dwta recalls moments she almost gave up on her music career
Raised and born in Bicol, Jhasmine Villanueva, better known as dwta, is a singer-songwriter dedicated to promoting her native language and local heritage through her songs.
She has captivated the hearts of many young Filipino music lovers with her catchy Bicolano pieces like “Padaba Taka,” “Santigwar,” and “Delikado,” along with her recently released collaboration song with Arthur Miguel titled “Tahan Na.”
Now, with 569,362 monthly listeners on Spotify, the Bicolano talent remains transparent about the challenges she faces as an artist.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during the Wanderland Music & Arts Festival at Filinvest City Events Grounds in Alabang, Muntinlupa City on March 10, 2024, dwta and her band delved into the hardships of their journey in the music industry.
Reflecting on her struggles, dwta shared, “Siguro kasi syempre, di ba, iba yung language na ginagamit ko sa mga songs ko—siguro yun yung isa sa naging challenge kasi syempre yung nag-uumpisa pa lang ako, gusto ko siyempre yung songs ko… makamasa, lahat makakaintindi.
“Kaya ayun, nagsulat ako ng mga Tagalog songs… until na na-discover ko na parang mas heartfelt… basta mas heartfelt pag sarili kong lengguwahe yung ginagamit ko sa mga songs ko…
“Kaya ayun, parang yun yung first ko naging parang problem talaga dati kaya.
“Pero nung nakapagsulat na ‘ko ng mga Bicol songs, nagtuluy-tuloy na.”
Regarding her current hardship in the industry, dwta quickly pointed out, “Nahihirapan po kaming matulog,” before she bursted into laughter.
She then explained, “Siguro kasi yung songs ko hindi pa naman siya like… worldwide, di ba?
“Or ano ba? Ewan, siguro ganun, siguro gusto kong mas umabot pa siya like ibang bansa.
“Na mas, kahit yun nga, Bicol siya, na parang malalaman ng mga taga-ibang bansa na may ganitong lengguwahe sa Bicol,... I mean sa Pilipinas.”
Read: Everything you need to know about Wanderland Music & Arts Festival 2024
DWTA: THE BEGINNING OF HER CAREER
Despite the growing success, dwta’s music career had a humble beginning back in her high school days.
Recalling her journey, dwta eagerly told PEP.ph, “Storytime! Nag-start ako magsulat ng songs nung senior high school kasi kasama ako sa isang songwriting camp.
“At dun natuto ‘kong magsulat ng songs, pero marunong na ‘ko nun maggitara, pero mas in-improve ko yung skill ko sa pag-play ng instrument nung natuto ‘kong magsulat ng songs kasi ayun nga, para mas madaming kanta ‘kong masulat… pero Tagalog songs pa nun yung mga sinusulat ko.
“And biglang may isang competition na kailangang Bicol yung isulat dun sa competition na yun.
“And ayun, na-in love ako sa pagsusulat ng Bicol songs—pinagpatuloy ko na siya hanggang sa nag-release ako ng songs ko, pandemic, nung nag-start yung pandemic nag-release ako ng songs, independent.
“And tuluy-tuloy siya hanggang sa isang label naka-discover sa 'kin, it's Sony Music, and yun.”
To convey her delight with the progress of her career, she emphasized “tuluy-tuloy” a couple of times.
With sincerity in her expression, she continued, “Wala nang katapusan ‘to. Basta ako, gusto ko lang gawin hangga't may energy pa ‘ko and masaya ako sa ginagawa ko—yun yung music journey ko.”
DWTA: ON THE VERGE OF GIVING UP
Amidst her milestones, dwta admitted to moments of doubt and nearly giving up on her music career.
When asked about considering giving up, she candidly replied, “Yeah!”
She then recounted her struggles and moments of isolation, disclosing, “Ito na, magra-rant na ‘ko. Last week, actually.”
Following a bout of laughter, she earnestly narrated, “Ang daming beses na muntik na ‘kong mag-give up sa music kasi iniisip ko nun, ‘Ngayon pa nga nandito pa lang ako pero sobrang napapagod na ‘ko na nauubos ako.’
“Ayun, nade-drain na ‘ko, what if pa kaya kung mas tumaas?
“And natatakot rin ako pag tumaas ako, bumagsak ako.
“Parang ginawa ko nun,” she took a pause, “Parang nag-isolate lang ako nun sa bahay, sa kuwarto ko, nasa Bicol ako nun.
“At tinry ko magsulat ng mga kanta, kahit… wala nang lumalabas, sobrang bulok ng mga ideas na lumalabas sa utak ko nun.
“'Tapos, ayun, hanggang sa kahit sobrang pinilit kong pigain yung utak ko, na nakagawa ako ng song na okey lang, ano lang sakto lang, pero at least nakagawa.
“Kasi ilang months ako nun hindi nakagawa ng kanta, akala ko nun burnout na ‘ko pero ayun kailangan ko lang talaga magpahinga kasi hindi tayo robot.”
DWTA AND THE BAND: OPENING ACT AT WANDERLAND DAY 2
Clearly, dwta and her band were ecstatic about kicking off day 2 of the Wanderland Music & Arts Festival.
They expressed gratitude and excitement for the opportunity, underlining their honor and anticipation for the event.
Jac jokingly remarked, “It's a very giving experience,” eliciting a collective response from dwta and the members, “It's giving!”
Once everyone settled down, Marcus stated, “Sobrang honored namin na mag-open for, siyempre, other acts 'tapos may international acts.
“Excited pero at the same time, may kaba.”
Lui simply commented, “Yes, and amen.”
Following that, Clark joyfully chimed in, “Sobrang excited, to be honest, kasi parang as a band, parang, yun as an artist din, parang it's a goal…
“Sobrang honored nga kami, as per Marcus, sobra kaming thankful and ano very excited 'tapos ano parang ang dami naming mawi-witness na iba’t ibang acts.
“And ano parang through that, matututo rin kami. So very thankful kami sa pag-open, and then after that we'll watch.”
For dwta, performing at the event was a dream come true.
In her words, “Dream concert ko ‘to, sobrang unexpected kasi siyempre as a Bicolano artist na yung ginagamit kong language sa mga songs ko ay di naman masyadong naiintindihan ng iba.
“And di naman sa bad thing yun pero ayun nga, unexpected na isa ako sa mapapasama sa sobrang daming magagaling na artists, like from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, dito sa Luzon, pero ayun, isa ako sa tutugtog today.
“Ayun, thankful.”
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