Friendship keeps La Diva in harmony

The primary criticism for a group formed by putting together solo stars is the notion that it is a manufactured product lacking the camaraderie a collective act requires. This thinking is immaterial for current sensation La Diva: Pinoy Pop Superstar winners Jonalyn Viray, Maricris Garcia, and Aicelle Santos. They all believe that friendship, more than anything else, has made themselves strong enough to perform together as a trio of wonderful voices. "Were already friends even before we became a group," says Maricris who as soloist and winner of "Pinoy Pop Superstar" year 3 has been dubbed the "Divine Princess" due to her voices resemblance to that of Zsa Zsa Padilla. "Nasanay na kami sa isat isa and we already know each others strengths and weaknesses." As one-third of the countrys "Destinys Child," she usually delivers the mezzo-soprano part to complement Jonalyns soprano and Aicelles alto duties. Formed in 2008 by the GMA Artist Center, the trend-setting La Diva, which unlike other girl groups present the members in equal exposure, became an instant hit with their emphatic rendition of Guy Sebastians "Angels Brought Me Here." The song is the theme of the wellfollowed "Queen Seon Deok" Koreanovela (aired over GMA-7) and off their self-titled debut album released last year through the joint effort of GMA Records and Sony Music. Jonalyn, the groups small-but-terrible belter and first "Pinoy Pop Superstar" winner, finds a very positive vibe in their union, believing that their fans as individual artists have found a way to party together. "Natutuwa at nagtutulungan ang mga fans namin to cheer for us kaya we feel mas dumami pa ang nakaka-appreciate sa amin. Hindi nawala yung mga sumusubaybay sa individual journeys namin as singers at nadagdagan pa sila ngayon." La Diva staged their first major concert in November 2009 at the Music Museum. That was just a couple of weeks since performing a heart-pounding live take of "Lupang Hinirang" at the Pacquiao-Cotto fight which for many critics was their official nationwide audition. The three recalled feeling privileged that Pacquaio personally chose them after auditioning in his presence. Asked whether they are threatened that local groups patterned after La Diva are likely to come out and rival them, Aicelle, the number one girl from the second "Pinoy Pop Superstar" edition, prefers using the word "challenged." "That is part of our motivation to give our best all the time," she says. Aside from being busy with corporate shows and gigs, La Diva performs regularly in GMAs Sunday noontime show "Party Pilipinas." Theyre now preparing for another big concert (set in SM Norths Skydome) in July and a US Tour in August. Such visibility goes well with the fact that their hits have kept coming, including their version of Basil Valdezs "Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan" and the "Rosalinda" theme song, among others.