Her name may sound foreign at first but PolyEast Records latest find is one proud Filipina.

Born in her mother's native homeland of Cebu, Monique Rae jumpstarted her showbiz career by joining stage plays, hosting TV variety shows and recording jingles—all while attending to her studies at the Cebu International School then at the PAREF Southcrest.

Monique's love of music can be attributed to her mother's big influence as vocalist for a local band. She honed her acting skills in the Queen City of the South by appearing in various stage plays and television variety shows. She trained for her musical career by recording singles alongside Cebu's top exports Cueshe and Dice & K9. In 2004, she tried her luck in Manila by joining Studio 23's Nationwide VJ Hunt. It was also in 2004 when she became a finalist for the show, Trip Kita, sponsored by Colgate and ABS-CBN. She was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the Palmolive Perfect 10 models.

DEBUT RECORD. Despite these diversions, Monique was able to find enough time to focus on her music. In 2007, PolyEast Records signed her up, resulting in her debut album titled All Up To Me.

"I wanna do an album which truly represents me-free-spirited, simple and soulful," said Monique.

The 12-track record bellies the fact that behind the matured and soulful sound is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter determined to leave an imprint in the local music scene. All Up To Me's lead single "Set Me Free" boasts of hooks and thoughtful lyrics.

PolyEast Records wrote that the album highlights Monique's notable vocal presence that merges "passion, vulnerability, passion, intensity, yearning and tenderness all in one voice."

Monique's gift of writing sincere and heartfelt lyrics was evident in the original numbers "Funny Feelings," "With You," and "I Am Empty."

Fellow Cebuano Gabby Alipe (of the seminal rock band Urbandub) co-wrote the touching ode to unreciprocated love titled "Halik Sa Hangin." "Panaginip," "Free," "Pwede Ba," and "Promises" round up the entire record.

Polyeast Records A&R director Chito Ilagan describes about the female singer: "Monique is a self-made musician/songwriter who has a defineite style of her own. It is quite hard for a new singer to have an identity of her own in her first album but Monique has done it with All Up To Me. Her album producer, Jon Jon Castañeda knew exactly her strengths and utilized them in this album."

Monique Rae's All Up, To Me is now available in all record bars nationwide courtesy of PolyEast Records.

TRACK LISTING.

1. All Up To Me
2. Set Me Free
3. Panaginip
4. Halik Sa Hangin
5. Free
6. Pwede Ba
7. Funny Feelings
8. Promises
9. Doon
10. With You
11. I Am Empty
12. Gunita