Aiza Seguerra and The CompanY unite people through lyrics and melodies that know no boundaries
There are about 6,500 spoken languages all over the world but one thing transcends them all – music. Esteemed singer-songwriter Aiza Seguerra couldn’t agree more. He believes music is not just for entertainment, but it can unite the world. That it could be a force for change, a voice for social advocacy, and it can comfort people in times of need and sadness.
Aiza recalled in a recent interview how music touched the hearts of Marawi evacuees. It was July last year when the National Youth Commission (NYC) chair visited the families displaced by the war between the government troops and local terror groups, displaying a show of unity as he sang OPM hits including Yeng Constantino’s “Hawak Kamay.”
“Iba talaga ang nagagawa ng music lalo na sa mga panahon na may mga pinagdadaanan hindi lang tayong mga tao kun’di mismo ang ating bansa,” he said. “I remember nu’ng kakatapos lang ng Marawi siege, pumunta ako ng Lanao (del Sur), wala akong dalang anything. Gitara ko lang ang hawak ko.”
“Sabi ko kasi nu’ng (panahon na ’yun) gusto kong umikot, gusto kong puntahan ’yung lugar, not for anything ha. I just want to sing kasi sabi ko after months of gun firing, finally they will hear music. At iba, grabe ang naging reaction ng mga tao. From that moment, ang nasabi ko na lang, ‘We can have peace.’”
For the country’s leading vocal group, The CompanY – with members Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Sweet Plantado, Cecile together, celebrate each other by means of it. So I hope more and more people use music as a tool for uniting one another for the betterment of each and everyone.”
We caught up with Aiza and The CompanY at the press conference of their Valentine’s show titled “This Is Us” tonight at the Music Museum.
Moy said the show will give concertgoers a sentimental high with new arrangements of the best-loved Stevie Wonder, Bread and Carpenters tunes. Another treat is the turn-about interpretation of The CompanY classic hits by Aiza.
“This Is Us” will also pay tribute to The CompanY’s producer and publisher, the late Margot Gallardo.
“She passed away last year. Margot produced 14 The CompanY albums and by doing this concert, we pay tribute to her legacy,” Moy said, adding they credit the success of the group to Margot. “We’re very blessed because God gave us the right people and so we’re moving on with her legacy by singing those songs she produced in our concert.”
If anything, Moy said audiences will surely hear honest, authentic performances.
“We are in this school of thought in singing wherein you don’t have to sing high and loud to be lauded. All you have to do is be earnest and express honestly,” Moy explained. “Aiza is not a belter and The CompanY has a lot of songs that didn’t