

JURIS: This year, kasi kasisimula ko rin lang with my solo album. I'm just promoting the album and then yung theme song ng Magkaribal ako ang kumanta n'un. Actually, natutuwa ako kapag napipili akong kumanta ng mga theme songs ng movies or teleseryes mga ganyan. I think I also have a concert out of the country soon.

PRINCESS: Plans for the coming months is I'll probably start recording a new album. Inaayos pa iyong pinaka-concept pero I'm sure may covers pa rin na kasama and hopefully may makasamang originals at songs na gawa ko talaga. As of now, I'm still promoting my current album and 'yung sa ASAP and hopefully I'll be able to do more shows. 'Yung mga fans ko gustong makagawa ako ng shows sa iba't-ibang places dito sa Philippines.

AIZA: Ngayon kasi since may bago akong album 'yung Love Perhaps we're busy promoting the album, maraming mall shows. Come July 31st ilo-launch namin itong album sa Singapore. So hopefully maging okay siya. Right now, its doing really good sa market so sana magpatuloy lang. And siguro I'll produce more songs.

Is there anyone you would really like to work with or meet?

JURIS: Alam mo ang isang na-miss ko bakit hindi ako humingi ng kanta kay Ogie Alcasid. Hopefully magkaroon ng chance na makatrabaho ko siya. Gusto kong maka-duet si Leah Salonga.

PRINCESS: Sa international nga I dream big U2 ang gusto ko or John Mayer and locally ang talagang dream ko makasama kapag tinatanong ako 'yung original Rivermaya and kung hindi man 'yung mga bands na ina-admire ko 'yung mga members ng Rivermaya, Eraserheads. Mga songwriters and performers na magagaling. Masaya ako na naka-duet ko na si Juris and Aiza kasi nagconcert kami before. Siguro I want to do a collaboration with Aiza and Juris kaming tatlo. Kasi usually di ba dalawa lang so feeling ko mas okay kapag kaming tatlo nagrecord kami ng isang track feeling ko okay 'yung kalalabasan.

AIZA: Si Sarah Mclachlan. Gusto kong makatrabaho si Sir Ryan Cayabyab 'yung orchestra n'ya tapos si Gary V.

Others On The Rocks

Other than that, there is more to them than meets our eyes. Music alone doesn’t guarantee much of things we know about them. They’ve chorus few of them here.

You want more of a piece of them, know them here!

When did you learn to use your sex appeal/charm/charisma to your advantage as a performer?

JURIS: Siguro ano thank you to my stylist and my make-up artist sa pagdamit at pag-aayos nila sa akin.

PRINCESS: Dati pa kahit hindi pa ako recording artist kapag may gustong guy ako sa audience tinitignan ko lang ng malagkit. I can't dance naman kasi so it's really eye contact and small smiles na medyo pa-cute cute. I'm very thankful and blessed na pinanganak akong marunong kumanta na medyo mellow 'yung boses ko masarap pakinggan iyon talaga ang pinaka-pinasasalamatan ko sa Diyos.

AIZA: Hindi ata nag-apply sa akin iyang tanong na iyan. (laughs)

What's the one misconception you feel people just don't get about you?

JURIS: Mataray kasi minsan may mga time na gusto ko lang tumahimik kasi hindi naman akong sociable na tao. I have my close friends pero ngayon I'm learning kasi I have to kasi I'm in the entertainment industry, I have to learn and talk to people at makipaghalubilo ng pakonti-konti kasi dati nasa bahay lang ako. 'Yung tipong mag-initiate ng konting conversation ganyan pero okay naman lalo sa mga fans mababait naman sila kumbaga nagiging comfortable ka agad. May topak lang talaga ako minsan. (laughs)

PRINCESS: Na all I can do is manggaya. I think iyon ang common misconception na a'yun lang ang kaya ko na manggaya lang at puro covers lang. I hope that for the next few years matanggal 'yung gan'ung misconception and to prove na kaya ko naman talagang gumawa ng original.

AIZA: I don't really know.

Being in ASAP’s Sessionistas what was the chemistry like when you stepped on the stage together for the first time?

JURIS: Noong first time hi, hello lang kami tapos konting kwentuhan lang tapos ngayon makikita ninyo iyong changes ng pagpe-perform namin kasi n'ung una kakanta lang kami n'ung parts namin wala pang gaanong interaction hanggang naging comfortable na rin. Sa Sessionistas kasi gusto namin 'yung gig feel, 'yung comfortable lang, just having fun lang on stage. Noon una kasi masyado kaming proper n'un talagang kanta lang.

