Filipina singing sensation Alisah Bonaobra began her singing career at an early age.
In an exclusive interview with LionhearTV, the now 25-year-old singer said her music career started when she was 9 years old.
“My music career began when I was 9 years old. That’s when I started joining amateur singing competitions in malls, barangays, schools, etc.,” she noted.
According to Alisah, she was taught and encouraged to sing as early as 5 years old by her mother.
She said her mom was a music educator in elementary and can play the banduria.
“We are 8 siblings and she taught us how to sing from my eldest sister to my second to the last brother,” Alisah narrated.
“Our youngest brother is still young at 4 years of age, but he’s also showing some interest in music now,” she added.
Alisah began to gain public attention after a video of her performing “Let It Go” on a karaoke machine in Robinsons Place Manila went viral in 2014.
After the video viral online, she became prominent in various singing competitions on television both locally and abroad.
She participated in singing contests such as Eat Bulaga’s “Just Duet,” The Voice of the Philippines, “World Championship of Performing Arts,” and The X-Factor UK.
Alisah was a runner-up in the second season of “The Voice of the Philippines” in 2015 and won gold and silver medals in four categories of the “World Championship of Performing Arts” in 2016.
But it was during the 2017 season of The X-Factor UK where the singer shined brightest.
Alisah said she considered The X-Factor UK as her greatest musical accomplishment so far.
“As an artist, my greatest musical accomplishment is being the only Filipino left in The X-Factor UK 2017 competition until week 3 of live shows,” the singer noted.
“It’s important to me because that’s the very moment that I did not only represent myself in the competition but also my country, Philippines,” she added.
Alisah managed to compete as one of the four wildcard acts for the Girls category mentored by X-Factor UK judge Sharon Osbourne.
She was the last wildcard remaining but was eliminated in week 3 of the live shows after receiving the fewest public votes, finishing in 11th place.
As a contestant, Alisah said joining The X-Factor UK was very memorable for her.
“My most memorable experience as a contestant is in The X-Factor UK,” she said.
“The very moment when the British people shouted my name to have another chance because they also believe that I deserve it,” she added.
During the show, Alisah received praise not only from her mentor Sharon, but also from judges Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh.
Nicole called her “a Disney warrior princess” and Louis called her a “Filipino tigress.”
Currently, Alisah said she is busy promoting her debut single, “Ginto ang Sandali” under the California-based RJA Productions, LLC.
Composed by Marizen Yaneza, musical arrangement by Noel Espenida, mix master by Albert Tamayo, and Arnie Mendaros as backing vocalist, “Ginto ang Sandali” is a song about hope and perseverance.
Alisah said everyone can listen to her latest song through Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
“Hopefully after this lockdown, we will start doing more songs to be included on my first solo album and will plan more about promoting it ‘live’ in front of many people,” she added.
Do you want to know Alisah better?
Continue reading below:
REAL NAME
Alisah Niña Luz Salacot Bonaobra
NICKNAME
Yssa
BIRTHDAY
April 22, 1995
FAVORITE SONG
My favorite song is my debut single under RJA Productions, LLC entitled “Ginto Ang Sandali.”
FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS
I admit that I love watching movies, but I focus more on the concept of it instead of the names of the actors/actresses in it. Is it bad?
FAVORITE MOVIE
Maybe “Titanic.”
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
A veterinarian.
IF NOT A SINGER, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR PROFESSION WOULD BE?
It’s always been my dream to become a veterinarian someday. Since I was a child, my heart for animals is different in a very good way, especially when I get to see those who badly need help, abused, neglected, stray animals, etc.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A SHOW?
First, I need to sleep on time. Second, wake up on time. Third, check the venue, the route if it’s a traffic area, then be at the venue as early as I can as long as I have a proper dressing room to stay with my entourage. Fourth, this is very important, soundcheck before my performance, as I have my own in-ear monitor and mic to avoid confusion, and to balance everything, especially I do a lot of high songs and I am walking in between my performances, also to avoid feedbacks on speakers. Fifth, two hours for fixing myself and my mother helps me with my hair because I do my own makeup. Sixth, a simple vocalization before going on stage. And last but definitely not the least, pray, and offer every song that I will sing to God.
IN YOUR FREE TIME, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY DOING?
Considering I have 14 cats and 5 dogs, as an animal advocate, I dedicate some of my free time to them, and I also do a lot of productive things like household chores, vocalizations, rehearsal at least 4 hours a day, doing live on different social media platforms, home workout for 1 hour, watching Netflix, drawing, studying new songs, etc.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND AMONG YOUR FELLOW SINGERS?
Actually, it’s friends. My co-RJA artists namely Myko Manago, Jessamae Gabon, Shaniah Rollo, Vicente Jao III, and Robster Evangelista.
DO YOU HAVE ANY STRANGE PHOBIA?
I do have phobia on insects, dark and silent places, crowded holes, and being disregarded.
WHAT’S THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING YOU HAVE SO FAR BOUGHT?
As of the moment, my car, Sailleeh.
FUTURE DREAM
I believe most of us are also dreaming of having a very successful life in the future. As Alisah Bonaobra behind the camera; having my own townhouses with my family, finishing studies with my siblings, building my own animal sanctuary and veterinary clinics in the Philippines, traveling the world with my family, etc. As an artist, sold-out albums, shows, and concerts, achieve being a total performer, traveling the world to promote my songs/albums, giving more pride to RJA Productions LLC who chose me to be part of their management company.
YOUR ADVICE TO ASPIRING SINGERS WHO ALSO LIKE TO JOIN SINGING COMPETITIONS?
First, you need to make sure that you’re ready to lose. I’m not saying that you will lose, but for you to avoid thinking that joining a competition is only about winning. You should learn to accept good criticism also for you to improve. Second, prepare yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically. Third, never think only for yourself when joining a competition, you should also learn to appreciate even the smallest things that you get during the process. Last but definitely not the least, offer everything to God.
