While it may appear to some people that Moira dela Torre’s success came overnight, her journey was anything but easy or instant.
“It was only in the past two, three years that my name started to become more familiar. But nothing was happening for me the years prior to that: I joined contests, (“The Voice PH”), had an album—but nothing… It was mostly rejection,” she told reporters at a press conference for “Braver,” her coming concert on Sept. 13 at the Araneta Coliseum.
And so, finding herself about to hold court in one of the country’s biggest and iconic venues is something she still couldn’t wrap her head around.
Moira dela Torre
“Like many artists, I aspired to perform at the Big Dome. It’s a dream. I thought it was impossible. But perhaps it was just a matter of believing that there’s something better for you,” said the 25-year-old musician who’s currently one of the most streamed Filipino artists on Spotify; thanks to her hit songs “Malaya” and “Tagpuan.”
“I feel grateful to everyone who listens to my songs, to those who became my friends because of my music,” she added. “These people are the reason I’m going to Araneta.”
Moira is known for her emotive lyrics and genteel singing that melds folk and pop—a type of sound that lends itself well at intimate settings. Does she think her music would translate well at a grander setting?
“I hadn’t really seen many artists of the same genre playing at Araneta. But when the likes of Ed Sheeran or Alessia Cara came out and started filling up stadiums, I felt empowered. I started thinking that, maybe it can be done,” said Moira, who had a successful two-night concert at the New Frontier Theater last year.
Moira described 2019 as one of her toughest years yet in her career and personal life: She was virtually on “house arrest” because of a botched nose procedure, and dared to venture out only to fulfill her judging duties for “Idol Philippines,” where she became a target of ridicule.
“There was a lot of transitions: Before, I was seen as underrated; now I’m overrated. No one used to know me, and now I’m being bashed. I didn’t know how to deal with it. Luckily, James (Reid, her fellow ‘Idol’ judge) taught me how to block these things off,” the singer-songwriter said.
“This is perhaps the craziest year I have had,” related Moira, who married musician Jason Hernandez this January. “It was supposed to be my honeymoon season, but it didn’t feel like it.”
But given everything she has been through recently, “Braver,” she pointed out, couldn’t be a more apt title for her concert. “I think what makes me braver is the fact that I’m still here doing [what I want to do], despite [the challenges],” she said.
Mounted by Cornerstone Concerts and directed by John Prats, “Braver” (call 9115555) will feature a roster of special guests, including Daniel Padilla, December Avenue, Ben&Ben and the Top 5 finalists of “Idol Philippines.”
True to form, Moira is set to deliver a repertoire packed with her signature “emo” or “hugot” songs.
But Moira wants to go beyond that.
“But more than being moving, I want the show to be empowering, motivating. There are a lot of people [experiencing] depression but aren’t aware that they already have it,” she said. “This is one of the things I want to address subtly through my music; that they’re not alone.”