I always knew she'd make a name for herself; it was only a matter of time. Her talents, wits and distinct voice make her worth all the attention she's getting. As I recall way back in high school, she was one of the girls I instantly became in awe of. She's very smart (she's always made it to the honor roll) and creative (may it be with doodles or anything about music), not to mention very sweet! She's awesome (OMG, she's one of the most sensible persons I know) and she's on a one-way-ticket ride to indie music fame.
I'll let you do the reading and see for yourself.
Plumpies, I want you all to meet a good friend of mine, and a very talented musican, VICA, OF REESE AND VICA! :)
It was challenging at first because we had pretty different styles and different (yet equally weird) personalities. But ever since that performance, opportunities just kept knocking at our door and we didn't dare turn them down. The rest is history. It's all happening pretty fast actually - considering the fact that we've only been a duo for less than a year but have already gone through so much. We tease one another that our relationship is like a whirlwind love affair.
Would you ever use your fame to empower females in the fight against body discrimination?
I think anyone famous who's brave and honest enough to be who they really are would already be contributing to that fight. The problem with celebrities (especially local ones) is that they actually transform, often drastically, before our very eyes. They impress upon us the idea that it's fine to undergo plastic surgery and to take certain pills in order to look like everybody else, and that's just sad.
I don't think I would ever want myself (or anyone else) to be pressured into changing for the sake of being liked or gaining more fans. If anything, I would want people to love me for my music and if they think my size makes me any less worth listening to then they're just being silly.
What is your size?
14/16 UK.
Favorite store?
Dorothy Perkins, Zara, Topshop, Bayo, Ukay
Favorite pieces of clothing to wear?
Skirts and heels! I've always been a girly-girl and although I instinctively grab a pair of denim shorts on a school day (especially when I'm running late!), I always try to find a way to make myself look more feminine. When I do have the luxury of taking my precious time to dress up in the morning, I usually wear a skirt and a pair of pumps. I'm the kind of girl who likes to wear heels in school in spite of the brick roads, gravelly paths and amused stares that I come across.
On the other hand, my appearance is my own. If they don't like the way I look, then too bad because I'm not going to change it just for them.
Message to other Plump Pinays:
Just be yourself. If people are dumb enough not to see your talent and beauty shine through regardless of how you look, then they aren't worth the trouble. You should always consider what makes YOU happy first because at the end of the day, you're going to be the one who's going to spend the most time with yourself anyway.
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How did you form Reese & Vica (as a band)?
Reese and I met during my freshman year in Ateneo (2007). We were at an activity organized by the music org that we're members of and when I heard her sing, I instantly knew that I wanted to collaborate with her! We've always wanted to perform together but have never really gotten the chance to. It wasn't until November of 2009 that we finally made it happen. It was a spur of the moment thing. The org needed performers for an Acoustic Night at Magnet Katipunan and I decided to find out if Reese was interested in doing a set together. Fortunately, she was!
It was challenging at first because we had pretty different styles and different (yet equally weird) personalities. But ever since that performance, opportunities just kept knocking at our door and we didn't dare turn them down. The rest is history. It's all happening pretty fast actually - considering the fact that we've only been a duo for less than a year but have already gone through so much. We tease one another that our relationship is like a whirlwind love affair.
Despite your awesome angelic voice and musical talent (I just had to compliment you), have you ever been discriminated in the music industry because of your size? How did you feel about it and how did you act in the situation? Have you ever been told to lose weight by the people in the music industry?
I guess the good thing about being 'underground' or 'indie' (basically, not being famous) is that people genuinely like you for your music. We do have managers, but I'm grateful that they accept me for who I am and even throughout the whole process of finding a way to 'package' or market us - my weight was never an issue and they never implied that I should change the way I am for the sake of creating a pretty image.
Admittedly, it's hard for me sometimes because Reese is the exact opposite of me (in terms of appearance as well as personality) and there are gigs when my insecurities do kick in because I'm aware of how amazing she is. I just try to keep in mind that what we're doing still always boils down to our music and our talent, and I'm confident enough in myself to know that my being bigger is no hindrance at all in delivering a good performance. At the end of the day, as a musician, sounding amazing always matters more than whether you looked great at a gig or not.
