Like mother, like daughter

She's only 10 years old, but Shaira Angelica Calina, affectionately called Aira, already has the makings of a star. And like her famous mom, Angela Calina, she's got what it takes to capture the limelight with her talent and charm.

Aira is an incoming grade five pupil at Harvest Christian School, where she's a constant achiever in both extra curricular activities and the academics. She may seem like any girl her age, but mind you this little angel is loaded with talents and wits. She has a melodic voice like her mom-deep and pleasing to the ear. Even with no proper training, she can already interpret songs like a pro. Not only that, she composes her own songs. But what's more amazing is that her compositions contain lyrics full of human emotions and are wise beyond her years. Constant exposure to her mom's love for music has taught the quick learner Aira to play musical instruments too, such as keyboards, piano and drums, by ear. On top of it all, she writes short stories too, with the aid of her mom.

Aira's number one fan is also her number one idol, who is none other than her beloved mom, Angela Calina. She acknowledges that her achievements so far were all influenced by her mom, and that she inherited her talents from her. There's no question that Aira looks up to her and wants to become like her someday.

Likewise, Angela shared that she's very proud of her daughter, who's slowly dipping a hand in showbiz. According to her, she is so supportive of her daughter that sometimes other people would tag her as a stage mother. She might be aggressive in pushing her daughter to develop her talents, but she makes it a point to impart with her daughter lessons learned from having spent more than a decade in the entertainment industry so that Aira may avoid mistakes she might have done before. "I tell her to do her best that she can be and tell her na sakto or nindot na siya based on what I've known," says Angela.

Angela, however, stresses that school remains top priority, adding that her daughter has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. A proof of this is Aira's love of books; her favorite are the thick Harry Potter series, which are gifts from Angela.

Every time they watch a movie or a show on TV, Angela and Aira would discuss the merits of what they just saw like two adults. Both of them actually learn form each other, a fact Angela regards as one rewarding aspect of motherhood. Angela says, "As a mom, I learn from her (Aira), she's very well-read ug daghan siya nahibaw-an nga wa ko nakahibao."

Aira not only got her charms and charisma from her mom Angela but she also developed certain characteristics so like her mom. Angela shares, "Perky kaayo na siya, murag ako bubbly." Though a bit shy, Aira can easily strike friendships with people even those whom she just met. Her sensitive nature enables her to relate to all sorts of people. And like her mom, Aira is very opinionated too, but tries to speak her mind out without offending anybody.

Aira has a lot of dreams yet to be fulfilled, foremost of which is to become a famous singer and international pianist someday. And when she grows older, she'd like to follow her mom's footsteps by taking a shot at hosting and acting. There's no other person more proud of Angela's achievements than her daughter. According to Aira, "Suporta ko niya (Angela) kay suportado man pud siya nako."

When asked what kind of mom Angela is, Aira enthuses, "She's the best mom in the whole wide world because love kaayo ko niya and she's always there to take care of me." And her post-Mother's Day message to her mom? "I love you so much and thank you for taking care of me."

She adds that if ever her mom wants to marry one of these days, she is very open to the idea of having another sibling, because wherever her mom is happy, she will undoubtedly be, too.

Offers to pursue showbiz have already come aplenty for Aira, and small wonder really, if she can find her place in the spotlight in no time!