CHELSEA

b e h i n d   t h e   s c e n e s 

with Grey Muriel (Touchpoint Docu Team)

scanned film photos from Patrisha Balao (Touchpoint Motion Creatives Team)

click here to watch the whole segment

But how did I get here?

This is how my journey started...

I started singing when I was only still in pre-school, I gained confidence to perform since then. I had the “kapal ng mukha” to bring myself out on stage and sing my heart out because I know I can hit the right notes (well at least that’s what my parents and my teachers told me).

During my grade school years, I got inspired to sing more, because of the Disney shows I watch. My number one influence was Hannah Montana. I sing her songs whenever I volunteer to be an intermission number in a school event (intramurals, variety shows) and also in my auditions. Here’s a video of my 4th grade choir auditions back in 2009:

Though I was wearing a Hannah Montana shirt, I sang Demi Lovato’s “This Is Me” from Camp Rock.

I tried to start writing songs back in 5th grade, and even wrote a farewell song to my friends at DLSAU (De La Salle Araneta University) in 6th grade, entitled: “Hard To Let Go”, because I’m leaving school next year for high school.

In High School, of course when you’re a new student, teachers always ask you “what’s your talent?” and asks to give a sample. So, I sing some lines from my favorite Miley Cyrus songs, and they compliment me that I have a great voice. And then in the upcoming events for my first year, I got consecutive offers to sing in events inside our school.

For my first and second years in high school, I’ve always been the “intermission number girl”. Like they always come to me whenever they need one. But then one day,  I thought, “I wanted to be more than this. I want to do more”. I am not sure yet what it was but I am sure it’s not be just the same old me who just sings as an intermission number.

So, during my third year, I decided to audition as part of an inter-school singing competition held by Center for Pop, and.... I passed! And became a contestant.

I then won a gift certificate to enroll at Center For Pop (free singing lessons). I haven’t really had formal singing lessons until this. So I’m thankful I got to experience this.

After I won, I didn’t stop here. I also auditioned and became a contestant to our school’s annual singing competition and won the Champion title! *tears of joy*

I was the defending Champion for the next year. But I defended my title and became the back-to-back Champion until my senior year.

Whenever I had free time, I write songs. And luckily, I submitted my song to our school admin and it got approved to be the batch song for our graduation (Batch 2015). I still cry every time I hear it because I was really inspired by my high school friends when I wrote it.

Fast forward to freshmen year in college, I really had my mind set on taking up music (it was my second choice in the USTET) but then I never knew the results because I got accepted for my first choice which is Advertising Arts, I thought it was a “practical choice” than music but of course I still plan to pursue my music career dreams even though I’m not in the college of music.

In college, I thought “it’s a bigger community, way bigger than high school, maybe it’s hard to stand out because there are a lot of talented people in this school” but that didn’t stop me from still doing my passion. I joined local and university-wide organizations that are related to music because I know I’ll find my fellow artists who are just like me, mga pasimula pa lang. And I did! We did collaborations for our covers and we got to perform in University Events.

See my post on my freshmen singing gigs ♡

I though it was “fun” to multitask. Do plates, and still be able to perform live shows and also write my own songs. Well, there’s always a struggle, di naman maiiwasan ‘yun. There were times when I thought “dapat kasi di ako nasa Fine Arts eh, sa music dapat ako eh!”. Because it’s really obvious, my first love was really music.

During the rest of my stay in UST, I had quite a lot of performance gigs and singing competitions like the Thomasian Idol (I was a finalist!) and of course the Eat Bulaga: Music Hero The Vocal Battle.

I sang Demi Lovato’s song Confident in Music Hero, because that’s who I am, or at least, that’s where it all started. With my confidence, I am able to share my talent in front of an audience.

For the past year, I also experienced opening for One Music PH’s event in our school (alongside artists, Kiana Valenciano, Sam Concepcion and Moophs).

Whenever I get an offer to perform, I grab it! Because I thought that’s the only way I can share my music even if I am studying in a different college that doesn’t involve music.

I was really not that good in painting or drawing, I always thought, “para dito ba talaga ako?” , but I always aimed for excellence (in anything I do)! And as I am developing my skills in art, I still do not forget to still pursue my dreams to become a singer.

Recently, I have released my new original song, “I’d Never Let You Know”. Feel free to stream my music on soundcloud.

I am still in my journey towards my dream. And I won’t stop until I reach it. There might be obstacles along the way, but that’s the fun in it.

This is just me. The singer in an art school.

These were all impromptu. We were just going to have our shoot for our Lighting Condition plate in Photography class, but then we had an idea of using ourselves as each other’s subjects. And these photos were the result. Thank you Colin!

