Morissette: I learned to fight for what I love and believe

CEBU, Philippines —  After going through a massive 2019, Cebuana singing sensation Morissette Amon is ready to take on 2020 with brand new wings.

“Oh what a crazy year you’ve been, 2019,” the singer wrote in an Instagram post. “Despite all the setbacks and challenges, you still have been a good one. I truly learned to be stronger and to rise again like a phoenix, and have found a lot more reasons to smile about and make the most of this beautiful fierce life. I am especially grateful for this whole past decade, all the lessons I’ve experienced and the blessings I got to enjoy. As I am also on my #roadto10years in the industry, I can say that I am living my best life and I know there’s still so much to look forward to!”

The past year has been among her most eventful one yet. Not everyone can say they were able to perform all-year round and rub elbows with Hollywood and Disney pillars Will Smith and Alan Menken. In an interview with The FREEMAN, the 23-year-old looked back on the year that shaped her into the woman she is today.

“Daghan nahitabo, personally and professionally,” said Morissette, who was in Cebu to promote her February 1 concert, “In The Key of Love,” at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. “I think 2019, many surprises and doors opened for me.”

From frequenting local singing competitions in Cebu, to finishing as runner-up in national contests, the Minglanilla native is now known as Asia’s Phoenix. Morissette dubs 2019 as a year of growing and learning, and considers her moment with Smith and Menken as one of the biggest highlights, apart from singing for Disney’s “Aladdin” remake which earned her more YouTube and online hits than ever.

With a year that saw her name hit the headlines due to a rift with her father allegedly because of her boyfriend and walking out of a scheduled concert performance after a media interview upset her, Morissette took some down time for the holidays. She finds it difficult to stop singing altogether because she might as well hold her breath. But rest is very important, and with such busy schedules, she says the most she could ask for is a couple of weeks’ worth of rest.

Morissette admits that she’s not a fan of listing New Year’s resolutions, saying that if one wants change then they should do something about it now.

“In 2019, I learned to fight for the things I love and believe. Before, I was given that freedom, in 2019, I learned to trust myself. It’s more on self-growth. In 2020, hopefully it’s more on building that and using that as a stepping stone to get ready for another amazing year,” she said.

“God placed me in so many situations in 2019 nga dili ko ready pero through it all wala ko niya gipabayaan. He was there, and everything happened for a reason.”