On February 22, singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis highlighted the value of supporting each other as Filipino musicians.
At the media conference for her 25th-anniversary concert and Tower Sessions Live album release, Almalbis noted that supporting fellow music artists would help lift the entire Philippine music industry.
“One last thing, maybe you can [make an effort] to encourage other musicians. Especially dito sa atin sa Philippines, I always [really] say na when the tide rises, it lifts all the boats. So for me–I’m so grateful for the friends, ‘yung even in the industry, they really [go out of their way to] support each other.”
She also pointed out that Filipinos should break the mold of having music artists compete with each other.
“Minsan kasi, nakikita mo sa mga awards night, mga ganon, parang feeling pinag-co-compete kayo, parang lahat naman kami parang, when we decided to be a musician, hindi naman ‘yun dahil gusto namin manalo ng contest di ba? Parang gusto lang namin talaga na tumugtog. Pero hindi mawawala ‘yun na pinag-cocompete kayo.
“So we really have to get out of that mold, break that mindset, and really get out of your way and support each other kasi, sa totoo lang we need it, we really need the support, we need the encouragement. Sometimes we have down days, and when somebody’s telling you [that,] ‘Hey, your song really helped.’ That makes a big difference.”
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, presents the ‘Firewoman: 25 Years of Barbie Almalbis’ on March 11 at 123 Block in Mandala Park.
