By NOEL D. FERRER
Award-winning artist Ivy Violan, dubbed as the Philippines’ “Music Festival Queen,” is nowhere near finished with her career. In fact, she’s nowhere near retirement either. After living in Manila for several years and taking a short hiatus, Ivy is thrilled to be in the United States to not only perform as a solo artist, but also to be a legal resident and citizen of the country.
“This is an entirely new journey for me,” she said of her sudden move to the US in 2012.. “Things just happened so quickly, but I am fortunate. I have been blessed with this opportunity.”
Now a resident of Los Angeles, Ivy is an established performer in the US. Her loved ones, faith in God, and the forever support from her fans are what have kept her going for almost four decades in the music scene. She has never once thought about giving up, because music is her life.
Ivy was just two and a half years old when she started singing, and was exposed to all kinds of music by her grandmother. At the age of 4, she was the lead singer in a band with her siblings, called “Ivy and the Velboys.” The group went on to perform in multiple TV and radio shows, and even won top honors at a 1958 children’s singing contest. “When I was younger, I was always looking at how I could fit within the industry,” Ivy remembers. “Although I never dreamt of becoming a big star. I just wanted to sing and be a performer.”
In the ‘70s, a time when music flourished with creative talent and colorful sound, Ivy became seriously involved in the entertainment industry. She sang at lounges and performed in singing contests. Her career took off when she joined various popular Philippine bands like Royal Flush Music Society and Sangkatutak as the lead vocalist. In 1980, Ivy became a solo artist through Viva Records with her own band, 8th of September. Since going solo, Ivy has won a number of prestigious awards including the grand prize at the 4th International Midnight Sun Song Festival, the ABU-Golden Kite World Song Festival, and first place in the 1988 Asia-Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong. She became known as the Philippines’ “Music Festival Queen” after winning 11 top awards at international music festivals, and quickly earned respect within the Filipino music entertainment industry.
It was good reuniting with Ivy at the 1st Manila International Film Festival in Hollywood last week where she had sentimental recollections of her days with Direk Jose Javier Reyes, who, along with composer Danny Tan, wrote her award-winning song “Easy To Love.”
When asked about longevity and what she can share as valuable tips and reminders to young performers, the Music Festival Queen has enumerated 10 quick pointers:
- Always be grateful. Good or challenging times, keep that smile and positive attitude always.
- Listen to your elders. Let their wisdom guide you. Honor them always.
- Take 10 hours of sleep.
- Eat healthy.
- Spirituality is very important. Make faith as a guide through life’s toughest moments, and continually thank God for whatever comes your way.
- Take time out to do something aside from school and singing and arts.
- Never share your plans to others. Keep your moves close to your chest.
- Be mindful of your being. No “Maritess.” Mind your own business.
- Voice lessons should be constant and are very important. Never stop learning.
- If need to audition and go through a workshop, do so because it is a good exercise and it will keep you grounded. There should be no diva or star attitude.
Ivy is set to stage a major concert here in Manila by June this year. What has the Philippines’ “Music Festival Queen” planned for her comeback?
“A lot of good music, passion, hope and love,” she quips.
Will the audience still be there?
“Oh, they have always been there, because I’ve made it easy for them to love me.”
As Ivy Violan prepares to grace the stage once again, her unwavering dedication to music shines through. Just like her timeless talent, Ivy’s music will always resonate as she is always on point and on cue!
