Ramona is ready to be heard

Don’t call her Andrea. Or Blythe. She’s Ramona and she’s not here to play nice.

Or, at least, music wise. Because going by her debut single GAGA, Ramona the singer-songwriter is “louder, messier and more defiant.” And we’re expecting it to set the tone for her upcoming singles.

Released under Sony Music Entertainment, the track produced by Tim and Sam Marquez of One Click Straight takes aim at gossip culture, fake news and how public opinion can easily turn into a trial by social media.

Built on grungy guitars, chant-like hooks and a punk-pop attitude, GAGA doesn’t attempt to sound polished or perfect, which was the point, according to Ramona.

“I think I just miss messy songs. That’s what I used to listen to. I miss the humor. I miss something a little chaotic, a little loud,” the 23-year-old told The STAR during a chat at Sony Philippines’ headquarters in Ortigas.

“It’s not perfect and it’s not for everyone. Because if you’re perfect, you’re for everyone. I’ve accepted that this genre is not for everybody. Not everyone will relate to it. Not everyone will like it. That’s why it doesn’t try to be perfect for everyone.”

GAGA’s music video follows a satirical courtroom concept, with actor Pepe Herrera playing a security guard falsely accused of stealing from a powerful figure, while Ramona appears as his defense lawyer.

Interestingly, she wrote GAGA five years ago, at 18, and pitched it to several music labels, but the song didn’t fit what people expected from her then. Then Radical and Sony Philippines entered the picture, ready to take her in as Ramona.

Contrary to what you may think, Ramona is not a freshly invented persona. It’s her actual birth name. Now, she’s publicly using it to welcome this music chapter, not as an extension of her showbiz fame, but another form of self-expression that can stand on its own merits.

Below are more excerpts from The STAR’s exclusive Q&A with Ramona:

When did you first create the Ramona persona?

“Well, I don’t really count it as parang persona siya or alter-ego because it’s actually my registered name. Ito talaga ako. But I think it started — it wasn’t really intentional — (as) an inside joke between me and my friends.

“Every time siguro na tumatapang ako, o medyo nag-a-attitude ako or kapag nasa labas kami, nasa party, nakainom, tapos medyo nagiging super confident ako, ang lakas ng loob ko, sinasabi nila, ‘Uy, Ramona.’ So yung friends ko yung tumatawag sa akin sa first name ko kapag nakikita nila yung side ko na yun.”

So Ramona is really your first name?

“Yes. Madaming lore sa names ko. I have a lot of names. Daming lore sa Ramona. Maybe in time, ikukuwento ko din. Medyo complicated yung name ko na Ramona. Never ko siyang nagamit (until now) because all this time, it never really felt like it was me. Hanggang sa paglaki ko na parang, ‘Oo nga, oo na nga.’ Next time na lang yung kuwento ng origin ng name ko.”

How does being Ramona influence your music and songwriting?

“Hindi naman parang na-influence ako ni Ramona sa music ko kasi ito talaga yung music taste ko. Mahilig talaga ako sa ganito.

“Lumaki ako sa parents ko na pareho silang may pagka-rakista. My father was even part of a band. Yun yung medyo kinalakihan kong music (rock).”

What made you write a song about gossip and fake news for your debut as Ramona?

“Hindi ko naman talaga ginusto. Nasa work ako nun, tapos nakikinig ako sa radio, Radio Ga Ga by Queen. Tapos nagbabasa ako ng comments kasi wala akong magawa. Since fresh pa yung recall na ‘Radio Ga Ga,’ nakagawa lang ako ng chorus. Sabi ko, ‘Uy, ayos ’to ah.’ Tapos tinuloy ko na lang siya.

“Inspiration ko yung mga sinasabi nila sa akin (rumors at that time). Yun mismo choruses ko — three choruses, iba’t iba — lahat yun, siniksik ko lang yung comments.

“Habang nagbabasa (ng comments), nilagay-lagay ko lang siya sa notes ko hanggang sa nakagawa ako ng kanta.”

How did it feel after writing the song?

“Na-excite ako kasi never naman talaga akong nagkaroon ng sagot sa lahat ng mga binato sa akin. I never answered directly. So ito na yung pinaka, I think, ‘sagot’ in a way.