Turning 18 won’t be as exciting as I expected it to be without this little debut that I had a week before my actual birthday. Super mixed emotions that night and all of my kalokohan sa buhay got revealed. 

I made this celebration like my “mini-concert” because I missed performing so much and I really wanted to have a concert of my own (my dream since I was a kid because of Hannah Montana, lol)

some gifts:

Mariza was the one who gave me this gift.

Feeling like a Dangerous Woman with this gift from Cherie.

the guests:

CFAD friends

UST Tigersharks Teammates

Siena HS friends

This has become the most memorable night of my life. I really had a great time with everybody who came. I’m thankful for my mom, dad and Heart for letting me have this event even though I didn’t want to have a debut. I love you!

Going to SM Aura Premiere at Bonifacio Global City with my block mates Aljon, Cherie and Mariza was really worth the hassle of commuting in Metro Manila. Upon entering the SMX Convention Center, the first thing I literally said was “Wow!”. Everything looked stunning, I can’t even figure out where to go first. As I roam around the galleries inside, Mariza and I were able to identify which block mate of ours has a similar technique with a specific artist because of their works. For some, I look at every detail of the artworks that I find interesting and take pictures of it. 

Of all the masterpieces that I saw in the exhibit, this sculpture (photo below) made in fiberglass resin called Bono (Saging lang ang may puso) by John Paul Duray is my favorite. 

I was struck by its uniqueness and also because I love bananas. I was enthralled by how the artist explained his work. He says that: a banana is a cudgel of wisdom about finding your vulnerable truest self, and that for you to find its wholeness; you have to peel the layers thickened by time. Bono means good, and every Juan who thinks like a banana but holds his heart like a moral compass allows him to search and find the light at the end of the tunnel while remaining true to his vulnerable self. Understanding his message made me realize that I can relate to this piece on a spiritual level that is why I was captivated by its beauty. It awakened my soul to be more aware that to live is to remain true to myself and to find wisdom and courage to continue this life despite the challenges and stress that will come while I am on my way to my goal and my dream. I love this artwork so much that I would want it as a gift for my birthday, but it’s expensive, so having my picture taken with it is a great remembrance of being galvanized and touched by this piece of art.

I had fun roaming around the exhibit, I find very comforting, it was a great week-ender for my stressful week. 

Seeing different artworks with different styles and themes from our local artists really inspired me to continue discovering and developing my own technique in art. I really wish that someday, I will also be able to participate in this kind of exhibition.

My class was from 12nn to 5pm but I left at around 4pm to get a chance to be in front, my ticket was VIP 1 Standing. I ditched my last class that was from 5pm-8pm, it’s better to miss one lecture than to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see my favorites perform live!! I didn’t even have time to change, so I went inside the arena wearing my school uniform #noshame #goUSTE lol

I have intense PCD (post concert depression) whilst composing this blog post, so i’m just gonna leave my shots here first:

Third Eye Blind

James Bay

Panic! At The Disco

The 1975

I was with my friend, Ate Cha, a graduate from UST CFAD.. I also saw my other friends and schoolmates upon entering and leaving the MOA arena.

This is one of the best nights of my life! I felt really victorious because finally, after long years of waiting, Brendon Urie and Matt Healy were literally singing in front of me, I swear I shed a tear while singing along to their songs. I actually panicked during the first part of P!ATD’s set because my iPod, the one I’m using to take pictures and videos, fell on the floor and while I was down to get it, I got compressed by the people, and I can’t freaking breathe (buti nalang tinayo ako ni Ate Cha, she actually thought I fainted right when I saw Brendon omg). Also!! During James Bay’s set which was in between Panic! and The 1975, I deleted some of my apps and photos because I ran out of memory, plus my battery got drained, good thing I had my powerbank with me. So intense. Other artists like Twin Pines and Elle King were really good as well, seeing and hearing them perform live made me more inspired to make music and appreciate it. I am so going to treasure this moment, I’m never ever ever going to forget this!!

I’m super thankful for my mom and dad for allowing me to go this concert even though it was very expensive and also because they also stayed up late waiting for me (the show ended at around 12:45am tapos may class ako ng 7am, nice). 

Thank you MMI again for this show!  I really hope these artists (especially Panic! and The 1975, my faves) do come back here.

While I was getting ready for Selena Gomez’s concert here in the Philippines, although I like the make up that I did to my face, I didn’t like my hair. Lol. Everybody kept on telling me to have a haircut and dye it again because it doesn’t look good on me anymore. At first, I thought “ano ba pake niyo, buhok ko ‘to eh” but then I realized how much of a hassle my hair is for me, it’s way too heavy and long which makes me very uncomfortable. So, after this picture was taken, I decided to cut my own hair (for like 5-8 minutes), I started with the bangs, and did a little layering on the sides (just like Selena’s new hair! Selena was really my hair peg, ever since I was in 4th grade). I felt like I needed a revival of my own. 

