Dozens of shoes, an acoustic guitar for Idol PH alums

Trisha Gomez and her shoe collection

A pair of killer heels can complete an outfit, but for “Idol Philippines” 2022 contestant Trisha Gomez, comfort has always been key. The aspiring singer and model who joined ABS-CBN’s reality singing competition last year is a certified shoe lover who owns dozens of shoes.

“They’re special to me because I feel confident whenever I wear shoes I like and that I’m comfortable with. I feel like some part of me is complete and I’m ready to go.”

Trisha who placed eighth out of the 72 contestants who auditioned for ‘Idol Philippines’ 2022 described herself as “obsessed” when it comes to footwear. Her parents give her pairs but also tell her to take her shopping sprees down a notch. “I already have a lot and have given some pairs away to relatives because I don’t get to wear them all. My feet were growing too fast back then, so sometimes they’d be already too small. They still buy me shoes because they support me and I also need different kinds of shoes as an artist.”

Drei Sugay

Neutrals

She finds her shoes online or in malls and factory outlets. She’s loved shoes even as a kid, but learned early on that whatever the style or color, the most important is that they are comfortable to wear aside from looking good. Trisha goes for neutrals like black and white, as well as silver.

“I also prefer shoes with a little bit of weight and not light ones since I want to feel that I’m really wearing shoes. I bring extra pairs with me when I have a performance or training. In my house, I keep them in a drawer cabinet and put the ones that get the most mileage on a shoe rack,” Trisha said.

For Drei Sugay, who also joined ‘Idol Philippines’ in 2022, his favorite thing is his first guitar—a sunburst, turtle-back acoustic guitar that his parents gave him.

Drei, who placed 11 among the 12 finalists that year, saw the guitar in a music shop (RJ Guitars) and was drawn to its unique design. “When I was in high school, my classmates loved having jam sessions with one of my friends playing the guitar. I was amazed at how the acoustic guitar sounded, and I wanted to learn how to play it.”

He would often borrow his friend’s guitar to practice, but later decided he wanted to have his own. He began saving up his allowance, buying less food for lunch until he was able to set aside hundreds of pesos.

“I had my eye on a specific acoustic guitar. It had a sunburst finish, and the lining looked like strips of ruby and jade marble. The typical acoustic guitar has a huge hole in the middle, but not this one. It had holes spread throughout, each placed within a wooden leaf design embedded on the body beside the neck. It had a rounded back with a rough texture, instead of the typical flat back.

Sugay’s acoustic guitar

Special gift

“Though it looked different, it still sounded as warm and full as every other guitar. One thing about me is that I like weird things that stand out. This guitar, in my eyes, definitely stood out.”

Drei’s parents had noticed their son’s interest and went ahead and bought the guitar for him. He said it was a gift that singlehandedly jumpstarted his music career. “They have always supported me in every endeavor I pursued, although a part of me wishes I had spent my money on food,” he jokingly said.

The guitar has a special place in Drei’s heart and is kept in a secure place in their home where everyone inside can see it.