BY MANILA BULLETIN ENTERTAINMENT
AT A GLANCE
Through the past holidays, Geneva continues to romanticize the holidays for all its usual trimmings and trappings.
Pop songstress Geneva Cruz ushers in the holiday season with the timely release of her very first Christmas song, ‘When Christmas Comes.’
Barely a week since its soft launch on her social media platforms last Nov. 24, the catchy, upbeat tune has caught the attention of her fans and close showbiz friends, who all generously welcomed it with a resounding thumbs up.
It’s just a matter of time before the feel-good ditty becomes another anthemic OPM hit that kicks off the start of our long holiday season.
She shares, “I’ve always been a huge Christmas fan! I love the traditions, movies, music, and what it stands for — love, peace, and joy for everyone!”
The Smokey Mountain alumna reveals her primary motivation for writing the song, which she initially attempted starting last year.
She shares, “What motivated me was love. I discovered the perfect inspiration, and along with my passion for Christmas, everything just came together.”
“Last year was my first attempt at creating a Christmas song, so I reached out to my good friend Dan Gil, who is one of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab’s top students who also played for Smokey Mountain's major concert in Araneta Coliseum in December of 1990. But we couldn’t create.
Creation is all about inspiration and timing. I guess the timing wasn’t right then.” “Fast forward to this year… I went to Dan’s place, sat in front of his computer, and started typing. After I wrote the song, he worked on the melody and arrangement, and ‘When Christmas Comes’ was born.”
“So, I wrote it first, Dan came up with the melody, and arranged it. Apparently, this isn’t Geneva’s first attempt at songwriting.
She clarifies, “I’ve composed some songs that have been part of my past albums, starting from my first solo album when I was 15. Some of the songs I did include ‘Love Can Wait,’ ‘To Manila,’ ‘Love Is Here,’ ‘Set You Free,’ and ‘Peace.’ Writing has always been an outlet of mine. I’ve written more and composed the melodies on my unused files.”
Asked to elaborate on her Christmas song’s theme, she expounds, "When Christmas Comes’ is about a woman catching feelings for her ex, who is currently long-distance. She eagerly awaits his arrival and is excited about seeing him again. The ex-partners share similar feelings and plan Christmas adventures, including riding Santa’s sleigh, enjoying formal dinners, and having fun together.”
Through the past holidays, Geneva continues to romanticize the holidays for all its usual trimmings and trappings.
She muses, “I’m pretty old school. I’ve had wonderful memories of Christmas. My parents, especially my late mom, made the holidays special for my sisters and me. She cooked the most delicious food and took us shopping for new dresses and shoes, which I used to keep beside me while I slept. Haha!”
Asked to pick her favorite Christmas songs, her top three include Johnny Mathis’ ‘We Need A Little Christmas, the Jackson 5’s Christmas record, and not surprisingly, Jose Mari Chan’s ‘Christmas In Our Hearts.’
As a fledgling songwriter, does she feel privileged working with Ryan, whose legacy as National Artist for Music is without peer?
She says, “There is a wealth of ideas from the maestro, but only one Mr. C. While I can strive to emulate his work ethic and passion for songwriting and the arts, I must develop my own style.
Each artist has unique tricks and styles, and we are responsible for expressing our colors to the world.
Geneva feels just as proud in conceptualizing the song’s music video, and thanks good friend, prolific director and Smokey Mountain alumnus Jeffrey Hidalgo, for being part of it.
“One of my besties, Jeffrey Hidalgo, directed the music video, and I’m truly grateful to him and the whole creative team. The video was my concept. We made it snow in QC! Hahaha!”
Aside from her regular concert sorties and TV guestings, Geneva continues to be the epitome of fitness and women empowerment through her wellness endorsements. She remains committed to her duties and responsibilities as a proud reservist Sergeant of the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command.
Check out ‘When Christmas Comes’ on Spotify and Geneva’s official YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook platforms.