I went to the concert with my cousin, Ate Tricia. We were super excited to watch Selena perform live! We even listened to her whole album on the way to MOA Arena.

The show started at around 8:45pm with Darren Espanto opening up with his singles including one cover.

We were seated at the Upper Box area in the arena, almost at the center of th stage, so yeah, we liked our view from here. Hehe.

“sneeeepcheeet!” | via Patricia Dominguez on Snapchat

                                    The aesthetics, production and everything were perfect! Selena slayed her every performance!

Thank you Selena Gomez and MMI for bring the Revival Tour to the Philippines. 

The event was held at the Eastwood Citywalk. Thank God it didn’t rain today! My baby, Clark, had fun during the said event. It feels good to see him mingle with other dogs and to be able to donate to the foundation. We were also able to talk to other dog owners regarding the products we buy and give to our pets. There were a lot of sponsors present (Furmagic, Vitality, Bayopet, and much more!) and we received goodies/freebies from them.

And guess what? We were able to meet the man behind the foundation as well!

Okay. I fangirl-ed a bit. Starstruck. He’s such a great guy. Truly a good-looking man with a heart. 

At the opening of the event, he noticed Clark because he was in the front row seat, after his spiels, he approached my dad and rubbed Clark’s head. (they look like mag-kumpare in this photo tho, lol.) 

Here’s dad with the two things he’s addicted to: Clark. and. Fernando Poe Jr. (that’s his star right there!)

No wonder Gerald had his eye on Clark. Look! He’s so cute.

Clark is a 9-month-old German Shepherd. Our other dog, Sam (also a German Shepherd) died because of heat stroke.

Dogs are not just pets. For me, Clark, and also Mikay (shih tzu), are part of our family. We take care of them just like how we take care of each other. We joined this event not just to donate to the foundation but also to bond and have a great time with Clark; we wanted him to explore and have fun. We don’t want him to be locked up in our front yard forever. This was his first participation in a dog run, and this won’t be the last.

I want to say congratulations to Gerald Anderson, and the staff of The Gerald Anderson Foundation for the successful dog run, not bad for a first! I’m looking forward to more events like this. This is an organization I’ll indeed support.

Everything that I thought I knew changed when I went to college. Everything’s so divergent and confusing..

Reflecting once again from my experiences during my very memorable freshman year, I had a pretty rough time coping with the new environment and the different kinds of people I have to work with/ be with for the whole two semesters. Some were “okay”, while most are “ehh”, if you know what I mean... Until I met Mariza. 

Yeah, she looks like a goth girl, that’s what I thought to myself when I first saw her. She’s an irregular student in our class, because she shifted from Architecture to Advertising arts. For the first semester, we only had one class together, but for the second semester, we had three classes together which is the reason why we had the chance to get along more. As I’ve gotten to know her, it turns out that she’s one of the sweetest and most genuine person I have ever met. I don’t know, maybe it’s because of my extrovert kind of personality but I know and I can feel that I’m safe when I’m with her, like I can share and say my thoughts with her and she won’t be judging me. I trust her comments and I respect her opinions so much, because most of the time, I agree with them. When you look at us, we are totally different, especially by the way we dress, but somehow, we were able to find our similitude and that’s how we became close, I think. Hehe.

I wasn’t feeling the vibe of my current blockmates by the start of the second semester, and good thing, she was there(and also Afer)! I asked her to be my seatmate because I was left alone by my former group of friends from our block.

Since then... we were inseparable (lol).

in this photo: Issa Palisoc, Mica Palisoc, me, Carla Teng.

Because of Mariza, I met these beautiful people. With my confidence and kapal ng mukha, I talked to them and got to know them one by one, soon, I hung out with them at Mariza’s dorm. I so love chilling with them after long hours of classes. No stress. No issues. No bullshit. and other dramas. I’m so touched when they told me that I’m always welcome to join them whenever, wherever. 

There’s never a dull moment when I’m with them. Sometimes, we can just lay in bed (in Mariza’s dorm) and scroll down our phones, sleep, eat (a lot), or just talk, and still have a good time. 

Right then and there, I knew we would be great friends for life.

in this photo: Mica Palisoc, Carla Teng, me, Issa Palisoc, Jasfer Blanco.

The other thing I like about them is that, they’re always there to support me. For every time I’m going to perform onstage, they’re there to cheer on me and even take videos of me (lol thank you friends hehe).

