Conquering America: Two Filipinos follow the music

This story is published in partnership with SoJannelleTV, a magazine show about Filipinos in North America

Music, like food, is high atop the list of cultural influences that shape the lives of Filipinos the world over. While most think of singing as being the primary outlet to a love for music, there are many different ways to express that passion.

While Marisa Pizarro has found her calling as senior vice president of A&R at Def Jam Records, Garth Garcia has become a popular vocalist back home in the Philippines. Both of them, who took different paths to get to where they are today, spoke with Filipino-American media pioneer Jannelle So-Perkins on the So Jannelle TV show.

Pizarro said that although she grew up loving music, with posters from different artists covering her bedroom walls as a child, she didn’t know that there were jobs in the industry. And following the lead of her parents, she found herself taking up a pre-med course at New York University. When that didn’t work out, she took an internship at the influential hip hop magazine, The Source.

She further narrated that it was another Filipino American, DJ Riddler, who first opened her eyes to a career in the industry. Riddler, as fate would have it, was one of her roommates in a loft apartment they shared, and was also working at Tommy Boy Records, which at the time was a major hip hop label.

“I think seeing somebody that was like us in a record label office, it was like, ‘Oh my God, this is an actual job. I want one of these,’” Pizarro said. “I think that was the start of where I got the bug.”

That epiphany took a bit longer to stick with Pizarro’s family, however. Although her father was a big fan of the Beatles, and her mother was always listening to R&B, it was still an adjustment for someone to enter the music industry coming from a family of doctors and nurses.

The compromise? Pizarro said she went to Brooklyn Law School with the goal of becoming a lawyer in the music industry. She went on to work for ten years as a lawyer at Sony Records before meeting LA Reid, the famous music executive, who opened her up to the idea of doing more than just handling legal matters in the industry.

“He allowed me to be really creative and think outside of just being a lawyer. And he let me bring in talent, he was open to ideas,” Pizarro said, adding it was from there that she shifted from being a lawyer to an A&R.

“There are perks to her job, but the work itself is the reward,” Pizarro said. “I love going to shows. But I think the thing I love the most is definitely discovering new talent and just changing people’s lives through music.”

Now living in Los Angeles, Pizarro said she has always viewed “everything in my life through a Filipino lens.” That extends to her work in the music industry, where she has kept her finger on the pulse of the burgeoning Filipino-American music scene.

Asked by So-Perkins about Olivia Rodrigo, the former Disney actress turned pop star, Pizarro said she’s “excited for her” and that she “hope she really goes the distance.”

“I hope she embraces her Filipino-ness. She has a huge platform, I hope she uses it,” said Pizarro who shared that her prototype for advancing Filipino awareness in music would be Ruby Ibarra, whom she describes as a “queen.” Pizarro teared up as she described the pride the socially conscious rapper brings to her. “Her commitment to the community is unparalleled. She’s everything,” Pizarro said.

Pizarro went on to credit apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas with opening the doors for Filipino-American artists, like Bruno Mars, to embrace their roots: “That song ‘Bebot’ was a theme song for so many of us to this day. There’s a major record label that has a song that speaks to just us? How is that possible?”

Pizarro cited K-pop, and how the genre has found wide appeal without having to pander to international audiences, as an example of how Filipino artists can reach wide audiences while remaining authentic.

“I don’t think we need to cross over or worry about what everyone else is doing. They’ll come to us,” says Pizarro.

For Garcia, his journey of discovery took him from his native Philippines to the United States. The Davao native, who recently released a remake of “Do You Miss Me” by Jocelyn Enriquez, relocated to America once his immigration papers had processed. 

He opened up and shared his immigrant story in the So True segment of the latter’s weekly show. 

Despite reaping awards as a singer/performer at the annual World Championships of the Performing Arts (WCOPA) he said that his previous success in America didn’t mean he was exempt from sacrifices when he arrived. He said he had to work several jobs to support himself, including selling popcorn at stadium, caregiving, dog walking and working as a barista.

“Coming here, I felt like I’m back to zero. I don’t know anyone, I don’t have gigs, I don’t have shows. That was the first challenge,” says the Los Angeles-based Garcia, adding that what kept him going was connecting with people in his industry, who eventually helped him book shows and connect with the Filipino community in the United States. 

Garth said he is pleased that hard work has paid off as he recently graduated from Harvard Business School and launched Doctors on the Go, a company that sends medical professionals to treat patients in their own homes. 

While making the move from singing to entrepreneurship can seem scary, Garcia says that’s the entire point.

“Do not be afraid, seek better opportunities,” said Garcia, when asked by So-Perkins for his advice to others facing a big transition.

“Pursue what you really like the most and you think you would excel,” he said, adding “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the right people.” – Jannelle So Productions | Rappler.com

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