Music pretty much runs in the family of Jayda. As the daughter of OPM icons Dingdong Avanzado and Jessa Zaragoza, it’s no surprise that she has accomplished so much since starting her career two years ago at the age of 15.
After signing with Star Music, she released her EP and that same year became a special guest in the hit Manila concert of former One Direction member Niall Horan.
The extent of Jayda’s talents was further showcased when she became involved in several collaboration projects with Renn Miko from Indonesia in the song “Crazy About,” Jeremy G for “Perfectly Imperfect” and Darren Espanto for her first Filipino track, “Sana Tayo Na.”
As an icing to the cake, Jayda also won the 2019 Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist. 2020 was supposed to be an even bigger year for her when the pandemic struck.
Jayda, however, is obviously not the type who will let her idle time go to waste. So when she got invited to be part of an all-female line-up of stellar artists for “Heal,” a Southeast Asian collaboration track launched by ABS-CBN Music, she did not think twice about accepting it.
An inspirational song composed and collaborated by Jonathan Manalo, Xela and MOOPHS, “Heal” took shape while the Covid-19 coronavirus was wreaking havoc on a global scale. Over-all produced by Jonathan Manalo, this record talks about healing, choosing love to overcome all the hate and negativities across the world.
The artists for the project are Yura Yunita and Rinni Wulandari from Indonesia, Valentina Ploy from Thailand, Haneri and Haven from Singapore, and Shalma Eliana and DOLLA from Malaysia.
Aside from Jayda, six other artists from the Philippines also lent their talents for the project namely Moira dela Torre, KZ Tandingan, Jona, Kyla, Lesha, and Xela. All participating artists will also donate their royalties (earned from the songs’ streams, views and downloads) for the benefit of ABS-CBN Foundation’s Pantawid Ng Pag-ibig program that will benefit Filipino families affected by the still ongoing pandemic.
In a recent interview with SoundStrip, Jayda discusses her involvement in “Heal,” life in quarantine and her immediate post-pandemic plans.
1) What was the extent of your involvement in the “Heal” project?
The song was pitched to me by the head of my label, which he described as an inspirational track/collaboration with Southeast Asian artists, around a month before my recording session. I personally felt like it was something I could definitely get behind, and so I was stoked to be part of something so timely and uplifting. I was pretty down to do it.
For my solo parts, I worked with my long-time collaborator (the co-writer and producer of “Heal”), Jonathan Manalo, to craft some counterpoint melodies for that post-chorus section. I really enjoyed that process since it was a chance for me to showcase my individuality and put my own stamp on the song, as an artist, in a track that is a melting pot of singers with different styles and each with their own thing to offer, but with one common goal; to inspire people.
2) What do you miss now that you’re spending almost all of your time at home?
I had quite a bit of a year ahead of me prior to the pandemic. A couple of live performances and events, which definitely took a hit. Plus I had plans to take my music outside of the country as well, which is still the on-going game plan for me nevertheless, but we’re trying to navigate and work with some restrictions that have been in place at the moment due to everything that’s been going on. But thankfully, I’ve been managing to adapt to the current situation at hand and am able to continue on sharing my music and my passion for it in new ways.
I miss live performances more than anything, there’s really nothing like the adrenaline rush of performing to a crowd, which is something I look forward to getting back to one day. But other than that, I also miss physical, face to face interaction with people; my friends and loved ones. Other simple things I miss are, going to the gym, dining in restaurants, hangouts at the cinema with my friends and really just going out in general, I think.
3) How did you try to fine-tune your craft during the lockdown?
I’ve definitely still been at it, and have been continuing to work on my craft! I think a silver lining I saw in the midst of this whole thing is that as an artist, I was really able to focus on challenging myself creatively as both a singer and a songwriter, and letting those creative juices flow. I’ve been writing songs quite a bit. I recently started writing in Tagalog too (which is the main language of the Philippines and something completely new and exciting to me since English is my first language.). I seriously can’t wait to put out the music I’ve been working on.
4) What about non-musical activities or endeavors that also took up your time?
Some non-musical activities that I’ve been keeping myself busy with are home workouts, since now more than ever is the time to keep our bodies healthy and fit. Another thing would have to be house plants, which have been a nice addition to my household. Besides having some supposed benefits like purifying the air and whatnot, they’ve added to the overall aesthetic of the house. It’s been nice trying my hand at having a bit of a green thumb.
Finally, I’d probably say, make-up is something that I’ve tried to practice a bit more since it’s also part of my job in the industry; knowing how to make yourself look your best, especially during a time like this wherein having a glam team is not the most accessible and easiest thing to have at the moment. I’ve been trying to get better at it and figure out new techniques that work for me.
5) What post-pandemic activities do you see yourself getting involved in?
I see myself getting back to doing live shows for sure, as soon as possible! I look forward to hanging out with friends and people I love, reuniting with them and getting to make up for lost time with them.
I think if there’s anything I’d change about my pre-pandemic self, I would’ve probably gone out a little more prior to it, and savored some simple trips to the mall and going out to eat, and also hanging out with friends more.
I’d probably tell my pre-pandemic self to really cherish those moments with your friends and colleagues since you won’t be seeing them for quite a bit. Never take any moment with them for granted.