Isha Ponti shows what she’s made of in debut album launch

MANILA, Philippines — Artist Isha Ponti marked two milestones in one show last weekend, June 20. She turned 20 and launched her debut album titled “Likas.” In the vernacular, the word refers to a person’s innate talent.

In the special showcase, Isha displayed to all and sundry her ability to sing and storytell in different acts such as “Longing” and “Illusion.”

The first segment was premised with this introduction from the singer-songwriter: “Sabi nila lahat tayo ay may hinahanap (They say that all of us are looking for something). Minsan tao. Minsan pangarap (sometimes it’s someone we wish to be with, or it’s a dream we aspire to).” And one couldn’t help but ask for a sign.

From there, Isha sang the song Darating from her 10-track album. The other ditties are Numero, Hinga, Kabanata, Halika, Gulong, Bakas, Mismo, Riversky and Warmth.

Then came the fruition of such aspiration, which signaled a significant phase in someone else’s personal life. With that, Isha performed Kabanata.

Isha and guest performer Kelvin Miranda make their own rendition of Mabagal.

Photo from the artist’s Facebook page and publicity team

“Minsan dumarating ang mga tao na hindi mo inaasahan (sometimes people come into our lives unexpectedly),” said she. “At bago mo mamalayan, unti-unti silang nagiging bahagi ng mga panalangin mo (and before you know it, they have gradually become part of your prayers).”

“Hindi naman natin hinahanap ang pag-ibig… pero dumarating lang siya, and dun tayo nadadala, dun tayo nag-sisimulang magtanong (We don’t look for love, but it comes along. And we are being brought to that point, and that’s where we start to ask),” added she.

However, the next question one had to answer was: “Siya na ba? (Is the person the one?),” as shared by Isha.

Also featured in the segment was the music video for Kabanata, starring Isha herself and its director Tyler Lopez as the leading man.

Aside from singing, performing and songwriting, she could also act and play the character smitten by someone and with the hopes for better days to come.

Isha recalled, “Ang sarap magmahal, noh? (It’s nice to be in love),” recalling her experience filming the music video and adding that a simple talk can make someone smile.

As suggested in Act 1 and Act 2 as “longing” and “illusion,” it’s inevitable for one to have fallen in love and face realities that come with it.

Isha also sang Warmth and Hinga, also from the album, and she shared that “when someone gives you warmth, you start hoping that this is forever. You start imagining that this is supposed to be true love.”

“May mga taong dumarating sa buhay natin na para iparamdam sa atin na hindi tayo nag-iisa (There’s someone who comes along to comfort and make us feel that we’re not alone),” added she, referring to people who become one’s source of respite, light and warmth.

Following the story that unfolded through songs that night, one could glean that Isha talked about falling in love and taking some time to reflect on romantic affairs. She also somehow touched on the key ideas behind the album, like “longing, illusion, kindness, acceptance and self-love.”

Aside from her songs, Isha also performed some covers like Raining in Manila by Lola Amour and Man I Need and Easy to Fall in Love of Olivia Dean.

Since the following day was Father’s Day, she sang Proud to Say, a composition she made at the age of 13. “Sa totoo lang, nung sinulat ko at ni-release ko po ‘to, hindi ko po alam kung saan ako dadalhin ng musika (Actually, when I wrote and released it, I had no idea where my love for music would take me). Hindi ko po alam na balang araw magkakaroon ako ng opportunity na tumayo ngayong gabi sa inyong lahat at kantahin ang (songs from my) album (I never thought I would have the chance to sing tunes from my album before you one day), pero siguro dito nga nagsimula ang lahat (but perhaps everything began with this song).”

So far, Isha has 29 songs under her belt and acknowledges the support from family, including her mom and dad, whom she considers her anchor.

Actor-singer Kelvin Miranda also graced the event as Isha’s special guest, and they did a duet. Their voices complemented and blended well in “Mabagal,” a song of Daniel Padilla and Moira dela Torre. Hopefully, Kelvin and Isha will collaborate either on an original song or a cover in the future.

Also showing their support to Isha were her family, friends, fans and Enderun College classmates. Isha is taking up a multimedia arts course.

In the end, Isha and her team kept their promise that the album launch (and birthday party) would be “an intimate and memorable evening filled with live performances, storytelling, and the heartfelt music that defines the ‘Likas’ experience,” as stated in a piece of information previously given to this paper.

With that, one can’t wait what’s going to be the next music project Isha will embark on.

Please follow Isha Ponti and Ponti Entertainment Production on their social media platforms.