The coronavirus pandemic is exceptionally challenging time for start-ups, and it means fewer opportunities even for aspiring talents.
Still, young singer Shaniah Rollo is undaunted. In an interview with Bulletin Entertainment, the Pinay based in Ireland says that because hers is God-given talent, no one can take that away from her nor keep her from using it.
"Ito po kasi talaga yung gusto ko, ang pagkanta. Ito po yung binigay sa'kin kaya dito ko po nakikita ang sarili ko," she said when asked why she’s not thinking of doing something else in a time when the entertainment industry is crippled by the pandemic.
"Ito yung talent na binigay ni God kaya sa tingin ko po ito yung path na gusto niya para sa'kin."
Although performing in front of people makes her happy, she admits there was a time when she would wage war with her stage fright each and every time she needed to lift her voice in song.
Fortunately, the passion for music won.
"Parang nahihiya po ako dati eh. Kinakabahan ako. Until dahil ito nga po yung gusto, inaral ko po kung paano ko mao-overcome yun. Unti unti habang ninanamnam ko yung mga kanta, dun po nawala na yung hiya at kaba ko," she said.
Who’s that girl?
The 16-year-old singer and her family moved to Ireland in 2016. Good thing she didn't have a hard time adjusting as there are many Filipinos there.
She inherited her love for singing from her musician dad.
"Si papa po ang nagtrain sa'kin. Siya po yung isa sa mga influences ko din. Masaya din na ito po yung bonding namin together," Shaniah said.
The idols of these R&B singer are Ariana Grande and Sharon Cuneta. Shaniah hopes to collaborate with Michael Pangilinan and Sam Concepcion.
Quite disparate choices, eh?
"Ang tinitignan ko po kasi sa mga iniidolo ko po is yung stage presence nila. Tsaka kung paano po nila nilalagay yung puso nila sa bawat kanta," she explained.
With the help and guidance of her parents, she made her mark on "Ireland Got Talent." She landed a spot on “Eurovision Ireland.”
Apart from singing, Shaniah works behind the microphone, acting as producer of her own songs.
"Sabi po kasi ng papa ko, dapat hindi lang basta marunong kumanta. Dapat may alam ka din sa talaga sa mga tunog, kumbaga maging maalam po sa music."
Shaniah and her family plan to return to the Philippines so she could further pursue her career here.
New Song
Shaniah has released the song "Complicated." The song talks about how a love can get complicated while experiencing it. It also tells the process of being in love and the complications and the risks one has to go to just to be able to achieve it.
Rosabella Jao Arribas of RJA Productions LLC produced the song available on all digital streaming and downloading platforms.