Joice Espinoza, an Aliw Awards nominee, is pleased with the direction of her career thus far, particularly the freedom to choose songs that best suit her voice.
“It’s great to have a team that completely supports me and my work as an artist. I can’t express how fortunate I am to have both parents and a manager who are always looking for me. They often remind me that there is no need to rush things as long as you are passionate and do it correctly,” she said.
“And that is quite useful, especially in an era where everything on social media appears to be perfect. It sometimes gets to my head, but I know I belong in the music industry,” added the singer from Olongapo City.
Her song “Pangako Mo,” written by John Rey Malto, was a hit on TikTok and YouTube last year and is still being played on radio stations today.
“Perhaps the song’s message is what made it a hit. If you haven’t heard it yet, the song is about the beauty of promises maintained by people who made them—making you feel loved, cared for, and, most importantly, making your trust worthwhile. It is about romanticizing what love offers and teaches, as well as the emotions it can evoke,” Espinoza shared.
Following the release of her successful song, Espinoza is currently working on new music that will showcase her sweet and angelic voice once more.
“I’ve prepared some lyrics for various songs, but nothing is completed yet. Making music is an art that requires time, dedication, and creativity. I do not want to only release music. This time, I want to make music that is deeply personal. I want my music to reflect who I am today, as an 18-year-old girl with big goals,” she said.
She went on to praise her idol, Lea Salonga, adding, “I want people to connect with me as an artist through my music. Ms. Lea Salonga is such an inspiration to me. I love how she narrates the story of the song. She isn’t singing; she’s telling a story. I want to be that vulnerable when it comes to singing. I am in love with her. I want to be able to collaborate with her.”
Last month, the singer-actress celebrated her 18th birthday surrounded by family and friends. According to her, being an 18-year-old girl today is both exciting and stressful.
Why stressful? She replied, “You now have a huge duty to carry yourself and conduct well so that people are not disappointed with you. But it’s not really a big problem that I’m constantly thinking about. I’m just appreciating each moment and opportunity that comes my way.”
“I don’t let pressure deplete my energy. What we should do is direct our energy into things that give us joy, which in my case include singing, performing, and acting,” the Aliw Awards nominee opened up.
Espinoza, who competed in ABS-CBN’s It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan Season 7 in 2023 and Princess of the World in Pomorie, Bulgaria, discussed the connection she feels while performing for an audience.
“The satisfaction I get from performing is completely rewarding. Seeing others enjoy themselves while watching me perform makes me happy. I appreciate making people feel like they can relate to someone. Having a mutual connection with someone helps others deal more efficiently and teaches us to be truly grateful,” she expressed.
Espinoza is managed by John Rey Malto. Espinoza won the voice and modeling categories at the Princess of the World competition in Pomorie, Bulgaria, when she was ten years old. Her excellent performance during the talent portion drew a standing ovation from both the judges and the audience.
She received a nomination for Best New Female Artist at the 37th Aliw Awards. Her original song won both the Parai Musical International Awards in Chennai, India, and the Global Music Awards 2024 in California. The music video for her song was also recognized at the World Music and Independent Film Festival in Virginia, United States, as well as the 2024 Europe Music Video Awards.
