No labels for Hazel Faith

MANILA, Philippines — Singer-actress-songwriter. That is such a unique label to be accorded to a young artist. And Curve Entertainment talent Hazel Faith de la Cruz will undoubtedly be pleased no end to be called as such. Yet, Hazel refuses to think of labels. For her, as long as she can be creative in whatever medium, then she’s happy and fulfilled.

Hazel Faith didn’t originally aspire to become a singer. Although she could carry a tune at a tender age of three, she honed her voice in the church choir and flexed her vocal chords by participating in singing contests.

The only rose and middle child among three siblings, Hazel Faith completed her Architecture degree at the Mapua Institute of Technology. After graduation, she worked as a junior architect. Apparently, however, that was not God’s plan for this steadily rising talent.

“I was working as something else when I realized that singing was really my happiness,” Hazel Faith asserts. “I tried going a few months without singing and I almost went crazy. When I finally sang again after month of not doing so, something came alive inside of me and it just felt right.”

Hazel Faith decided it was the “best time” to go after what she really loves. “I was young enough to afford failure, so I took the risk,” she acknowledges. “Glad to say I’m still doing my passion for a living.”

While Hazel Faith was in college, she joined the Glee Send Off To Hollywood contest, launched by Solar Entertainment, the network that aired the series locally. Hazel Faith, being an avid fan of the TV musical series, performed her original song, Can’t Comprehend. For her once-in-a-lifetime experience, she was fortunate enough to go to the US and was given a walk-in part in the show.

After that brief, but memorable stint in Glee, Hazel Faith received a number of acting opportunities in the local front. She copped the lead role in the historical musical, Ang Kababaihan ng Malolos. She also played a bit role in the GMA 7 afternoon series, Kasalanan Ba’ng Ibigin Ka. Then, Hazel Faith also became part of GMA 7’s Bayani-serye, Ilustrado.

In 2014, Hazel Faith played best friend to Jodi Sta. Maria in the highly successful ABS-CBN daily morning series, Be Careful With My Heart. Then, Hazel Faith got a rare chance to work with Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos, in director Jeffrey Jeturian’s Ekstra. The young artist relished that great opportunity to be seen on the big screen with the award-winning actress.

“Acting is another form of creation I enjoy,” Hazel Faith allows. “So if the industry pleases, I’d love to pursue acting further. That will be kind of unique. To be called a singer-actress-songwriter.”

Meanwhile, Hazel Faith exercised her songwriting talent to the fore when her original composition, Everything Takes Time, made it to the finals of the 2014 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs. Yes, she discovered that she could also write songs.

“It isn’t so much discovering, I think, more of taking notice of it,” Hazel Faith clarifies. “I remember crying of happiness the first time I heard my song fully arranged. Suddenly, it was possible for the ideas in my head to become reality. Becoming finalist for Himig Handog twice was a very encouraging experience. Now, I’m writing for other artists, as well and I just get giddy calling myself a songwriter.”

With her sterling accomplishment in music, Hazel Faith notched a recording contract with Curve Entertainment in 2015. Her latest recording, the upbeat pop song, Kinikilig, was recently released and notched a best dance recording nomination in the 30th Awit Awards. To date, the song has charted over a million hits on YouTube.

Kinikilig is one of the tracks in the Extended Play (EP) of Hazel’s Keep the Faith album, set to be released this month. Other selections include ‘Di Na Kita Mahal featuring Michael Pangilinan, I Love You Goodbye, Total Eclipse of the Heart, Plastic and Love Fades, the current single. A special holiday single, Santa Dear, will also be released.