From Australia to US: Ex-PBB housemate YLona Garcia starting all over again

Ylona Garcia

One of the things former “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) housemate Ylona Garcia did during her recent stay in her hometown in Sydney, Australia, was catch up with some of her childhood friends. And in doing so, she found inspiration for her latest single, “Entertain Me.”

“I was blessed to have been able to get in touch with my friends in Australia. And as we shared stories, I found something we had in common. I was 18 then … a time when we were supposed to be adults, and feel independent and strong. But we didn’t feel that way, which was really sad,” the 19-year-old recording artist said in a recent virtual group interview.

“Entertain Me”—produced by the duo DNA and written by Ylona in collaboration with David Musumeci and Antonio Egizii—is described as “an anthemic synthpop” song that tackles “female empowerment.”

“When I was writing it, I just wanted to create a character with the essence of being absolutely confident, of being 100 percent, about yourself. It’s something that I absolutely aspire to be. And I hope that comforts me, and reminds me every day to be vocal about how I feel and be confident with who I am,” she said. “And I hope people across the globe get that message.”

Independence

Set amid a “soaring backbeat,” the danceable bop—which evokes 1990s pop—has the Filipino-Australian singer asserting her “independence and dispelling the notion that she can be fooled and controlled by anyone.”

The message of the single makes it an apt fit for the recent launch of the new playable character of Riot Games’ wildly popular first-person hero shooter game “Valorant.” Ylona recently released the song as part of a “Valorant” trailer introducing Neon—a young Filipino agent who wields “bioelectric” powers.

Neon, Ylona said, exudes qualities that she hopes to have, too.

“I thought she was cool. I don’t think I’m cool. She’s the opposite of how I feel about myself sometimes. But ‘Valorant’ felt my song was a good match for Neon. I’m honored. And it was nice to put myself in a character while I perform ‘Entertain Me,’” she said of the song, which now has 10 million collective streams and views on Spotify and YouTube.

“Although I don’t get to see them in person, my fans have been entertaining me and supporting me a lot. They’re all very kind. A lot of new people are joining the fandom, which is really cool. I’m really grateful,” she added.

Goal

After her stay in Australia, Ylona relocated to Los Angeles in the United States, where she’s now based and pursuing a show biz career. She’s now signed with Paradise Rising—a Philippine-focused sublabel of the American music company 88rising, which is known for promoting empowering artists of Asian descent like Joji, NIKI and Rich Brian.

“It has always been my goal to start a career here. Somehow, a part of me always knew that I would end up here—only because it was my goal, a dream of mine. Before I signed up with 88 [Rising], I had gone to Los Angeles a few times and started creating songs and meeting cool people. And then 88 signed me up,” she related.

One of her most memorable experiences as an 88Rising artist so far was taking part in “Head in the Clouds III” music festival, which had her dishing a 20-minute set at the Rose Bowl stadium in California.

“The nerves are always going to be there. But preparing for the show was so much fun. Everyone was very kind, amazing and fun to work with,” she said.

In some ways, the ex-PBB housemate is starting all over again. And the process, she said, is challenging and exciting all at once. “It feels difficult, but it’s really nice at the same time because it’s something I have always wanted since I was younger. I’m happy where I’m right now. I love the hustle and getting out of my comfort zone,” she said.