Cha-cha Cañete
“If you are feeling stressed or anxious because of the situation you are in at home as a result of the lockdown, it’s important that you talk to someone about it,” advised singer-actress and “Goin’ Bulilit” alumna Cha-cha Cañete.
During a recent virtual media chat to launch her new single “Pasko Pa Rin,” Inquirer Entertainment asked Cha-cha to give advice to teenagers like her on how to best cope with being forced to stay at home.
“I suggest that they talk with someone they trust, preferably a family member,” said the 16-year-old. “The problem with people my age these days is that they feel they don’t have anyone to talk to. Also, if they’re not comfortable enough to open up to a family member, then they should talk to a close friend, just so they won’t feel they’re alone.”
Cha-cha added: “When it comes to staying at home, it’s important that they follow, as well as understand that we’re doing this to stay healthy and safe from the virus. The sooner we stop the virus from spreading, the better because then, we would all be able to go out.”
Cha-cha, Trisha Luise Cañete in real life, was first discovered by filmmaker Erik Matti at a coffee shop inside the ABS-CBN compound when she was 4. When Cha-cha turned 7, she released her first single, “Bakit O Bakit,” the carrier single of her debut album “Bulilit Rockstar.”
At age 8, she represented the country in the ChildAid Asia Malaysia concert, an event that aimed to help underprivileged children across Asia. A year later, she bagged two silver medals at the World Championship of Performing Arts in Hollywood, California. The following year, Cha-cha won second place at the Euro Pop Contest in Berlin, Germany.
Now 16, Cha-cha said she was well aware of how badly the pandemic has affected music and live events all over the world. “We can’t anymore perform publicly like we used to. It has also become harder to physically promote our songs,” Cha-cha pointed out. “We can only promote online, but this has limited reach because not everyone our age has internet access.”
“Pasko Pa Rin” single cover
Despite this, Chacha is still convinced that now is the right time to launch “Pasko Pa Rin.” The song, penned by multiawarded composer Jungee Marcelo, is upbeat, danceable, yet sentimental.
“Just because our ability to reach people has now become limited doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. While it would be better if more people could listen to it, I’ll take what I can get,” Cha-cha pointed out. “My goal is to send an uplifting message to people. Even though we’re having a hard time because of the pandemic, it’s important for us to still stay positive.”
Cha-cha said she also hoped that the song and its music video (directed by Tofie Runas of Batcave Prod) would be able to bring joy to those who will listen, “just like what the lyrics say, ‘Ang pasko ay pasko pa rin’ whatever happens.”
This year, Cha-cha said she would still celebrate Christmas with the family, even though the other members will be far away. “What we actually recall during Christmas is the birth of Jesus Christ, so we really don’t need grand celebrations. We also don’t need to travel to do that. There will be time for traveling next year or when things are already back to normal. Meanwhile, let’s just keep our fighting spirit up.”
“Pasko Pa Rin,” produced by Star Music, is being streamed on Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer. INQ