Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo on the value of being ‘makulit’

Alexa Villano

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Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo on the value of being ‘makulit’
Lessons on confidence, persistence, and balance from music superstars Sarah G and Bamboo

MANILA, Philippines – Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo are musically very different, but are both major stars with devoted fan bases. She started her career in a reality show, while he got his start as lead vocalist for two bands – Rivermaya and Bamboo.

Rappler caught with the two singers on separate events, and they shared their thoughts about rejections, struggles and change – practical advice that works for anyone just starting to find his place in the world. 

Sarah Geronimo: Know your strengths

File photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler

A more mature Sarah faced the media when she was launched as the new endorser of JAG Jeans. Smiling for the cameras, her inner glow was definitely obvious. (READ: Sarah Geronimo on Matteo Guidicelli: ‘Sana siya na ang huli’)

For Sarah, confidence is a state of mind, though one should acknowledge one’s flaws.

Yung confidence kasi kailangan mo i-imbibe. Kailangan mo siya ilagay sa utak mo, sa puso mo. Hindi mo sasabihin na ay ang ganda ganda mo, sobra talino… Hindi ganun.  It’s acceptance. Accepting who you are – all flaws, all the imperfections.  (You have to imbibe confidence. You have to put it in your head, your heart. It’s not saying ‘I am so beautiful, I am so smart’… it’s not like that.) 

“Importante na alam mo yung strengths mo, ano yung edge mo, kung ano meron ka na walang iba. What they see in you that is special,” Sarah said. (What’s important is you know your strengths, your edge, what you have that other do not.)

Before she became the Pop Princess that she is now, Sarah also had her share of rejections. 

Yung Star for a Night ilan akong ulit na nag-audition for that eh. Three times. Tapos nung bata ako, sumali din ako sa mga kiddie shows,” she shared.

But Sarah was determined to conquer her dream and never gave up, becoming the winner of the show. Since thenm albums, movies, concerts and even endorsements came rolling along. She is currently finishing a movie with Piolo Pascual entitled The Breakup Playlist.

What does she think one needs to succeed in the business?

“Siguro perseverance. Persist. Yung makulit tayo kasi iyon yung passion natin na hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin nakukuha. Pero alam mo din ang limitations mo. Syempre hindi naman yung may evil plans ka na para lang makuha kung ano yung gusto mo. Dapat pinagpapapguran ng malinis,” she said.

(I guess perseverance. Persist. You have to be persistent because that’s our passion and we will not stop until we get it. But you must also know your limitations. Of course don’t come to the point where you have evil plans just to get what you want. You have to work hard for it the right way.)

Despite her busy schedule, Sarah is determined to go back to school and hopes to get a degree. 

Alam naman po ‘yan ng VIVA at parents ko at gustong gusto nila ‘yan gawin para sa akin,”  Sarah said. (VIVA and my parents know I really want to do that [going back to school] for myself.) 

Pero baka next year po kasi ngayon punong-puno na (ang schedule). (But it might be next year since my schedule is really full.)

Kasi nandito naman po ako sa linya ng pagiging singer, gusto ko po sana ay ‘yung mas makakatulong pa lalo sa akin,” she added. 

(We are in this profession as a singer, and I am hoping this will help me.)

WINNER. Sarah at the 2015 Myx Music Awards. File photo by Inoue Jaena/Rappler

Sarah also said that she wants to give back to the people who supported her from the start. 

Madami pa po akong gustong matututunan, gustong ibalik sa kung ano ang naibigay sa akin ng mga sumusuporta sa akin. Kasi I feel na sobrang kulang ‘yung naibibigay ko sa kanila. Sobra-sobra ang suporta nila,” she said.

(I still want to learn, I want to give back what was given especially those who supported me from the start. I feel I gave them so much. They gave me so much support.) 

“As a performer, as an artist, I feel responsible na may kailangan pa akong gawin and para sa OPM. Kasi part na tayo ng OPM, ng Philippine music industry, so talagang may obligasyon na tayo.

(As a performer, as an artist, I feel responsible that I need to do something for OPM (Original Pilipino Music). We are part of OPM, of the Philippine music industry, so we have an obligation.)

Bamboo: Don’t be afraid 

File photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler

Looking at Bamboo, one might be intimidated by his presence. He admits to being selective with his projects and endorsements, the latest being his role as the ambassador of Axe Black deodorant.

The music scene can be tough, and Bamboo said the struggles he went though helped him separate the personal and the public side of him.

“It’s about balance of work and life. The real world and this world. I really make a conscious effort in separating both, that they are two separate things. I think I got a B+ for that. 

“The one thing I like about the past how many years, I’ve never been afraid to figure whether I fail or falter whatever.… It’s a mixed of, you want to be perfectionist but you want to get on the edge of that cliff and be ready to fall, and that’s something I’m looking forward to. 

  “If you immediately put up walls, you just make your job a thousand times harder.” 

  – Bamboo  

Along one’s career, says Bamboo, it’s important not to box yourself in. 

“Based on the artists who came up to me, some of them sa umpisa pa lang (from the start) when they talk about songwriting, [they say], ‘I don’t fit what’s out there. I can’t write a pop song or I can’t write this.’ But I think if you immediately put up walls, you just make your job a thousand times harder.  

“You don’t want to hear another jukebox song. Things that make sort of a niche stand out stories or songs that are personal right? Music if you ask me is something different… So for me now it’s about the narrative, to make things personal, to have a personal narrative of view of how you see things interesting. that what’s I want to hear. I want to see how you see the world. I want to hear that in a song,” Bamboo said.

If there is any advice he can give to aspiring musicians, Bamboo said they should be ready for the journey ahead of them.

“It takes commitment. It’s a tough gig. You have to define your own personally, [the] definition of success. Like what makes you a success? Is it like selling a million albums? Is it doing that or having a great album? Writing something special or part of that, or who respects you as musician.” 

MENTOR. Bamboo with his 'Voice PH' bet Rence Rapanot at the show's season 2 finale. File photo by Manman Dejeto/Rappler

Although he is considered by many to be a music icon, Bamboo believes he’s nowhere near done. 

“[I don’t know] it has been quite a ride. I definitely have changed from the very beginning. It’s pretty interesting for me. I still think I’m at the starting line. I’m still trying to get somewhere, to get better, try to understand what I do a little more but not to be formulate. I just want to grow,” he said. – Rappler.com

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Alexa Villano

Alexa is one of Rappler's Lifestyle and Entertainment reporters, covering local entertainment news to a wide range of topics from beauty pageants to reality shows.