PRINCESS: Ang very first time kong makasama sila sa stage ay 'yung sa Boracay episode. 'Yung time na iyon parang it's very surreal to me na 'am I really here' nakasama ko sila na parang hindi ko alam ang gagawin ko. Sobrang okay sila, sobra nilang ang babait kahit sobrang tagal na sila na n'ung dumating ako they're all very friendly to me kahit nakaupo lang ako sa isang tabi sila pa 'yung lumalapit sa akin para makipag-usap so thankful ako na sila ang nakasama ko. Medyo mahiyaan kasi ako pero ngayon okay na kasama ko sila parang no pressure kapag kumakanta kami parang laru-laro lang

AIZA: First few weeks medyo may ilangan which I think is normal kasi nagkikita man kami during gigs as in hi and hello lang wala talagang bonding moments medyo nagta-tantyahan kami ng ugali ng isa't-isa pero n'ung medyo nagwarm-up na kami sa isa't-isa okay na.

Are you happy with your position now and everything you have achieved?

JURIS: Oo, I'm very very happy actually. Sabi nga 'di ba kung may magklo-close na window may magbubukas na iba. Everything happens for a reason and everything turned out to be good so far. PRINCESS: Yes, because I'm relatively new I just started last year and nasa Sessionistas na ako. I've never imagined that my life would be very different like in one year. Childhood dream ko ito and I've never realized na matutupad 'yung dream ko.

AIZA: Yes, I'm very happy and kuntento. Kuntento ako in the sense na nasa trabahong ito na ako for almost 20 years na you know 'yung tao gan'un pa rin 'yung pagkagusto nila d'un sa music na ginagawa ko sa masaya ako sa aspeto na 'yun kasi hindi lahat ng tao nai-enjoy 'yung longevity na nararamdaman ko ngayon. Happy ako d'un kasi natutuwa ako sa mga moms na ini-introduce ako sa mga anak nila 'yun 'yung talagang nakatutuwa sa lahat na alam mo 'yun pinapakilala nila sa Aiza sa mga bata. Malaking bagay sa akin iyon. Alam mo kahit gaano ako katagal kahit saan man ako dalhin okay lang sa akin as long as masaya ako, as long as masaya pa rin 'yung mga tao sa akin. Kahit gaano pa katagal okay lang. I'm really enjoying may work itong career na ito and sana God willing magtagal pa. Sa totoo lang isa ito sa mga best jobs in the world parang hobby pero bayad ka. I love to sing. I love to play so masaya na akong ganito hangga't kayang matagal na matagal game!

Can you share a sad experiences before you become successful to who you are right now? What have you learned with that experience?

JURIS: Sa mga gigs sa bars minsan 'yung mga tao pumupunta lang d'un para kumain pero okay lang iyon parang practice na lang. (laughs) Basta ako kumakanta lang at nag-e-enjoy.

PRINCESS: As a singer, wala pa akong nararanasang sad pero when I started singing my mom died kasi n'ung narush siya sa hospital I was auditioning for a gig so I couldn't go home immediately so sabi ko sa brother ko I'll go home after this pagdating ko ng hospital wala na comatose na 'yung mom ko hindi ko na siya nakausap super sad talaga iyon. It's one of my regrets. Ang consolacion ko na lang is I know na she's in heaven and she's happy for me that I'm successful now at least napanuod n'ya ako n'ung nage-guest ako sa ASAP dati.

AIZA: Para sa akin kasi, ang success is just figment of your imagination. Sometimes kahit gaano ka-successful if 'yung personal life mo naman is in turmoil parang balewala lahat ng success na meron ka. Para sa akin, kung maayos lahat ng relationships mo sa loved ones mo, sa family mo, sa friends mo, I think successful ka na n'un. Bonus na lang iyong okay 'yung nangyayari sa trabaho mo.

What are your other extravagances?

JURIS: Hindi naman ako maluho siguro mahilig ako sa shoes. Hindi naman ako shopper. 'Yung ano lang kapag naiisip kong bumili medyo marami akong nabibili pero hindi ako laging namimili. Tamad akong mag-shopping. Hindi ako palalabas. Boring po akong tao actually. (laughs) PRINCESS: Ako simple lang ako. Mahilig akong manuod ng movies as in sa movie house talaga. So hindi lumalampas ang isang linggo na hindi ako nanunuod ng kahit isang movie talaga.

AIZA: Collector ako ng DVDs. I love watching movies. Books kasi I love to read books and mga laro ng PS3 'yan 'yung mga medyo luho ko at saka pagkain.

So, what's the craziest outfit you've ever worn?

JURIS: Hindi naman siya craziest outfit pero kakaiba lang siya talaga. We have this production number in ASAP with Sitti and Nina na Lady Gaga ng mga kanta mukha kaming spaceship. Parang pang outside world at talagang kumikinang kami sa stage. Nakakatuwa nga kasi Lady Gaga dapat medyo iba 'yung dating.

PRINCESS: Wala pa naman so most of my outfits are pretty safe so far.

AIZA: Para sa akin, one time n'un nag-guest ako sa Celebrity Duets parang role playing kami ako 'yung character ni Sandra Dee sa Grease so 'yung character n'ya na glamed up na siya, leather thights and everything kahit may tattoo na ako sobrang na blond wig talaga. Minenakeup-an ako ng super red na lipstick, very heavy na do eye and falsies na ten feet long. So far iyon ang craziest at kailangan ng mga two million para ulitin ko 'yun.

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