For Asia’s Phoenix Morissette, self-care is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
With a career spanning 15 years, the powerhouse singer has weathered the demands of countless performances, international tours, and now, the preparations for her milestone concert Ember.
But behind the whistle notes and soaring ballads is a woman who has learned, sometimes the hard way, that her artistry is only as strong as the body and mind that sustain it.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on August 18, 2025, at the Underdog Music office in Pasig, Morissette shared the wellness practices that keep her grounded, healthy, and ready to give her all—not just on stage, but in life.
SLEEP, HYDRATION, AND GENTLE MOVEMENT
When asked about the lifestyle choices she prioritizes, Morissette answered without hesitation: sleep.
“I try to get as much sleep as I can. Kasi, I mean, 15 years of doing this, I've realized na kapag magkulang ako ng tulog, wala talagang mangyayari or hindi ko maibigay yung one hundred percent ko. So that's top of priority,” she explained.
She has learned that her voice simply cannot perform if her body is exhausted.
Unlike in her early years, when adrenaline often carried her through late nights and back-to-back shows, she now views rest as non-negotiable.
Hydration is equally vital.
Whether she’s preparing for a show or flying abroad with her husband for work, water remains her constant companion.
“Ultimately, I have to keep drinking water… if you're traveling a lot, being in the plane, it's very dehydrating as well.
"So as much as possible, I always have a tumbler… there's water always just to keep myself hydrated,” she revealed.
Her routine also includes light physical activity.
“I walk every morning. It's not even, like, kahit hindi run. But I just walk on the treadmill every morning.
"While I'm doing work, nagla-laptop ako. Sometimes, yung aso ko nakiki-walk with me sa treadmill,” she shared.
For her, wellness isn’t about extreme regimens or rigid fitness schedules.
Instead, it’s about small, consistent choices—rest, hydration, and gentle movement—that form a steady foundation for energy both on and off stage.
NUTRITION AND FINDING BALANCE
Morissette admitted that, like many people, she once pushed her body without thinking of the consequences.
Coffee used to be her constant pre-performance companion, until her body eventually said otherwise.
“My rider was coffee before… Hanggang sa narinig ko na yung effect, sabi ko, ‘Oh no, I have to lie low on coffee.’ Which is now, I've switched to matcha.
"And it perks me in a way na gising pa rin naman ako and it sustains me the whole day. But I don't naman feel the caffeine or the acidity go into my system,” she shared.
That small switch taught her that listening to her body matters more than sticking to habits that no longer serve her.
When it comes to food, she doesn’t subscribe to extreme restrictions but listens closely to what her body needs.
“I generally just eat what I'm able to eat. I also don't overeat naman kasi that also leads to acid.
"And every now and then, I treat myself with some sweets and some ice cream. Every now and then naman. Not always, but as a reward,” she explained.
Her approach reflects balance—fueling herself with what nourishes her, while also allowing space for small indulgences.
“I think, like everything else, too much of anything is bad. But if you find your balance, your body will thank you for it,” she emphasized.
THE VOICE AS A MUSCLE, THE MIND AS A PARTNER
For Morissette, vocal health is holistic: it requires both technical discipline and mental clarity.
Her warm-ups don’t always follow traditional routines, but they are rooted in consistency.
She explained: “Vocal cords are also muscles if you think about it, na the moment titigil ka, you have to work towards working on it again.
"And so I just try to make it a point that I’m singing every day. And so that’s my warm-up. Every day.”
Over the years, she also discovered healthier techniques to sustain her signature high notes without strain.
“Sometimes you don’t always have to hit high notes ng chest, nang sobrang bigat. Because sometimes you can achieve it with another placement… tinatawag nilang head tone, pero naka-mix, na makapal pa rin siya, pero it sounds kind of the same.
"Abot pa rin naman yung note, minsan nga mas effortless pa siya kasi you’re not straining your throat or your voice,” she revealed.
This shift, she explained, was a turning point.
After years of pushing her voice to extremes, she found a way to preserve her instrument while still delivering the power her audience expects.
Mentally, she also practices focus and calm before shows.
For Ember, she has taken on the challenge of performing over 15 songs without a teleprompter.
She shared, “I also want to focus on delivering the songs as if I’m really talking to someone, na I’m not dependent on lyrics.
"I pray also right before… On top of giving me the power to be able to sustain myself for a two-hour show, na sana, this show is walang maging problem, especially the side of technical and that everyone just has a great time.”
Part of her wellness isn’t just about preventing physical strain—it’s also about protecting her peace of mind so she can show up fully for her audience.
EXPLORING NEW STYLES AND SUSTAINING LONGEVITY
Part of her wellness journey is also about keeping her artistry alive by trying new vocal placements and styles—without sacrificing her health.
She shared, “Especially this past year… I did a movie. It's called Song of the Fireflies… And one of the songs that I promote the movie with is… ‘Alitaptap,’ which is written by National Artist for Music, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab.
"And this song… hindi siya chest… It's more of like melodic… I love using that placement because it's high pa rin, pero it's not mabigat.
"And so sakto lang siya. It still sounds very easy listening. So I'm enjoying that placement.”
Exploring new ways of singing has also allowed her to break free from expectations.
“I like being able to sing up here na hindi ako pagod, na hindi ako yung parang nauubos yung boses ko.
"So I find joy finding and being able to do all these different placements na hindi usual na naririnig ng mga tao,” she noted.
Her ultimate goal? Sustainability.
“My goal is to be able to keep singing for as long as I can. And I guess I'm just doing my part also in taking care of my voice,” she emphasized.
LESSONS BEYOND THE STAGE
For aspiring singers—or anyone whose daily work depends on their voice—Morissette has one clear piece of advice: know yourself.
Morissette emphasized: “I think the root of it all is that you know your voice. I don’t think you have to force yourself or you have to force your voice to be something that it is not…
"It is just very, very important that you know yourself, you know your voice, and you really take the effort to take care of it.”
She is also candid about learning the hard way.
“For the longest time, I have been known for my whistle notes, but I had to face the consequence of having to use that all the time, which is dumating sa point na nawalan talaga ako ng boses…
"I’m just very glad, and I’m very lucky na I was able to restore my voice and then learn techniques to still be able to hit high notes without necessarily straining them,” she recounted.
Her journey proves that excellence isn’t about pushing limits recklessly—it’s about caring for the body, mind, and spirit that make those limits possible in the first place.
MORE THAN A CONCERT, A MUSIC EXPERIENCE
While Ember is the immediate reason for her disciplined regimen, Morissette emphasizes that the show is not just another concert.
It is the culmination of her evolution as both an artist and an individual.
Morissette shared: “One of the things that people can expect is what we're really achieving for this show is a different level of music experience… I really want to showcase my original music…
"Of course, notable covers will always be a part of my setlist, pero yung original music talaga, I owe it also to my collaborators and songwriters who have entrusted me with their work…
"Really, our goal talaga for the show, it's a music experience talaga na kahit na maybe, if you're not a Morissette fan, I would still encourage you to go because the music experience is a whole other level.”
Her discipline, balance, and mindfulness—both as a singer and as a person—ensure that what fans will witness on stage is not only raw talent, but also the result of years of self-care, discovery, and growth.
And for those beyond the spotlight, her journey is a reminder that protecting one’s health and well-being is not just about survival—it is about creating space to thrive and to give the best of oneself to the people and passions that matter most.