Liezel Garcia has fulfilled her biggest wish — she became one of the top five finalists of Pinoy Dream Academy. Sure, she wasn't the big winner, but that didn't matter for the pretty and talented lass from Puerto Galera — a place known more as a hotbed of foreign tourists than a haven for talented singers.
For Garcia, it was enough that she finished one of the final four performers in the academy out of the more than five thousand hopefuls who auditioned.
Growing up on the island, Garcia always dreamt of making it big. She would wake up at five in the morning to practice singing with her grandmother - the person she credits for her singing talent. "I remember singing in public at the age of three; since then, thanks to my lola, I have been trying to perfect my art with the hope of making it big in showbusiness," she said nostalgically.
Though singing took a backseat while she was in school, she would perform at small public events and competitions for a little fame and prize money. "That helped me to complete my schooling. If I didn't become a singer, at least I would have something to help my family with," said Garcia.
In 2006 after graduating, Garcia came to Dubai to work for a German automotive company. "It was great job and I have fond memories of Dubai."
Tough decision
In Dubai, Garcia would gamely sing in karaoke bars not only to have fun with friends but to nurture a lifelong dream of becoming a singer. "In my heart, I was just patiently waiting for a chance. This burning passion to become a professional singer was so strong that I just couldn't put it out. In Dubai I was happy with my my job and was also helping my family. Life was good but I knew it wasn't all there was."
Something bigger was in store for Garcia. And true enough, the opportunity of a lifetime came when she was accepted as one of the scholars of Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) Season Two — a reality celebrity search aired on Philippine TV.
Leaving her stable job in Dubai to pursue her ambition was a tough decision for Garcia. "It was a very difficult choice considering I was all set in Dubai. But my dream was bigger than my emotion, so I followed my heart and became a scholar."
And that made all the difference for her. The PDA experience, she admits, changed her in many ways. From a not-so-confident but promising talent, Garcia bloomed into a fantastic performer. "I distinctly remember one of the judges telling me that I had the potential to become an international singer and that my voice and my looks had a cosmopolitan appeal. I could be singing well on stage and making people sing along with me, no matter where they were from."
Competition
Apart from becoming more confident, Garcia also learned how to temper her emotions. Living with people with different personalities in a house that had cameras all over the place was, according to her, a character-building experience. She made friends with housemates Cris and Sen, but had to deal with really competitive contestants who were all determined to win the big prize.
"We all knew it was a competition but that didn't stop me from making friends. That was my nature, and inside I knew I needed friends who could support me and whom I could support in return."
On the final night of the show, four scholars took to the life-changing stage. They had personally and professionally transformed over the course of their stay in the academy, but that moment defined their careers.
Garcia sang I am Changing and though she admitted she had some off-key moments, it was a performance the judges and the audience would remember. "The journey has just begun for me. I was a bit sad because the whole experience ended, but also excited because I am looking forward to bigger and better things in my life. Now, my dream has come true and there could not be any bigger prize than that," she says.
Five things you want to know about Liezel Garcia
Musical influence: Mariah Carey, Beyonce Knowles, Kyla, Lani Misalucha, Jaya, Sarah Geronimo and Ella Mae Saison.
Musical instrument she plays: Guitar (basic chords only.)
Musical instrument she'd like to learn: Piano and drums.
Greatest achievement: "When I graduated and when I was chosen as a finalist in Pinoy Dream Academy."
Biggest frustration: "I want to be a model but I know I'll never be one because I'm too small."
Song of my life: On The Side Of Angels.
