BELIEVE Benefit Concert Backstage Pass

By Rowena Vergara

Last Sunday, March 28th, singer/songwriter Manny Garcia, with the help of University of Illinois at Chicago’s Filipinos in Alliance, hosted the 2^nd Benefit Concert for nonprofit BELIEVE International, which stands for Building Effective Leadership, Integrity, Excellence, and Values through Education. Backstage, BakitWhy.com briefly caught up with some of the artists. And what we found is that Barack Obama, pho, and the movie “Dumb and Dumber” are just some of their favorite people, foods and flicks:

LEEJAY ABUCAYAN

BW: When was the last time you were in the Philippines and what was it like emotionally for you?

Leejay: 2004. I remember really good, cheap food. I ended up performing with South Border. … It was emotionally overwhelming in so many ways. We learn about our culture here, but it was so worthwhile to see it there. There was joy, frustration and sadness from seeing all the poverty. … But as I said, it was all about the food.
 
BW: What is your favorite movie of all-time?

Leejay: “Dumb and Dumber.” It’s untouchable. I grew up with it. I could probably recite it from beginning to end.
 
BW: What’s the best advice someone has ever given to you, or best piece of advice you’ve heard that has really spoken to you?

Leejay: I quote it all the time from Conan O’Brien. On his last show he said, “If you work really, really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen.” It has become my new life mantra.
 
MELISSA POLINAR

BW: When was the last time you were in the Philippines and what was that like emotionally?

Melissa: It was actually a long time ago. I was in fourth grade. I visited my dad’s province in Bohol, where the famous Chocolate Hills are. I met some cousins who I’ve never known. I’d love to visit again sometime in the future. It’s not out of the question.
 
BW: What is your favorite city to visit?

Melissa: I actually love Chicago. The last time I was here in January, I had a day with Jeff DeGuia (of Manila Star Events). He took me to Millennium Park, where the Bean is … it’s urban, but it’s not too intense for me. Chicago has that cool balance.
 
BW: Who is one person you’ve always wanted to meet?

Melissa: I’ve always wanted to meet Stevie Wonder - not only meet him, but work with him.
 
ALFA GARCIA

BW: When were you last in the Philippines and what was it like?

Alfa: 2004. It was my aunt’s wedding, but we got to spend some time in Manila. My family is actually from Mindanao. … Because I got to spend more time in Manila, I kind of realized that I’m more of a provincial girl (smiles). I just felt like it wasn’t what I was familiar with.
 
BW: If you could meet anyone, who would it be and why?

Alfa: One would probably be Joni Mitchell. She is the epitome of the introspective female singer/songwriter. Her lyrics are just unbelievable.
 
BW: What’s your favorite comfort food and why?

Alfa: Pho! Hands down. (She prefers beef pho specifically.) Anytime I’m feeling a little sick I have it. And I just learned how to make it, too.
 
THE ROXAS BROTHERS: Anthony & Voltaire Roxas

BW: Are there any traits that your brother has, that you wish you had, too?

Anthony: I’m not really a techy guy. I’m like technologically challenged.
Voltaire: I wish I was more open. As far as talking about my feelings. And I wish I had his dancing skills (chuckles).
 
BW: What is your best childhood memory together?

Voltaire: It’s always been music. It’s really our only common thing. With music, we connect on a different level.
 
BW: If you could meet anyone, who would it be?

Anthony: John Mayer. He’s my hero. I look up to him as a guitar player.
Voltaire: Barack Obama. I just want to see how it is for a day, to be in the shoes of the first non-white United States president.
 
BW: What’s the best advice anyone’s given you, or words of wisdom that have spoken to you?

Voltaire: My mom always said: "Study. Study hard. Even if you lose everything, your job and all your material possessions, you’ll always have your knowledge."
 
ASHLEE BARRERA

BW: When was the last time you were in the Philippines and what was it like?

Ashlee: Last summer. It was very refreshing to be home again and be home with my family. It was definitely different because the last I was there I was a lot younger. I didn’t know how I’d react to everything, but when I saw my cousins older, I started to tear up. I couldn’t believe I was in the Philippines.
 
BW: What do you love most about singing/performing?

Ashlee: It’s a different kind of release for me. It’s just how I express myself. If I lost everything else, and I still had singing, I’d stay sane.
 
BW: Who is someone you would want to meet and why?

Ashlee: Paul McCartney. I love The Beatles and if I were a teenager in the ‘60s, he would be my crush. I think he’s amazing musically.
 
MANNY GARCIA

BW: What’s your favorite comfort food & why?

Manny: My Lola’s brownies. I don’t know what’s in it. The recipe is top secret; she doesn’t share it. It’s just the love she puts in it. … It’s one of my fondest childhood memories.
 
BW: What’s something many people don’t know about you?

Manny: That I’m really, really shy. I’m super shy. I don’t know why.
 
BW: What’s the riskiest, most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Manny: On vacation in the Philippines, I jumped off of a 15-foot cliff into the ocean. I’m not a heights person. It was such a big deal for me. When I was jumping, all the locals were just telling me to keep your legs together when you’d hit the water (laughs). 

BELIEVE (BakitWhy Interview Teaser)