MUSIC LYF: Marissa Sanchez With A New Image With Slowing It Down

Marissa Sanchez is known to be a comedienne, and she still is, however things have changed for her recently with motherhood, life realizations and and the love of music that most of us think would never thought she would be listening. Now it time for her new phase in her life with an album that goes really mellow. 

"Slowing It Down" is her new album released under Universal Records. The album features English and Tagalog revivals and an original composition by Elmer Blancaflor titled “Eighteen.” Blancaflor also composed “Panghabang Buhay” and “Pag-Ibig Ko'y Pansinin” which were originally sung by Faith Cuneta and Jessa Zaragoza and Dingdong Avanzado, respectively.

The track listing includes “Panghabang Buhay,” “Pag-Ibig Ko'y Pansinin,” “You and Me Against the World,” “Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita,” “Help Me Forget,” “Eighteen,” “It Takes Too Long,” “Dindi,” “Sunlight” and “Sometimes.”

She also mentions that her brand of comedy has also evolved from the usual "green jokes" to more mellowed down but still ridiculously funny antics. She also shared that when she started her career, she was a dancer, then a theater actress, and from there she was discovered to do acting for TV and movies. Her last album was more of a novelty record was made 14 years ago, but with this new album she showcases her more serious side and appreciation of classics.

The album also comes with as small booklet (which she calls a "mini coffee table book") that is a dedication and biographical note of her life and the people she wanted to thank for her personal life and artistry.

Her Songs Of Choice and Influences

She explains, “It pertains more to my choice of songs and my persona. I used to be very loud, and my songs were throat-smashing (birit) songs.”

With her showbiz and stage experience, it's not surprising how Marissa made such a powerful impact on her audience during her heyday. Aside from her stints with Repertory, Villa Teatro and Dulaang U.P., she was also paid her dues in numerous bands and other professional stints since the '80s.

Through the years, she remains a loyal fan of Barbra Streisand, as well as prolific stage actress Pinky Amador. All throughout her colorful showbiz career, she also nurtured friendships with fellow singers such as Jessa Zaragoza who to this day ranks among her closest friends who has been generous with her moral support.

Marissa reveals how she got over her “birit phase” after watching one of Pinky's performances.

She recounts, “That's where I realized that singing at the top of your lungs doesn't make you a great singer. It was how she delivered. That eventually inspired me to rethink my whole approach to singing.”

Exuding a sense of peace and inner calm, Marissa speaks with much conviction about her faith. Her never-ending search for spirituality and truth eventually led to her conversion to the Foundation Fundamentalist Baptist Church, where she found the answers to many pressing questions.

She muses, “The primary reason I do want to bid green jokes goodbye is my faith. Continuing to be vulgar doesn't help me grow as a Christian. If I do this, I can draw people nearer to Christ, the source of all, and not to worldly things.And with the good Lord's gift of song, I can use this as an instrument to inspire with the guidance of my Mom's teachings.”

Now peacefully married, the proud mom strikes a healthy balance between family life and doing her corporate gigs. Visibly slimmer and healthier, the youthful-looking Marissa seems to be living a more purposeful and meaningful life.

Asked to name her favorite song, she quips: “Smile. The song says it all!”

Album Pre-Launch Event

In line with her album launch, Marissa will have a pre-launching event on August 28 at the Centerstage, T. Morato and a grand launch show at the Area 05 Events Place on October 29, which starts at 7:00 P.M. Tickets are priced at 1,000.