Klarisse: Love can wait

MANILA, Philippines — “Have you ever been heartbroken?”

That was the first question asked of Kapamilya talent Klarisse de Guzman after she delivered soulful renditions of three love ballads or hugot songs from her self-titled debut album at the media launch-cum-live recording session inside the ABS-CBN recording studio.

“Not yet,” Klarisse, 26, replied. “I’m actually an NBSB (No Boyfriend Since Birth). I haven’t been in a relationship (laughs). Wala pa po, e. Maybe because I haven’t met the right one for me yet, hehehe! I will just wait for the right time.”

After revealing that it was challenging to evoke the right emotions for the song, Klarisse still made it appear as if she has actually been through heartbreak.

“Naging challenge po sa akin to record the songs because I am inexperienced when it comes to (relationships). So, parang nilagay ko na lang po yung sarili ko sa songs. Ini-magine ko yung bawat lyrics para mas ma-feel po kasi hindi pa talaga ako nakaranas ng heartbreak,” she explained.

Even if loveless, Klarisse is still happy because she has a blooming career. After finishing second to Mitoy Yonting in The Voice Philippines Season 1 in 2013, Klarisse went on to become a regular performer in ASAP where she is able to showcase and develop her talent. Then the Birit Queens was formed as an ASAP segment where she completes the singing quartet of Jona, Angeline Quinto and Morissette Amon. The Birit Queens is put on hold due to ASAP’s regrouping system that occurs every two years.

“Well, normal naman po kasi sa ASAP yun na every one or two years we are regrouped or reshuffled. Abangan na lang po nila kung ano yung next na magiging bagong group. Kasi naka-two years na rin po kami as Birit Queens. As of now, we have no idea if Birit Queens will (continue) so we’ll just wait and see,” shared Klarisse, adding that she misses performing with them.

“Our friendship is intact. Nakaka-miss yung Birit Queens. Up to now, even if we’re not performing as Birit Queens, we still continue to see each other and we’re happy naman po.”

Now that Klarisse is on her own, does she enjoy going solo?

“Of course, it’s still different when you are a solo (artist) and that was always my goal — to be known as a solo performer. But if you’re in a group, wala din pong problema. Okey rin po siya talaga kasi iba din po yung hatak as a group. Isa po sa malaking nakatulong at malaking stepping stone sa career ko is that I’ve been part of the Birit Queens,” she shared.

Nevertheless, Klarisse is excited about what’s ahead of her especially now that she’s already part of the Star Music family. She was previously under contract with MCA Music, Inc., which mostly handles The Voice PH graduates. Apart from writing songs for her future albums, Klarisse is also willing to try her hand at acting. She already has plans to attend an acting workshop.

“For now, I’m thinking about taking an acting workshop kasi kahit papaano, as a singer, kelangan din po namin yung acting. The workshop would also help singers (better interpret the songs) kasi para naming inaarte yung bawat kinakanta namin sa stage. Soon, if given the chance to become a comedian, why not? I will grab it,” said Klarisse, who never fails to remind herself to be humble always and to never forget to look back to where she started. “Always be humble and don’t forget the people who helped you when you were just starting.”

The seven-track album, produced by Rox Santos under Star Music, features an all-love ballads in Tagalog namely, the album’s carrier single Wala Na Talaga (theme song of the Asianovela My Dearest Intruder); Sa Pangarap Na Lang which is currently creating buzz on air; Eto Na Naman Tayo; Mahal Mo Pa Ba Ako; Ikaw Ay Ako (a duet with Morissette); Sana’y Tumibok Muli (2016 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Song entry by Joel Mendoza); and her cover of Paalam Na (an original composition of Dingdong Avanzado).

(Klarisse is now out on the ABS-CBN store and Facebook @starmusicastoreph for P250, while tracks are also available for download in digital stores. For details, visit starmusic.ph.)