The brave new world of Moira dela Torre

On Friday, Sept. 13, the voice behind such hits as Titibo-Tibo, Malaya and Tagpuan will reverberate in the four corners of the Big Dome to show the world that, as the title aptly puts it, she’s braver after surviving perhaps the toughest three of her 25 years

When Moira dela Torre, 25, mounts the stage of the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Friday, Sept. 13, the audience will see a new, “braver” artist who has just survived perhaps three of the toughest of her 25 years, no thanks to a botched nose that kept her home and, for three months, sent her in and out of the hospital. Through it all, her husband singer-songwriter Jason Marvin Hernandez stayed close to her, giving her all the support he needed.

In this exclusive Conversation with Moira, she begged off from further discussing that unfortunate incident but in her recent guest appearance in the ABS-CBN show Magandang Buhay, she admitted that it almost cost her life had it not been arrested in time.

Mounted by Cornerstone Concerts with John Prats as director, Moira’s Big Dome concert is aptly titled Braver, with guests Daniel Padilla, December Avenue, Ben&Ben and the Top 5 finalists of Idol Philippines in which Moira served as a judge together with Regine Velasquez, Vice Ganda and James Reid. (For tickets, call 911-5555).

Hasn’t your nose problem affected your voice?

“For a while I became slightly nasal and was afraid it might get worse but I was attended to by the best of doctors so fortunately, it didn’t continue down that path.”

For the benefit of STAR readers not familiar with the incident, could you relate what and how it happened (clarify if that procedure was for noselifting)?

“My nose went on necrosis. I was unaware at the time of the gravity of what was happening that I opted to finish my job before I got myself treated. We found great doctors who saved my life, my eyesight and my voice. I am now 90 percent healed.” (Note: Beyond that, Moira can no longer make a statement about what really happened to her nose as advised by the legal council. There’s an NDA already between the management and the clinic who’s dealing with the case internally.)

What did you learn from that incident and what advice can you give your colleagues who might be thinking of doing the same?

“It can happen to absolutely anybody. So it would definitely help to always be prepared. Maybe an advice would be to educate yourself, research on possibilities and be prepared if in case it doesn’t turn out the way you planned. For me, it was making sure I got second, third opinions from other doctors. Assertiveness is key.”

Your Sept. 13 concert is your first after that incident. Can you assure your fans that you will sound like you did before or even better?

“I’d like to think I sound better. My voice is the same but the ‘gigil’ and the passion is not. I have discovered a greater appreciation, not just for my career but for my life and for the people around me.”

With husband Jason Marvin Hernandez

Any other “mistake” that you have committed and how did you correct it?

“I make so many mistakes. I used to be so hard on myself every time I do. But this time, I take it with a grain of salt and I determine myself to be better each time.”

For sure, marrying Jason is one decision that you are sure and happy about. So how has the marriage been so far?

“It definitely is. Sure, there are a lot of adjustments, a lot of ‘kain-pride’ moments now that I share a home with somebody after living on my own for so long, but every moment like that proves to be most rewarding. It’s been an amazing eight months with my best friend.”

Such a beautiful love story. How did you meet and match?

“We met in school in 2010. We were in the same course, same school, same church. He eventually became one of my best friends a few years after that — me being his wingman, him being the person I ranted to about my failed relationships. At one point, Jason, our other friend James and I all broke up with our exes on the same week and had a camp sawi moment in Zambales all together. (LOL) It remained absolutely platonic until December of 2016 when we realized it’s been us all along.”

Aside from music, what other things do you and Jason have in common?

“Our humor. Our taste in food. Our love for traveling. We’re also introverts, him more than me, but one can most assuredly find us at home if we aren’t at work.” (smiley)

They say that marriage is a never-ending process of adjustment. Any challenges that you’re facing at the moment?

“That’s very true. Although I also believe that you won’t really keep track of the things you do or change about yourself to a better half when you understand your heart is for the same thing — to love and to honor each other. At the moment, too, just got through a tough season of healing. We feel like we’re stronger and braver this time around. There’s nothing but love and respect I have for my husband for standing by me so calm and so positive the whole time.”

Do you sing each other to sleep (what’s your “theme song,” if you have any)?

“Hahaha!!! Not often. Although, those nights after Idol taping and I’d be in so much pain, he sang worship songs to me. My favorite was Highs and Lows. He also recently wrote me a song (which is gonna be part of my album) called EDSA pertaining to how I often feel stuck when my depressive mode kicks in. EDSA means Emosyong Dinaan Sa Awit.” (smiley)

What are the pluses (and minuses) of marrying a fellow singer?

“We share the same heart and goal. We speak the same languages. We edit each other’s songs. And we get to make music together.”

If your marriage were a song, what song would it be?

“I wrote it on my vows during our wedding. Moira’s Vows.” (smiley)

‘Jason and I share the same heart and goal. We speak the same languages. We edit each other’s songs. And we get to make music together.’

There’s a fear in my eyes when I see you

All tomorrows appear in a blink

Fearing there’d be a day when I will awake

And I wouldn’t find you near

There are days when the past seem to shadow

All the hope that you’ve gathered for me

But then the darkness fades

And then I awake

And I feel love setting us free

And/ Cause all at once, my fears disappear

Knowing that I have you here

Though lies may come, there’s nothing they can do

For I see His promise, when I look at you

So I thank you for all of your patience

For loving me even when I explode

Taking all of the pain with nothing else to gain

Just knowing I won’t feel alone

Oh I promise that I’ll always choose you

I will trust you wherever you lead

And when there are days when you feel afraid

You can trust that I won’t walk away

So I stand here today with a promise

That together we’ll run towards Love

That in all of our days

Whether it shines or it rains

Together we’ll lift our praise

And when our time here has ended

And God asks me what I had been through

I will lay at His feet all our victories

And thank Him for giving me you

I’ll always thank Him for giving me you

Through battles won and fears overcome

I found a faithful One

Through highs and lows, you will never be alone

forever and always

My forever always

forever and always,

I love you my home

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(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)