MANILA -- The song, “Mr. DJ,” is the first big hit of Sharon Cuneta. The Rey Valera-composed ditty undoubtedly introduced Cuneta to the music and entertainment world. The song also became memorable to a lot of people, who inevitably became attached to its stirring melody and sentimental lyrics.

Cuneta’s daughter, Frankie Pangilinan or fondly called “Kakie,” admittedly grew up listening to “Mr. DJ,” also a favorite song of her mom. Pangilinan is aware that a lot of people are familiar with the song and can even sing a line or two, if not the whole tune.

“I grew up hearing ‘Mr. DJ’ performed live constantly and consistently,” Pangilinan acknowledged. “I have a lot of personal attachment to that song and the lovely memories it gives me.”

Apparently, “Mr. DJ” also became Pangilinan’s inspiration to embark on a singing career after she finished high school. The 18-year-old bided her time. She could have joined showbiz early on, easily and even instantly. Yet, she made sure about what she really wanted to pursue.

“I would love to become an actress, but I’m not sure if I have the talent nor the experience,” Pangilinan humbly admitted. “I think acting, like any art form, should be reserved for the people who are able to adequately convey roles.

“Good actors are real and recognize the value of portraying people and humans at our most fundamental. Like I said, though, I’m not so into the whole manufactured showbiz scene that’s developed in the Philippines. Acting is a great avenue. I just don’t know if I’m the person for it.”

Pangilinan discovered her singing talent early on. Not surprisingly, she has been performing onstage and has been singing on TV occasionally. “It wasn’t anything corporate or business-fueled,” she maintained. “I feel I should definitely stress that now. It’s just that I had to grow up. I had to focus on school, which I still do and I had to reach a level of maturity (or at least near it!) in order to be capable of holding my own.

“I guess, in the simplest of terms, I’m a person now. I’m a whole person. I can confidently say I’ve never been blinded by glitz and glamour. Posterity and showbiz isn’t my thing. I’m not a professional. I’m just doing my best to make art that speaks to the heart as it comes from my own. And I’m quite particular about that.”

Early on, Pangilinan tried stringing words and melodies together to create songs. It comes as no surprise that she really wants to record songs that she herself has written.

“I’ve written songs that cater to a separate sound that perhaps Filipinos haven’t heard before,” she insisted “My voice is deeper than most women (to say the least), which I had to grow up and realize isn’t a characteristic that’s often associated with success or greatness to Filipino ears.

“I want to change that. There’s a thing about birit and high notes that – while completely valid as a tier of talent I can only hope to reach – is a standard I wish to break through. There are thousands of kinds of voices. It’s time to hear them all.”

Panglinan recently launched her debut single, “tyl (true young lovers),” a song she wrote, produced by Ely Buendia and released by Curve Entertainment. Only a week after its release, “tyl” impressively entered the iTunes chart simultaneously in the Philippines, Canada and Australia.

Two versions of “tyl” are now out in all digital platforms – the original, mid-tempo version and an acoustic version that was originally a “rehearsal” take, but Buendia recorded it somehow, so it was also released.

Pangilinan’s penchant for writing songs came out naturally. “I just can’t stop writing – writing anything, songs, poems, novels, stories, essays,” she beamed. “It’s all I do. I can’t tell you when this began or where this passion came from. It’s borderline obsessive and tends to keep me up at night. But seriously, with little hyperbole, it keeps me breathing.”

She is delighted at working with her team for the single and eventually, for the album. “I was given the wonderful opportunity to finally work with a team of people who were kind enough to give me primary creative control,” Pangilinan offered. “Tito Ciso (Chan) and everyone at Curve are exceptionally good and kind and brilliant at what they do.

“I’ve always been writing music, though I’m sure you know that I write nonstop and I always have. But I felt that with that writing came a certain degree of integrity, which I entirely intend to preserve. My music is honest. And it should be kept that way for always.”

Aside from her mom, Pangilinan counts “a million” other influences when it comes to her music. “I liked a lot of jazz standards growing up – Ella Fitzgerald, Eartha Kitt, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole (and his daughter Natalie), Billie Holiday," she said.

“To this day, they’re my standards, too. Then there were the influences of my parents’ tastes – The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Andrew Gold, James Taylor, Barbra Streisand, many others. I can’t even begin to list them all.”

There was a time, Pangilinan even had her “rock phase,” that she still remembers fondly. “My Chemical Romance made these beautifully executed conceptual albums that still don’t get enough credit for their core artistic value,” she rued.

“There‘s Green Day, 5 Seconds of Summer (who I supported since their YouTube days), The Eraserheads (I memorized every song), McFly and more recently, I love Clairo, IV of Spades, Phum Viphurit, Daniel Caesar, Tyler the Creator, Kendrick Lamar, John Mayer, Curtismith.”

Aside from singing and recording, Pangilinan wants to explore a lot of other things. “Basically, what I’m trying to get at is I have a taste that can never be set to one genre,” she offered. “It’s constantly evolving. One thing that all the music I adore has in common is honesty. I like artists with passion and imagination and fundamental artistic drive. That’s what music is about. That’s what makes it good.”

One day, soon, Pangilinan expresses her desire to share the stage with local talents. “I haven’t had the chance to perform with many yet, but I love Ate Moira (De la Torre), she’s so kind. I’d love to collaborate with more.”

Pangilinan will be thrilled no end to “properly publishing my writing, above all else.” As for the other songs in her album, “That’s a secret you’ll have to wait and see,” she insisted. “But all the songs are written solely by me.”

Understandably, Pangilinan made a playlist of all the “essentials” or every song she’s ever loved. “There’s a very high standard, a criteria, for every song on there. Anything that falls short of this standard cannot be included. I must love it wholly and it’s got to speak to me or did speak to me at one point in my life. It’s a public playlist, so I’ll just link it here for your benefit.”