CONSTANT LEARNING
Alexa Ilacad on channeling heartbreak into music
TALENT runs in Alexa Ilacad’s family. As a scion of the famous Ilacad family known for their involvement in shaping numerous musical artists and also later producing films that did very well in the box office, it comes as no surprise that Alexa has become a sought after singer and actress.
Recently, she became one of the celebrity housemates in the latest season of Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10.
Last year, Alexa’s original song, “Love At First Sight”, was nominated for Awit Award’s Best Pop Recording. Prior to even entering the PBB House in 2021, Alexa released “Stay Right Here” and is set to drop new music this 2022.
Alexa’s music are usually characterized by her catchy pop tunes and high pitch vocals. Already a promising actress, Alexa is also a talented singer who can give life to every song she performs, especially the ones she wrote herself.
As such, it is no wonder Alexa decided to expand her vocal storytelling skills with her latest single, “Paano.” A pop ballad about heartbreak, Alexa states that the song was written in 2016 during a car ride one rainy day.
“For ‘Paano’ specifically, I wrote this in 2016 fresh from heartbreak. And I really wasn’t into writing songs back then, but I didn’t know how I could channel my emotions. I had so many questions in my head,”
One car ride later, Alexa had all the lyrics planned out. Sensing she had something special in her hands, she sought the help of her best friend, Eunice Jorge of Gracenote, who also helped produce Alexa’s first album.
“I knew what I felt, and all the questions I had in my head, the lines I wanted to write down. I really wanted a song out of this pain I’m feeling,” she explained.
So they got to work, experimenting with different styles until the originally acoustic sound of “Paano” turned into an electropop tidal wave that complemented Alexa’s harrowing, desperate vocals.
“The first draft was just an acoustic version, and we really wanted something similar to ‘Love at First Sight’ and ‘Stay Right Here’ which is really more pop. So Eunice adjusted it to give it a really unique sound,”
Throughout this process, Alexa also shared that she learned how to simply let things go, especially her work.
“I get really greedy,” she admitted, stating that she treats every song she writes as her own child. “But Eunice really taught me that’s why you have a producer—you have to collaborate and you have to be open to criticism and comments,”
Additionally, this project also inspired Alexa to be excited about the current direction of her career, hopefully making a mark in the international scene in the near future.
“I believe I’m only as good as my last work and I’m really passionate about what I do and I’ve done my best to secure my spot in the industry,” she said.
Alexa Ilacad’s “Paano” and her other songs are now streaming in Spotify and other major digital platforms.