Besides art, since we’re all art students... They also love music as much as I do. Although their taste were kind of different than mine, I was open to discover the songs that they prefer.. because of them, my love for alternative music(from when I was in grade 4-5) came back to life! I was able to appreciate local indie music, and even rock. I learned new songs that would become my favorite. One of them was Silakbo by MilesExperience. (I have gotten to know the pianist of that band btw, because of Mica, hehe hi Guido, such a nice guy)

It turns out this vacation ain’t nothing but missing them! (quoting Taylor Swift with that line tho, lol)

They are one of the many things that made my first year in college worth every tear, sweat, stress, money, everything. I honestly don’t know how will I survive the last semester without them!

I’m so so thankful that I met them. And I’m so damn lucky to have them as my friends. 

Here’s my musical journey throughout the first two semesters I’ve spent in UST:

1. CFAD HIMIG General Assembly 2015

2. CFAD Week 2016: HIMIG SPACEBAR

3. MUSIKAT General Assembly 2015

4. CFAD Week 2016:  TAMAGUCCI Fashion Show

5. SOAR: CFAD One Shade Anniversary Concert

6. UST CFAD Touchpoint’s Adball: The Premiere

7. CFAD Recognition Day 2016 (no photo)

8. CFAD Week 2016: Leagued With Legends (no photo)

Singing is really my passion. Before I started this school year, my first year in college, I was worried about how am I going to continue doing what I love to do since grade school, which is performing. I joined my college and even univ-wide organizations so that I can showcase my talent… and they did recognize me. Despite my hassle and stressful schedule, of course I would never refuse an offer to perform. I even sang in debut parties of my friends last year and this year. I also were able to pass the auditions and reach the Elimination rounds for MUSIKAT’s Thomasian Idol.

No words can describe how thankful I am for my orgs, CFAD HIMIG, Touchpoint, CFAD Student Council, and MUSIKAT for giving me opportunities to perform for their events. And also to my friends and family who are always there to support me (and taking pictures and videos of my performances hehe). It has been a music-filled school year!

I hope for the next years to come, I can still continue doing this and uhm idk, level up maybe? lol

I was this close to you back in 2014 when you had your first show here in the Philippines. And I was freaking out with my friend, Tania, because after years of just watching you on our computer screen from youtube, here you are right in front of us. I can still remember when our fingers touched while you were performing at Trinoma.

I sang your songs and your versions to my auditions and it took me to different places and events. I'm very thankful that I discovered you and your music. You became an inspiration to me not just in music but in my life. Even in my performances and covers, you have your influence on me.

My heart shattered into million bits and pieces by the time I found out that you passed away. You are one of the greatest voices of our generation. Your magic still lives on even if you're physically not here with us on Earth anymore.

I can't help but feel emotional about this. My prayers go out to you and your family.

Rest in peace. I love you, Christina Grimmie!

some change makes it hard to fit i just can't put my finger on it what did i do to deserve this i keep turning around to find bliss

i thought i found a place to start i want to talk from the heart but why can't i figure this out? somehow i just want to get out

take me somewhere new where my life won't be so blue where i can let myself be blithe where i can see the light i want to break free i want to be me complete the chord inside of me

so take me somewhere new i want to see another view

i go through this every day i don't want to live this way give me another note to conclude this song i wrote

and for some reason, this free verse poem of mine has a “part two”, i found it written in one of my notebooks for school, i can’t remember when i wrote this though, so here it goes:

i get kind of heCtic inside

wHenever I see you

if you oNly knew

the things that flow through my mind

I’ve waited so looOooOOong for this moment to come!

 I didn’t get a chance to meet her up close and personal but at least I got to see her perform onstage LIVE! We were kinda far, our ticket was only GA. :(

Every little penny spent on the concert ticket was so worth it! The production’s great, the dancers were great, and Ariana’s vocals and moves, as usual was THE best. 

I was with Samantha Gem, my former schoolmate back in SCQC. I’m so glad I have her as my company for tonight. We sang every song together and screamed on the top of our lungs!

an #ootd photo is kinda mandatory.. lol

I really, really hope Ari comes back soon.. and when that “soon” comes, I hope I will be able to buy a VIP ticket.

I don’t know, I ran out of words to describe this feeling that I’m feeling. I’m still having this “post concert depression”, and it crushes me inside.

I’m just really really happy that I got to see my moonlight bae, my idol, my everything.

in the photo (from left to right): Mara Tanchanco, Marith Tanchanco, Chelsea Duran(me), Czarina Clemente

The Pond’s Besties soiree was held at Cafe Naya at The Palac, BGC Taguig. Nicole Anderson hosted the event, and she looked very stunning as well as all the other besties last night. We had a great time listening to our fellow Pond’s girls talk about how they to get  Acne Clear Skin with Pond’s. 

Thank you Pond’s family and Neon Island for welcoming us with this Acne Clear Kit!