by Phoebe Dorothy Estelle
Once upon a time Barbie Almabis thought that it was impossible for her to become a musician. Like other wannabes, at first she was unsure if she will pursue her ambition, but in the end her fascination overpowered her hesitation.
“Music is part of my family already. We are family of songwriters and musicians in the clan. But nobody in my family really pursued a music career so it never crossed on my mind. Then I graduated at business school then I realize na puwede pa lang magkaroon ng career sa music, akala ko hindi siya nangyayari.”
In 2005 Barbie broke up with her renowned band, Barbie’s Cradle. The said decision is considered the turning point of her career. Way back, She was also the vocalist of another breakthrough band, Hungry Young Poets.
“I was thinking of whether to rest or to do something much mature church based depende na lang kung saan ako ilalagay ni God.”
According to her, her separation with his former bandmates was a mutual agreement. “Of course they were sad because we had a good relationship, siyempre naninibago kami lahat.
“Barbie: the Singles” was her first solo album. The album was a compilation of her hit songs like “Torpe”, “Money For Food”, “Limang Dipang Tao”, “The Dance” at “Tabing Ilog”.
Indeed, Barbie’s will created a total makeover to her career. She became busier doing gigs, concerts and composing jingles for the toothpaste and shampoo commercials.
“ Iyong mga companies they don’t just get you to write a song and have you to sing it. They want you hear your music first then will ask you to write. Bale, hindi ka nako-compromise as an artist. For me it’s a good opportunity to get my songs out to be heard in that way.”
The song “Just A Smile” was not only a hit jingle for a toothpaste commercial but also a chart topper. She worked with heartthrob and Pinoy Big Brother housemate, Sam Milby on its music video.
One more jingle ad that she did was “Summer Day” for a shampoo commercial and it’s included in her second solo album entitled “Parade.”
Another change that happened to Barbie as a solo artist was the type of songs she was composing. One such example is “Dahilan”, a song about knowing the person you love.
“Dahilan is the song I wrote on the way to Baguio and coming down. The lyrics has ‘alam ko na ang pangalan mo pati address at telepono. Alam ko na rin ang mga gusto at mga ayaw mo, ngunit lahat ng ito’y wala ring kahulugan kung hindi rin lang ikaw ang matagpuan.’ It’s song of Jesus. I grew up with a lot of knowledge of Jesus and about God. As a Christian I remind myself that it is not about knowledge na nasa mind lang siya. I realize that kailangan nasa heart rin siya na I have to be in love with Jesus. Parang I don’t want to know the dos and don’ts about you because I wanna be in love with you,” Barbie’s explains.
Having the same background, people sometimes equate Barbie’s career to that of to Kitchie Nadal. Kitchie was the former lead singer of Mojofly and now a singer –composer, too. Barbie denies that Kitchie and her are rivals.
“Kitchie is my goood friend and everybody naman has his brand.”
Barbie notes also that if there is one artist she wants to collaborate with, Kitchie is one of them. Recently they did concerts and commercials together.
Last year, Barbie married Martin Honasan, the son of former Senator Gringo Honasan. Many speculated that Barbie would soon retire but obviously, it quickly melted since Barbie is very active up to this date. In fact, she feels she hasn’t fulfilled her mission yet as an artist.
“ I don’t think you reallt get to that point, though,” Barbie said. “I am not sure, you always have something to learn. I guess it’s not that you’ve accomplished everything already but rather you want to move on to other things na like focus on your family.”
For now, however, Barbie Almalbis is still committed to her music career. And she plans to stay for long time.
About Phoebe Dorothy Estelle: Phoebe Dorothy Estelle believes in the power of dreaming and it's smarter to be lucky than lucky to be smart. She's boyish and jolly outside but feminine inside. Has faith to the Divine Providence and an ambivert gal who loves performing arts, anime, interesting stories or people, music,films and ice cream..
