Marion Aunor. Handout 

MANILA -- Grammy voting member Marion Aunor gave props to her mother, '70s teen star Maribel “Lala” Aunor and aunt, National Artist Nora Aunor, for inspiring her to join show business.

“Nakaka-proud to be part of a musical family. Although nagkakaroon ng expectation na ‘is your music like your tita or mom’ but nung narinig nila ‘yung music ko, super iba naman. Some people said it’s not Nora Aunor, it’s Norah Jones,” Marion said.

Marion gained her spot in the music scene after winning third place in the Himig Handog Songwriting Contest in 2013 for “If You Ever Change Your Mind.” Now she’s writing, arranging, and recording songs for movies and other artists.

“It’s been a long journey. Maraming nabago. My song with Himig Handog launched my career and got signed sa Star Music. Then they started to ask me to write songs for movies and other artists -- sina Sharon Cuneta, Jaya, and Kathryn Bernardo. It’s a long list. After that, naging music producer na rin ako. Nag-a-arrange ng songs for other artists. Mayroon ding tinayong production company with my sister Ashley, who’s with Star Music now. In 2021 naman, I launched my own record company,” she narrated. 

Today, the singer and owner of her own record label Wild Dream Records is celebrating her 11th anniversary in showbiz with a new song “Nahulog” and a Valentine’s Day show. 

“This new song parang vintage love song. I just wanted something romantic kasi ‘yung previous songs ko laging hugot or heartbreak na parang nama-manifest sa life ko ‘yung heartbreak. So sabi ko, let me try to manifest something positive and let’s see what happens in 2024. I just wanted a nice feel good love song na puwedeng i-play sa wedding or kapag magpro-propose,” she told ABS-CBN News. 

Aunor also detailed the story behind her upcoming show on February 14 at Viva Cafe in Cubao. 

“Actually dapat nung December itong show kaso na-busy lang din and naisip ko rin na perfect to launch the song din sa Valentine’s show. I call it ‘Valentines Show Para Sa Mga Walang Ka-Valentine.’ It’s light and funny lang. It’s intimate lang naman but even if it’s just intimate gusto kong magdala ng full band,” Aunor said.

Promoting her latest single, Aunor noted that her music has evolved over the years "from piano ballad to jazzy." 

"My first album was parang lounge and relaxing and then ‘yung sa second album ‘yun ‘yung parang experimental na jazz and EDM. And then when I moved to Viva, I wanted to go back to my roots na piano ballad. At that time puro English ‘yung sinusulat kong songs and Boss Vic (del Rosario) challenged me to write more Tagalog songs,” she said.

Asked about her record label, she said: “I wanna keep evolving and I’ve always been the type of person na gusto kong pinu-push ‘yung people to pursue their dreams kaya nga Wild Dream Records. Like ‘yung mga kinukuha kong artists like si Matt Wilson he’s a teacher in high school and ni-pursue niya lang din sa TikTok. ‘Yung parang ganun na mayroong background. Ganun ‘yung advocacy ng Wild Dream na anyone can dream and anyone can pursue their dreams. We really need to be hands on lalo na baby pa lang ‘yung Wild Dream.”

As for her plans for 2024, she said, “It would be cool to either collab or write songs for Sarah G and Bamboo.”

The singer-songwriter is a proud voting member of Grammys where she attended the biggest music awards night back in 2019. 

“I met Camila Cabello, JLo, and other artists. Lady Gaga was there. Michelle Obama too. I was able to be in the same room as them and after nun mayroon pang Grammys after-party. Mayroong different chapters from different states na nasa party. As a member, puwede ka ring ma-invite sa Grammy Museum tapos mayroong mga exclusive performances,” she said.

Asked how she got the spot as member, she shared, “After graduation, my teacher invited us to the songwriting convention sa LA and mayroong staff dun ng Grammy na nag-scout kung sinong qualified to join and ini-screen nila.”

Tickets for “Valentines Show Para Sa Mga Walang Ka-Valentine” are available directly through Viva Cafe. The show is directed by Vivian Poblete with musical direction by Elmer Blancaflor.