OPM Icons Hannah, Lougee, and Acel Were All Inspired By This One Female Artist

On November 26, six of the most talented women from the most popular female-fronted ‘90s bands will convene to perform in Tanaw, a show that is expected to rekindle their fans’ love for their greatest hits and let them experience the same talent and charm that captured their hearts many years ago. 

These artists are Hannah Romawac-Olives of Session Road; Imago’s former vocalist, Aia de Leon; former Moonstar 88 frontwoman Acel Bisa van Ommen; now solo artist Barbie Almalbis-Honasan, formerly of Hungry Young poets and Barbie’s Cradle; and former Mojofly vocalist Kitchie Nadal-Lopez and current vocalist, Lougee Basabas.

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The concert is the offshoot of what was supposed to be a simple lunch get-together, but one thing led to another, and things eventually led to a discussion of the possibility of sharing the stage for one great show.

In an interview with Esquire Philippines, Lougee, Hannah, and Acel talked about how witnessing each other’s performances on stage, albeit in different bands, had always been uplifting and rewarding. If there was any competition, it was always healthy and never the kind to pit one against the other, which is why they have remained friends over the years.

Barbie Almalbis

Hannah clearly remembers the moment Barbie Almabis unknowingly pushed her to take the biggest leap of her career. At the time, Hannah was still with another band but felt that she wanted to pursue other things. Songs and ideas were brewing inside her. 

“I wanted to do my own music already,” Hannah said. “I was trying to find my way. Parang, hindi ko na ‘to gusto. Gusto ko nang gumawa ng sarili kong stuff. 

“And then I saw Barbie on stage for the very first time.” 

Back then, Barbie was still with the band Hungry Young Poets (HYP), which is best known for the hits “Torpe” and “Firewoman.”

Hannah continues, “I looked at her. She was singing her own songs up on stage. And then mangiyak-ngiyak ako do’n. I was just in the audience, and I was just looking at her, and then I was like, ‘Yan ‘yung gusto kong gawin, eh. Ganyan yung gusto kong gawin.” 

Aia De Leon

Hannah told Barbie about this experience during their lunch date, punctuating her story with, “You know what, that night, I quit the band!” She and Barbie exchanged high-fives.

“You don’t know when you’re inspiring people. You’re just being [inspiring]. Thanks to you, just doing your thing,” Hannah said, addressing Barbie. “Naudyok talaga ako. You know what, this is the path I want to take. I said goodbye to my old band, went to Baguio and did Session Road.”

Lougee chimed in, saying, “Si Barbie talaga, I would say, has really inspired a lot of women to write, to find their own voice, to express themselves no matter, kahit saang path ka pa nanggaling.” Lougee had a similarly inspiring experience when she saw the latter performing with HYP in a local mall. At the time, Lougee was still part of Kaya, a teen pop group formed by composer and National Artist Ryan Cayabyab.

“I was enjoying myself, but then I knew in my heart that this was not the kind of music I enjoy singing,” Lougee admitted. “At that time, I was already writing my own songs and playing the guitar, but in my room lang, in my quiet little space.”

Kitchie Nadal

“Ang nakikinig lang sa akin—and patago pang nakikinig—is yung mommy ko.” Lougee said, giggling halfway. 

“Nung napanood ko si Barbie, I said to myself, ‘Balang araw, magagawa ko rin ‘yan.’”

Lougee, being the ‘baby’ in the group and the last to join the OPM band scene, also recalled a time when seeing Hannah perform strengthened her resolve to continue writing her own songs and performing. This was after she left Kaya and had just started playing in a band.

“You know naman how Hannah performs. She’s like, 100 percent all the time,” Lougee said. “Di ba? Wala siyang pakialam. I’m just gonna sing my heart out, I’m just gonna rock out. She didn’t care if people appreciate the song, they don’t know the song, or they’re too drunk to realize kung ano yung kinakanta niya. She just kept playing her heart out.”

Seeing Hannah in her element, Lougee told herself, “If she can do that, maybe I can do that, too.’”

Acel started playing in a band as early as 1995 as the vocalist of alternative pop band Orphan Lily. Despite being one of the most experienced as a musician among the six women and one who has remained active in the music scene, she is as humble as ever, and has only good things to say about the rest.

“Sobrang inspiring lahat, and humble. Sobrang, they would appreciate you,” she said.

Acel recalls the time when Kitchie and Barbie personally messaged her to compliment her on her work as a solo artist. “I found that very affirming.” 

It meant a lot to Acel, considering the other two were already music icons in their own right. 

Lougee, Acel, and Hannah

Acel admires Barbie both as a singer-songwriter and as a guitarist. When Acel needs someone with technical knowledge to assist her in setting up her guitar and other equipment, she asks Barbie for help, and the latter gladly walks her through the process.

Hannah likewise appreciates the other women in their so-called collective. “This group operates from a place of love and kindness,” she said. 

“We’re all just trying to make things work out. I think we’re also at the stage of our life where we’re honest enough to say, ‘Hey, I’m not good at this, maybe you should do it.’”

Hannah thinks this attitude is good for their upcoming show, since each of them acknowledges the others’ strengths and is willing to share the spotlight—nobody wants her own pedestal. They all just want to perform and deliver a great show.

Lougee loves the gung-ho, positive attitude of the group, and how appreciative everyone is. She seconds Acel’s claim of how accommodating and generous Barbie is with her talent. She recalls the times she and Barbie would discuss guitar playing techniques, when Lougee would try to get pointers from the latter. Barbie never made her feel that she was less of a guitar player.

“Barbie is very encouraging, very gentle. She actually believes na kaya mong gawin, so you believe in yourself. I love how there’s no judgment.”

Women uplifting women has inevitably become a theme, or even a common sentiment for these six exceptional women and their upcoming concert.

“Ihanda niyo yung sarili niyo for the show. Magkakaroon ng maraming gano’n—women honoring each other,” said Lougee.

Watch Tanaw at The Theater at Solaire on Saturday, November 26, 8pm. Get your tickets at Ticketworld.