KEY POINTS
- Czarina's early exposure to music, coupled with her mother's encouragement, ignited her passion for singing and songwriting.
- Czarina is currently working on her "Energy Collab Collection," an album she produced herself, featuring collaborations with other Melbourne-based artists.
- She loves promoting positivity in mind, heart, and body, and her enthusiasm for helping others live their best lives is evident in all she does.
Musical journey and achievements
Czarina Lapus's musical journey began at a young age, deeply influenced by her Filipino heritage and family traditions. "Singing is in our blood," she reflects, recalling family gatherings filled with karaoke sessions. This early exposure to music, coupled with her mother's encouragement, ignited her passion for singing and songwriting.
"My mum was a singer that’s where I got introduced to music. When I was five or six, she was holding the mic for me just to encourage me to sing in front of people. We would all get together and sing karaoke together which was really lovely when she was alive, and it was always something we do during Christmas and all the gatherings."
Czarina writes her songs while playing the keyboard or ukulele. One of her notable songs, "I Miss You," was originally written a decade ago in memory of her Lolo (grandfather) and later dedicated to her mother. This heartfelt song resonated deeply with people, especially during the COVID-19 lockdowns, amassing millions of streams and shares.
In 2016, Czarina represented Australia at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in California, bringing home a gold medal for her original works. Her song "Live and Let Go," written during a low point in her life, was a significant part of this achievement.
Current projects and collaborations
Czarina is currently working on her "Energy Collab Collection," an album she produced herself, featuring collaborations with other Melbourne-based artists. This collection aims to spread a positive message through music, with each song reflecting the unique energy of the collaborating artists. Two songs from the collection have already been released, with more on the way.
Personal life and inspirations
Balancing her music career, Czarina is a proud mother of two sporty teenagers and a spoodle fur baby. Her husband, a documentary producer, shares her passion for creativity, fostering a supportive and artistic household. Despite her busy schedule, she finds joy in her day job in human resources and her side roles as a wellness coach, the driving force behind Czarina Music. She loves promoting positivity in mind, heart, and body, and her enthusiasm for helping others live their best lives is evident in all she does.
Before marrying her current husband, she was a single mother who navigated the challenges of dating again and found a supportive partner who complements her life and family. Her experiences have shaped her into a strong and inspiring individual, driven by the support of her family and friends and her love for her children.
Music and creative process
Czarina's creative process in songwriting varies. Sometimes, she sits down with her ukulele or keyboard to write chords and lyrics based on her emotions. Encouraged by her high school music teacher to explore songwriting due to her talent for writing poetry, she pursued songwriting seriously. After high school, she performed in clubs, parties, special events, and festivals, honing her craft and sharing her talent with wider audiences.
"I was quite shy performing. I knew I had to overcome that. I joined choirs in high school. My music teacher told me have you ever thought of songwriting because I used to always like writing poetry. I really got into song writing because I wanted to write how I was feeling, I felt that I'm entertaining, sharing the talent, maybe I can help someone with what I write."
Tugtugan at Kwentuhan features the story of artists and talents who are making their own mark in the music and arts industry.
