There was no stopping Jilean Shain Taghap as she flew to Manila from Bohol for her first press conference and meeting with music executives to plan her career and much-anticipated debut album.
Taghap, also known as "Shin Shin" and "Biritera ng Bohol," was a little shy when she met with showbiz journalists, but her charm shone through. While initially struggling to answer questions, the "It" factor remained constant.
Jilean Shain Taghap meets the press. Josh Mercado
In her little red dress and small frame, Taghap gave a powerful performance of her viral covers of "Banal na Aso, Santong Kabayo" and "Nosi Balasi," which wowed the audience. Her vocal technique rocked the venue like a true star with that innocent tone that conveyed the message.
Her mother, Diocelle Taghap, was present to support the 8-year-old Bohol singer during her first media event, admitting that her daughter's online fame continues to be overwhelming.
“Actually, nao-overwhelm pa ako. Ganoon pala ‘yun. Para ba akong na-shock kasi hindi ko naman ine-expect na ganoon [ang mangyayari]. Wala naman akong intensiyon na pasikatin [siya]. Masayang-masaya ako sa nangyayari sa kanya,” the mother said.
The young artist and her supportive mom also told ABS-CBN News that they intend to release original songs.
“Because her music was influenced by Janine Berdin and other ballad rock singers, we intend to release original songs that highlight both her powerful voice and rock side. The songs should be in Filipino because her target audience has always been the general public,” said the viral singer’s mom.
Jilean Shain Taghap with her mother Diocelle Taghap. Josh Mercado
Meanwhile, speaking of her idol, the "Biritera ng Bohol" explained why Berdin is her favorite artist.
“When I first heard Ate Janine, I was mesmerized by her powerful voice. I adore how she always adds her own touch to every song. I have a great appreciation for Filipino music because I grew up hearing my parents listen to it all the time,” she told ABS-CBN News.
Hoping to collaborate with Berdin, she stated, "My ultimate dream is to sing with Ate Janine. And I hope to be an artist like her. I am grateful to my mother for introducing me to the world of music."
Addressing her online fan base, she told ABS-CBN News, “Their support is extremely valuable to me. Without the support of my fans, I would not have gained global attention. I promise to always give it my all when singing each song. Maraming salamat po.”
ABS-CBN News dug deeper into Taghap's singing influence and discovered that her grandmother was a singing champion in various singing competitions during the 1980s. Her mother, who had been training her since she was a child, also used to sing at local events. Her uncle also supports her career, giving true meaning to the showbiz phrase "it takes a village to create a star."