by Mila Lumactao
Finally, Sunshine at the end of the tunnel:Trisha Denise launches anti-bullying EP album
Half a decade after the enactment of Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, a fresh sound is being added to positive voices advocating fairer, kinder, more caring treatment amongst youngsters, especially in school environments.
Young artist, singer/songwriter Trisha Denise, launched her anti-bullying EP album entitled “Sunshine.”
A dark season, a Sunshine-filled message
Having been writing songs since she was 11, Trisha Denise penned and composed the Janella Salvador hit “Teka Muna Pag-Ibig” (released by ABS-CBN in 2015). Trisha has also consistently placed in the Top 30 of the PhilPop Songwriting Competition, since first joining in 2012.
Inspired by “love of family, of cats and dogs, and the grace of God,” Trisha now has a rich and still-growing body of work as songwriter, vocal coach, and arranger: all standing as a testament to her personal triumph over a dark season of school bullying, and a subsequent suicide attempt.
Sunshine the album features all-new, all-original songs written and sung by Trisha. All the songs, whether directly or indirectly, point to reminders about a person’s inherent worth as God’s creation, and the importance of persevering and hoping despite adverse circumstances.
The five-track EP features the title track “Sunshine,” a light-hearted message of encouragement in the face of life’s adversities (check out the music video featuring impromptu “back-up vocals” by real-life farm chickens at YouTube ).
Meanwhile, EP album’s soulful carrier single, “Mahalaga” (the Filipino word for valuable/precious) is derived from Trisha’s portmanteau of two important Filipino words mahal (love) and alaga (care). For the title and lyrics, Trisha drew insight from the quote, “Hurt people, hurt people.”
“That’s why pain gets passed on generation after another. But the pain and the cycle can be stopped if you know how much you are important, loved, and cared for,” Trisha points out, gently reminding the hurting that they, too, are precious and worthy of love, notwithstanding their circumstances.
(An earlier composition which also draws from this dark season in her life, “Tanging Ikaw Lang ang Kailangan,” was a Grand Finalist in the Papuri! 21 songwriting competition in 2016.)
The thoughtful yet overall positive character of the album is captured by the album design and illustrations done by graphic designer and illustrator Paulo Gaviola.
Singing champions support the cause
The sold-out album launch concert drew strong support not only from fans (some even hailing from Isabela province, having taken advantage of the convenient online booking option), but from notable young artists.
Leading the roster of singing champions who supported Sunshine’s launch were The Voice Grand Finalist and recording artist Timmy Pavino, and Tawag Ng Tanghalan Grand Finalist and singer-songwriter Sam Mangubat.
The Voice Grand Champion Jason Dy sang “Kahit Kailan” and also joined Trisha Denise onstage for an acoustic duet of “Both Sides” (which also appears as a bonus track in the EP album).
Fans were treated to an 11-song lineup from Trisha herself, who performed eight original pieces and did covers of Ed Sheeran, whom Trisha credits as a major musical influence.
Make your stand and grab some Sunshine!