Alisah Bonaobra reveals her singer-songwriter side in Walang Iwanan

Being a singer-songwriter is the creative side Alisah Bonaobra reveals in her latest release. That’s why the recording of Walang Iwanan, a follow-up to her revival of the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) classic Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin, is extra special to her. The RJA Productions artist has added another musical pursuit to her name. Perhaps, she will explore it more in future singles.

“Walang Iwanan is my very first own composition,” said Alisah as a jumping-off point for the recent brief virtual interview with The STAR. “I also did the back-up vocals and I’m very excited that it will be heard worldwide.”

Available on streaming platforms like Spotify, the inspiration to write the song came at dawn of Dec. 27, 2020, shared the singer. Since the pandemic caught the world by surprise, people couldn’t help but deal with the feeling of uncertainty and contemplate on what tomorrow might bring.

“I couldn’t sleep at that time,” added she, “I was imagining myself (as the song’s perspective) talking to myself (saying), ‘Ito umaga na naman, panibagong araw na naman (The morning is breaking and it means a new day ahead). I was (telling) myself not to be afraid.”

Through Walang Iwanan, Alisah puts across to listeners and assures them, “they are never alone. We are never alone because first there’s God,” said she, “who will always guide us.”

As for her songwriting process, she shared that “Mahilig akong mag-compose na may lyrics na and (I sing to the) melody para magkaroon ako ng idea about the flow and the beat of the song (I would compose the lyrics and the melody at the same time, so I could see how its flow and beat take shape). The original tempo is ballad.” It’s not surprising because it’s the genre she is identified with. Her recollections also revealed that the lockdowns gave Alisah the space to see the completion of her composition. Besides, she had ample time on her hands.

“Sobrang nakakatuwa kasi I never imagined to have reached this point,” said Alisah, describing the Walang Iwanan sound “like the Ariana Grande vibes, ginawa na rin (itong) danceable, na upbeat song.” After working with her fellow creatives such as the arranger and vocal coach, the final product is a lively ditty.

“The raw recording is still in my cellphone,” said she, who used the gadget’s voice recorder feature. “I’m thankful to God. I feel He gave me the melody kasi bigla na lang (itong) pumasok sa isip ko na, ‘Oo, nga no, bakit hindi (ko) gawin yung ganitong klaseng melody.’” As one may put it, Alisah embraced and hummed the gift to relish and remember it.

“I really had fun recording (the song),” recalled she, “since I really wanted some upbeat songs (to do) under RJA Productions because my previous releases are more of a ballad.”

The pieces of information given to this paper show that her management RJA Productions, LLC, led by Rosabella Arribas, encourages the singer to venture out into songwriting. According to Alisah, manager Rosabella brought up the idea of composing songs in one of their virtual meetings and the singer shared that she just finished one. Rosabella gave it a listen, liked what she heard and as you and I know, supported it.

During the chat via Zoom, Alisah said that the music video of Walang Iwanan will be released on July 15 and she will headline a concert in the US come November. It’s safe to say that her latest song, maybe along with her other tunes like Faithful, Ginto Ang Sandali, Gintong Tinig, Do You Have Miracle for Me and Muli’t Muli, will be a part of the show’s repertoire.

For details on the artist, visit her social media channels and https://www.facebook.com/rjaproductions/.