On February 22, singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis revealed the secret to her 25-year longevity in the music industry.
At the media conference for her 25th-anniversary concert and Tower Sessions Live album release, Almalbis attributed her success to those she worked with throughout her music career.
“Honestly, I really couldn’t have done it without [an amazing] team with me, like the musicians that I [get to] play with, and write music with, and produce music with, parang they also keep me growing as an artist.
“So parang hindi pare-pareho, but I’m always thankful for learning from them. And also ‘yung team, you know, ‘yung manager namin and [also] the people we work with, a great label like Sony Music na nandoon pa rin ‘yung support.”
She also highlighted that the people she collaborated with inspired her as a music artist.
“So ‘yun nga, you =have to keep on growing, and at the same time, I know I can’t do it by myself, so I’m really grateful that I have great relationships with collaborators and people who inspire me that I have honor of working [with.]”
She noted that she didn’t think of music as a career when she was younger.
“Sa totoo lang that’s just the kind of person that I am hindi ako masyadong nagpa-plan ng future. Hindi ko masyado–it might also have been kasi when I grew up in Roxas City– you know, I was born into a family of musicians.
“Noong time na ‘yun, wala talagang music scene sa amin, walang music industry sa Roxas City, so hindi ko siya masyadong iniisip na pwede siyang maging you know, work. Kasi everybody around me when they grow up nasa office na sila.”
She also attested that all she had when she started was her love for music.
“So that’s why everything that happened to me, musically speaking, like being here, like you know, having–25 years later, having all these songs, it’s surprising to me. Na hindi ko talaga plinan. All I knew was I love music and I played guitar everyday since I was eleven years old, nagsusulat ako, so hindi ko siya plinano na magiging ganito or ganyan.”
As for her concert event, Almalbis reunites with Hungry Young Poets and Barbie’s Cradle, which include her former bandmates Ricci Gurango, Franklin Benitez, Rommel de la Cruz, Wendell Garcia, and Kakoy Legaspi.
The music event also features performances from Sandwich, Gab Alipe of Urbandub, Clara Benin, I Belong To The Zoo, Kai del Rio, and Bird.
GNN Entertainment Productions, in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, Backspacer Records, JB Music, Nova Wellness Store, and 123 Block, present the ‘Firewoman: 25 Years of Barbie Almalbis’ on March 11 at 123 Block in Mandala Park.