If Reese and I do attempt to go more mainstream then I fully expect a barrage of comments about my weight because I'm obviously not the ideal size nor do I have the ideal look. Full-figured women have always been associated with belters (remember what Mercedes said in Glee?) but even I don't have the chops for that. So where does that leave me? I know I'm different, but being different shouldn't always be equated to being bad.
Admittedly, it's hard for me sometimes because Reese is the exact opposite of me (in terms of appearance as well as personality) and there are gigs when my insecurities do kick in because I'm aware of how amazing she is. I just try to keep in mind that what we're doing still always boils down to our music and our talent, and I'm confident enough in myself to know that my being bigger is no hindrance at all in delivering a good performance. At the end of the day, as a musician, sounding amazing always matters more than whether you looked great at a gig or not.
If Reese and I do attempt to go more mainstream then I fully expect a barrage of comments about my weight because I'm obviously not the ideal size nor do I have the ideal look. Full-figured women have always been associated with belters (remember what Mercedes said in Glee?) but even I don't have the chops for that. So where does that leave me? I know I'm different, but being different shouldn't always be equated to being bad.
What do you want your music to impress on your listeners?
Our songs are very melody driven and our lyrics tend to have a lot of imagery and fairytale references. We generally want to exude a sense of positivity and (yes - even if it'll sound lame) magic! I just think that everytime Reese and I get together to write a new song, something really beautiful happens and we want our listeners to feel the same joy we do everytime we create something we're proud of.
I think anyone famous who's brave and honest enough to be who they really are would already be contributing to that fight. The problem with celebrities (especially local ones) is that they actually transform, often drastically, before our very eyes. They impress upon us the idea that it's fine to undergo plastic surgery and to take certain pills in order to look like everybody else, and that's just sad.
I don't think I would ever want myself (or anyone else) to be pressured into changing for the sake of being liked or gaining more fans. If anything, I would want people to love me for my music and if they think my size makes me any less worth listening to then they're just being silly.
What is your size?
14/16 UK.
Favorite store?
Dorothy Perkins, Zara, Topshop, Bayo, Ukay
Favorite pieces of clothing to wear?
Skirts and heels! I've always been a girly-girl and although I instinctively grab a pair of denim shorts on a school day (especially when I'm running late!), I always try to find a way to make myself look more feminine. When I do have the luxury of taking my precious time to dress up in the morning, I usually wear a skirt and a pair of pumps. I'm the kind of girl who likes to wear heels in school in spite of the brick roads, gravelly paths and amused stares that I come across.
How do you want people to see your style on stage and off?
It's definitely interesting that Reese and I have different styles. She's more quirky and funky while I'm generally just more subdued and 'classic' looking. I have a lot of blacks, greys and whites in my wardrobe. Everything's simple and feminine. The way I dress on stage is the same way I dress when I'm not. I'm aware that I'm a performer, but I just think that as a musician - the person you present when you sing has to be an honest reflection of who you really are. Pretending to be otherwise would just be silly.
Where do you get your confidence from?
I definitely get a lot of my confidence and strength from my friends. They've always been so supportive and amazing. I tend to be self-critical so I do have moments when I feel completely wretched. I'm grateful I have them around to remind me that I should be proud of who I am. :)
Where do you get your confidence from?
I definitely get a lot of my confidence and strength from my friends. They've always been so supportive and amazing. I tend to be self-critical so I do have moments when I feel completely wretched. I'm grateful I have them around to remind me that I should be proud of who I am. :)
How important are other people’s perception of you to you?
When it's about my attitude then it definitely matters to me, but if it's just about the way I look then I just shrug it off. Character and personality are things that affect other people, so when others think a certain way about me because of how I act, I take the time to actually find out and think about what they say.On the other hand, my appearance is my own. If they don't like the way I look, then too bad because I'm not going to change it just for them.
Message to other Plump Pinays:
Just be yourself. If people are dumb enough not to see your talent and beauty shine through regardless of how you look, then they aren't worth the trouble. You should always consider what makes YOU happy first because at the end of the day, you're going to be the one who's going to spend the most time with yourself anyway.
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Go, go, go Vica! I know you have a lot in store for you, so keep shining! :) Hear Vica sing! Check out this video of her with her partner Reese, doing what they do best. I love how they totally exude a vintage, laid back, hippie vibe. Their songs do sound magical. They're just lovely!
Big ♥,
Danah