“But even that isn’t direct yet kasi mas tinanggap ko na lang na, ‘Okay, fine. Ito sinasabi niyo? Okay, eto na nga yun.’ “Nakakagaan yun. Pero kasi nung sinulat ko po siya, (I was) 18, 19 — five years na ’to — wala masyadong effect. Stock siya for years before it was released. Ngayon lang ako nakaramdam na, ‘Oh, it’s out.’”

Why did it take five years before you released it?

“Sinulat ko ’to sa isang issue sa akin before. After a few months, there was a new issue. Then after a few months, the next year, there was another issue. So parang hindi ko siya masisiksik na, ‘Oh my God, kapag nilabas ko ’to, iisipin nila para dito, tapos para dito.’

“So kailan ko kaya ’to mailalabas natitingnan lang siya bilang isang kanta? Then five years passed. Si Mama, kulit nang kulit sa akin, ‘Babe, labas mo na yung music mo.’ Tapos ako din, sabi ko, tumatanda na ako. Hindi na din bagay sa akin. For example, 26 na ako, tapos stuck pa rin ako sa binabasa ko nung 18 ako. So nilabas ko na siya kahit wala sa timing.

“I’ve written quite a lot. It was during pandemic time when I learned how to write. So you can imagine, I really did have a lot of time na I was alone in my room, on my computer… So I’ve probably written about 20.”

Would you say you are self-taught as a musician?

“Yes po… I’m passionate about music. Gusto ko talagang maging singer, but I wasn’t blessed with a Beyoncé voice or the usual voice of Filipinos who are belters.

“Pero may napanood ako. One of my biggest inspirations is Olivia Rodrigo. She said, just try. You just have to try, you just have to start somewhere. Tinesting ko lang.

“Akala ko talaga all this time, parang habang naglalakad ka lang sa grocery, biglang may magpa-pop na idea sa’yo na kanta. Akala ko ganun siya. Pero kailangan mo din magsimula. Tinry ko lang simulan.”

How hands-on were you in shaping the sound of GAGA?

“Since I didn’t know how to play instruments, yung mga bandmates ko, talagang inuupuan namin. Nandun ako kasi kailangan minsan, hindi ko siya kayang matunog. Ina-act out ko siya, tapos sila na yung nakaka-get. Sila na yung nakaka-pick up. Very hands-on ako in a way na lahat nandito, sinasabi ko lang. I’m so grateful to my team (Radical) kasi nalalabas nila talaga yung nasa vision ko.”

What was the idea behind the music video’s courtroom concept?

“When I was making GAGA, yung mga binabato sa akin, parang, ‘Oh my God, wala namang proof! Saan nanggagaling ’to lahat?’ I felt like I was being judged in a courtroom. That was the inspiration behind it.

“And the message I just want to send is to be careful with the tsismis that you’re spreading because it can destroy a life. It can actually end someone’s life as well. So just be careful. Words are very harmful if hindi sila nagagamit nang tama.

“Another inspiration is how our justice system can be unfair. There are so many things happening lately. It wasn’t supposed to be that dark actually, pero ni-relate ko lang daw sa lahat ng nangyayari sa atin ngayon.

“Kaya po sabi ko, ‘Oh my God, bagay yung concept ko from years ago hanggang ngayon,’ which is nakaka-sad kasi parang bagay pa rin siya. Dapat hindi.”

So, now, how does it feel to finally pursue music on your own terms?

“Actually, I’m scared. But I’m happy. I’m excited. But this is just the start. Lalo na ngayon na hindi pa naman ako nakakapagsimula ng gigs, there’s more fear and pressure because it’s been years for me.

“Sa inyo lahat, fresh ’to. But for me, years na siyang naka-cage lang na idea, dream, fantasy in my mind. Natatakot ako na, ‘Oh my gosh, what if mas maganda pala kung fantasy na lang? What if hindi ko naman pala talaga kaya?’

“But for what it’s worth, I’m happy to have started this and was given the chance to do so by Sony, Radical, everyone who has trusted me and has been listening to me.”

What can people expect from you next?

“I don’t want to rush things… I want to be fair po and ayoko ko talaga din gamitin yung popularity that I have in my music kasi gusto ko mas tingnan siya as yun lang talaga — kanta siya. Kung gusto mo siya, gusto mo. Kung ayaw mo, huwag mo pakinggan.

“I’m just here to have fun, to inspire at pagalitin pa lahat ng ibang tao, gisingin yung angst na meron sila, and maki-jam with me.”

GAGA is available on audiostreaming platforms. Check out Ramona’s Instagram (@sabingakosiramona) for updates.