When we talk of computers, smartphones, and tablets, a reboot happens when we shut down, then restart a device to clear data, install an update, or fix glitches.

A hard reboot refers to the device having frozen, and needing a more manipulated, intentional restart.

After speaking to the musical artist Gigi de Lana, and her manager Volter John Caber, I’m reminded of the term ‘hard reboot’, as the two speak of her evolution as an artist, and the violent reaction it got from many who had once considered themselves part of her loyal fanbase. 

So, while I employ the adjective ‘hard’ in the sense of a strong, qualitative break from the ‘Gigi Version I’ that gained popularity during the COVID health crisis, it’s also used to denote the difficult path that to this day, makes Gigi get sensitive and hurt by the bashers that just won’t go away, as they find it so hard to accept her metamorphosis into the more mature, fierce, and independent artist that she is today.

Me, I find this new Gigi a far more compelling iteration of how a musical artist grows, evolves, will try new things, and stretch her creativity and vision. 

While I know there are those out there who consider themselves music aficionados or fans, and want to preserve their musical artist in some time warp, locked in a box, or churning out endless renditions of what is essentially the same set of tunes; I find it more exciting to join the artist as she or he exhibits growth, new passions, and transfigures time and time again. It’s part of their progress and maturation - and if we seek it for ourselves, for our children, our family and friends - why can’t we accept that these creatives and artists would want to experience the same thing? 

I get to thinking of the artistic journey of David Bowie, who was the original musical chameleon - changing looks and genres of music like he was picking clothes from off his closet rack. I may not have loved every single chapter of his ever-evolving career, but I was ready to give him the benefit of the doubt, and it was interesting to note that my preferences would change over time.

And we now look back, and admire a musical path that’s like no other. 

For Gigi, “My singing today is all about feeling, it’s my form of expression. Its story-telling via the music and the singing. Admittedly, my evolution has many fans confused. I think that confusion comes from a genuine place of love, which makes it worth taking seriously.”

“When you’ve connected with a version of someone, change can feel like a revision of something you thought was finished. When people fall in love with a version of you, change can feel like a betrayal, even if it’s not.”

“What I want them to know is: the thing they connected with, the sincerity of it, has not changed. The packaging has evolved. The creative territory has expanded. But I’m not running away from who I was. I’m building on her.”

Gigi and Volter are aware that the then change in look, in outfits, and in the style of music, would not please everyone. But as they set about creating the refreshed Gigi de Lana ‘brand Bible’, the impetus was to define what ‘This Is Me’ means to Gigi, and to properly establish that this is her space; and it precisely wasn’t about just pleasing people, but first being true to herself. 

Collaborations with Ben & Ben ("Ulap"), and more recently with Sponge Cola ("Naghihilom"), signal how this new era of Gigi de Lana holds so much promise. I ask her if these collaborations were just a coincidence, or part of a pattern, a plan. There is no plan as such, but when pressed to mention, at the top of her head, who she would like to collaborate with, she mentions Kitchie Nadal, Rico Blanco, Bamboo; and is very proud of how she was part of mid-May’s MaestroClass of Ryan Cayabyab. 

Our National Artist for Music specifically requested for Gigi to join his Burt Bacharach tribute; and sing along with Bituin Escalante, Jett Pangan, and Sofronio Vasquez III. I was at the first night of this 3rd edition of Maestro Class, and Gigi’s "A House Is Not Home" made everyone in the theater want to take her home.

Her version of "This Guy’s In Love" turned the plaintive, yearning tune into a sultry, torch song - and trust me, the Senior Citizen card-carrying crowd of Ryan perked up, and all loved this number.

I joke Gigi about how her participation in this concert would open up a new demographic for her fanbase, and she was happy with the thought.

Gigi’s dream is to sing all kinds of genres, and not limit herself to one image or musical direction. 

Gigi de Lana loves animals! She has 32 cats, 2 dogs, and a snake. Asked who’s her favorite, she diplomatically says she loves them all, and I remind her that they’re not listening, and can’t read. She laughs, and admits it’s a cat named Lilo. She even explains that while she knows cats don’t generally show affection, Lilo has a special ‘miaow’ for when Gigi is around, and needs to know she is loved. 

"Don’t Believe Everything You Think" of Joseph Nguyen is one of Gigi’s favorite books of the moment. Spiritual and Self-Help are the kinds of books she leans towards, as they help her navigate herself through this phase of her life.

Gigi is an only child, and was raised by a single Mom, who passed away two years ago, in 2024. Gigi was the family breadwinner from the age of 12; so you’ll forgive her for thinking she’s gone through a lot in her thirty years. One small mercy she’s pleased to recount is that her mother did witness her breakthrough, and was around when her solo musical career took off. Typical stage mother that she was though, Lana reminisces about how her Mom would still criticize her choice of attire, or complain about which song Gigi chose to cover. 

Gigi loves to cook, and she does love to eat. She’s one of those blessed with a metabolism that allows her to eat more than most people, and yet stay skinny and reed thin.

She has a sweet tooth, and don’t even think of going equal portions with her when sharing dessert, as if its her type, she’s counting on consuming the lion’s share. 

Much was written recently of her having fainted, for the second time, at a concert. Diagnosed with pericarditis, that the doctors presume came as a viral infection; its good to know, and we are among the first she says this to, that it would seem she’s now over the infection. That she’ll be more careful in the future goes without saying, as it was a scare that involved labored breathing and chest pains - not exactly the best of symptoms for a singer. 

There’s much more we talk about during the lunch I shared with Gigi and Volter; but I’m manifesting here that we’ll converse about all that when I convince her to join me on an episode of the Manila Bulletin’s "The Sit Down."

Her affinity to horror films watched in a cinema, her wanting to jumpstart and pursue an acting career, her treadmill and boxing, her special Foie Gras with Chocolate - you’ll have to tune in to that "Sit Down" episode. For now, its enough to say that Gigi has a firm grasp of where she wants to go artistically. She would love for us to all join her on the journey - but she knows she can’t make everyone ‘sign up’, or be forever happy with her choices. As she emphasizes, “Stay curious about where this goes. I am. And I’d rather take that journey with you than without you.”

Me, I think it’s great that she has those 32 cats on her side. As that’s a chorus of approving miaows that I hear!