Zia's music

Kung sinu-sino pang tinatawagan mo
Nandito lang naman ako
At kung saan-saan ka pa naghahanap
Nandito lang naman ako

Ako na lang sana
Tayo na lang dal'wa
Sana nalaman mo pala
Ako na lang sana
                                 
                       -Ako Na Lang Sana by Zia Quizon

“It’s her first time in Davao” her manager describes Zia Quizon’s visit during the young singer’s show at the atrium of the newly-opened SM Davao Annex.

Twenty-year old Zia Denise Marie Padilla Quizon is the newest darling of the OPM industry known for her refreshing blend of pop, jazz, soul, rock and retro-styled R&B. Zia’s eponymous mini-CD album   released in November last year has reached gold record in February this year after selling 7,500 copies.

With her achievements Zia is slowly stepping out of the illustrious shadows of her father- the king of comedy Dolphy, her mom- the divine diva Zsa Zsa Padilla and half-sister Karylle.

During her mini show at SM Annex I’ve got to talk to her manager Carlo Orosa (who also manages Christian Bautista, Sam Concepcion, Enrique Gil, Jay-R) to know more about the shy Zia.

Carlo who also writes for Philippine Star’s entertainment page tells me that Zia grew up appreciating her father’s music, the reason for that noticeable retro-vintage vibe in her music.

“Karylle called me up asking me if I want to manage Zia.” Carlo recalls his introduction to Zia. Carlo also manages Zia’s half-sister Karylle. 

“The Quizon family practically entrusted Zia to me.” He recalls the time when he began managing Zia’s career. 

He says that Zia writes her own songs and has the ability to produce songs for other people. There are plans of pushing Zia internationally particularly in the lucrative markets of Indonesia where Carlo’s other talent Christian Bautista is a certified singing star.

During the mini-show at SM Zia performed several cuts from the album like her initial hit “Ako Na Lang,”  her own composition” Simple Girl”, a remake of an old OPM hit originally done by her mom “Mambobola” a Sheena Easton original “So Much In Love” and  she also did her own unique vintage take on Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep.”

During the dinner interview at Peri-Peri, Zia says that she doesn’t want to be boxed in a type of musical genre. Zia says there isn’t really a unique style of singing her songs, she just feels her songs. “Depende sa kanta, it’s important na ma-feel mo sa kanta.” She says.

The way she sings is brought upon her connection or a strong emotion she feels in a song.  Zia says she is the type of person who bring out her emotions through music, through the songs she sings.

She says she started being involved in music when she was nine years old when she was taught to play the guitars. Her entry in showbusiness began when Zia sang a duet with her dad’s Handog ni Pidol album and recorded a song for the United Nations Anti- Poverty Campaign.

For her debut mini album which contained six songs under the record label Polyeast Records Zia wanted to pick the songs that she could relate or could show a different side of her.

One of the songs, the much acclaimed cover of” Mambobola” was picked since she wanted to make this as a tribute to her mom Zsa Zsa.  “It shows how much she inspires me” says Zia of her mom.

A full-length album is being planned and would probably include more songs penned by Zia as Carlo says some songs would be original of original material. For the meantime Zia who was named as Favorite New Artist at the recent Myx Music Awards can be seen every Sundays as she is part of the ABS-CBN afternoon ASAP ROCKS Acoustic Republic segment.

(Special thanks to SM CITY Davao and Carlo Orosa for the interview)