Si Julia Faith Joaquin ang beteranang singing champion sa Bohol nga nikulit og pangan sa “Tawag ng Tanghalan” Season 1 sa It’s Showtime isip 5-time defending champion. Kaduha na siya nidaug nga Best Interpreter ug Grand Champion sa “Sandugo Songwriting Festival” sa Bohol niadtong 2017 ug 2019. Nahimo sad siyang voice/dubbing artist sa “Annie” sa Disney’s Little Einstein sa TV5 ug na-featured sa 107.9FM Wish Bus diin iyang naka-duet ang anak ni Martin Nievera.
Bisan sa nasinating pandemya karon wala gyud siya mabakante. Duna siyay acoustic duo nga “The Juls Duo” ug siya usab ang bokalista sa bandang “Diwata” nga nidaug sa kantang “Paanud” niadtong Pebrero 13 atol sa “Himo’g Huni Ikatulong Hugna Bisaya Songwriting Contest” sa Bohol. Samtang sa buntag usa siya ka medical student sa kursong Occupational Therapy sa Cebu Doctors University.
Ang iyang determinasyon sa kinabuhi usa ka testimonya sa ka mahinungdanon sa papel sa kababayen-an sa atong katilingban ug angayan lang nga pasidunggan nunot sa Women’s Month Celebration nga gisaulog karong tibuok buwan sa Marso. Julia Faith Joaquin, Ssssuper Ka!
Kinsay naka-influence nimo sa pagkanta?
My mama and my lola. When I was a kid I remember how they always wanted me to sing-along with their favorite songs on radio. My mom has been my companion all throughout the process of my journey and I know I would have not made it if not for her. She was the whole definition of a ‘stage mom’.
How was your journey as a singer?
It was full of ups and downs. I started singing in amateur singing contests when I was only four but never had the luck in winning. My classmates would bully me by calling me a “goat” because of my uncontrolled vibrato. But eventually I improved when I became a scholar at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Los Banos, Laguna at the age of 13. It was a dorm school and it was a whole new different world for me where I learned to live independently. Then, two years after when I first joined Tawag ng Tanghalan (TNT) Season 1 and became a defending champion. Although I only defended it twice but this motivated me to train even more. I got enrolled in a classical music in University of Santo Tomas. I was also trained by a UP Dilliman music graduate and by a “maestro” in Bohol. Then I joined again TNT in 2017 and that was when I became a 5-time defending champion. But during the semi-finals I broke down on national TV after I placed at the bottom of the text votes. Vice Ganda and Ate Anne Curtis comforted me. It was so humiliating `cuz I couldn’t control my emotions. I was not that mature yet and seeing those negative comments on social media just aggravated the situation.
What did you learn from that experience?
That experience I’m so grateful because it helps me become who I am now. I’ve learned to trust in the Lord with all my mind and all my heart and not to lean on my own understanding (Proverbs 3:5) because there is more wisdom when you grow your relationship with the Lord.
How would you describe yourself?
I’m the eldest that’s why maybe I have a strong personality and I would do everything in my power to protect my two sisters. I’m kinda emotional at times but because of my strong faith in God I learned to live in His grace.
Where do you perform now?
Before the pandemic, “The Juls Duo” used to perform at “The Hideout Foodpark”, “Balay Aninipot,” and other beach resorts in Bohol, and other events like weddings. I also have a new band named “Diwata” that plays jazz fusion. My acoustic singing partner-guitarist is actually also my boyfriend for three years now. We named ourselves “The Juls Duo” because his name is Jules. We almost have the same name. He wrote me a song “Julia” which is now out on Spotify. He also arranges songs for me since he operates his own recording studio. But we have opposite personalities because he’s the shy, soft-spoken type.
How would you like to see yourself 5 to 10 years from now?
A professional licensed Occupational Therapist that has made a mark as well in the music industry and musical theater and has reached various places in the world. I just want to be successful and make my parents proud and just let things be done according to God’s will.
