BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
AT A GLANCE
Espinoza has garnered a nomination for Best New Female Artist at the 37th Aliw Awards.
Joice Espinoza, born in Olongapo City, grew up in a family that supported her as a child and encouraged her to discover her authentic self.
Espinoza was intensely interested in music, pageantry, and the performing arts from an early age. She developed a passion for music while listening to theme songs from children's shows and cartoons, and her parents observed her ability to sing in tune.
“I just watched kids' shows and cartoons and sang along to their many theme songs, which was my first introduction to music and singing in general. My parents were amused by my ability to sing in pitch at such a young age. As I grew older, my mother enrolled me in vocal training in our hometown. As the saying goes, practice makes better. I've developed my talents over time by learning new things and participating in competitions to push myself,” she said.
At the age of 10, Espinoza competed in Princess of the World in Pomorie, Bulgaria, and won in the voice and modeling categories. Her outstanding performance during the talent portion earned her a standing ovation from both the judges and the crowd.
When asked about her memorable experiences in Bulgaria, she shared, “When I won Princess of the World 2017, I was just ten years old. It was truly surprising and unbelievable. I am grateful and honored to have been given the opportunity to raise my flag and pride as a Filipino. Exploring a land where roses thrive is an unforgettable experience; the people are friendly and welcoming. Furthermore, the atmosphere and environment are pleasant, with several tourist attractions.”
Espinoza competed on ABS-CBN's It's Showtime's Tawag Ng Tanghalan Season 7 in 2023, winning the Daily Winner title. Her career in entertainment began with the mentorship of talent manager John Rey Malto, whose advice has been critical to her development.
The newbie recording artist just debuted her original song, "Pangako Mo," which was penned by John Rey Malto, musically arranged by Adonis Arcilla, with vocals and guitars recorded by Marvin Querido, and mixed and mastered by Angelo M. Rozul. The song went viral, gaining over 1.2 million views and receiving significant acclaim.
“My manager wrote the song. I've realized that the song is about the beauty of promises kept by those who made them—making you feel loved, cared for, and, most importantly, making your trust actually valuable. It's about romanticizing what love provides and teaches, as well as the emotions it might evoke,” the young singer expressed.
After launching her debut single, Espinoza plans to release more songs about her experiences as a young musician discovering her true voice. She also stated that she wishes to collobarate with Lea Salonga.
“We intend to make more music for people to relate to and listen to. My current musical interests include Broadway musicals and the classical genre. I'm more interested in extending my vocal range and versatility since I want to study and increase my understanding of music and performance in general. I'd love to work with Miss Lea Salonga in a musical theater production; her clarity and execution are simply breathtaking, and I look up to her,” she revealed.
When asked how rewarding it is for her to perform on stage, she responded, “The satisfaction I get from performing is fulfilling. Seeing people having a nice time while seeing me perform makes me happy. I enjoy making people feel like they have someone to relate to. Having a mutual connection with someone allows others to deal more effectively and teaches us to be truly appreciative.”
Espinoza has garnered a nomination for Best New Female Artist at the 37th Aliw Awards. Her original song won the Parai Musical International Awards in Chennai, India, and the Global Music Awards 2024 in California. The music video for her song was also awarded at the World Music and Independent Film Festival in Virginia, United States.
