Less than a year after being discovered as a musical artist and Justin Mclaire’s career is already looking up, having already released two singles this year. His first single about a picturing the perfect date with a loved one, “Bining Pantasya”,  was released by ABS-CBN record label StarPop. His second single, “Love Me Back”, was released last month. 

“Last year lang talaga ako na-discover, tapos this year nag-release ako ng two songs,” he shared with PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview. 

Justin credits his exposure to theater as the one that led him to his career as a singer. He started his theater acting at a very young age, partly because his family was also active in the the theater. 

“Nag-start ako sa pagkanta siguro mga 13 years old ako, then ang nagturo sa akin — actually wala eh, pero na-impluwensiyahan ako sa pagkanta kasi theater actor ako. Kaya musically inclined, so parang gusto ko rin kumanta. Nag-try ako gumawa ng kanta dati sa theater,” he explained. “Actually, nag-start ako sa theater at five or six years old. Pinakaunang play ko yung Florante at Laura. Batang Florante ako nun. Parents ko nag-ti-theater.”

Justin revealed that he wrote the first song he reelased after being inspired by his celebrity crush, BINI member Mikha. “No’ng minsan na nakikinig ako ng songs, may biglang sumikat na P-pop girl group tapos naisip ko na gawan ng kanta yung isang member sa group na iyon. Siya yung naging inspirasyon ko sa kanta. Yung nararamdaman ko sa kanya, parang tinawid ko na lang sa ginawa kong kanta. Parang ginawa ko siyang inspirasyon para makagawa ako ng isang kanta na about sa kanya. Parang sa kanilang walo, parang sa kanya talaga napunta yung attention ko. Parang sa kanya talaga pumaling yung atensyon ko kaya sa kanya ko binigay yung parang kantang ‘Bining Pantasya’ nga po,” he said. 

The StarPop artist admitted that he has yet to formally meet his inspiration or hear any feedback about what she thinks about his song, but he is hopeful that she likes what he wrote for her. “Na-meet ko na siya pero hindi niya ako kilala. Wala pa (reaction from her) pero alam ko na may nakapanuod na sa kanila. Pero yung goal ko na si BINI Mikha, parang wala pa pong reaction,” he added. 

WATCH: Kapamilya Chat with Shanaia Gomez and Justin Mclaire

Currently working on releasing his third single within the next few months, Justin admits his songwriting process is made easier when he is inspired by someone or something. “Siguro may inspiration kasi nahuhugot ko yung lyrics dun pag sarili mong inspirasyon or sarili mong nararamdaman yung sinusulat mo,” he admitted.

“Medyo kinakabahan ako, so may halong kaba, may halong saya, pero siyempre mas nangingibabaw yung saya,” said Justin of his journey as a singer.

Even though he is trying to make a name for himself as a singer, Justin says he is sure to go back to his theatrical roots at some point in his career. “Actually, gusto ko rin mag-theater ulit. Mag-ti-theater pa rin ako pero ngayon wala pang shows. Pero gusto ko rin pumasok sa acting o sa acting management, parang ganun. Parang gusto ko rin um-acting on national TV. Nayon lang mas focused ako sa music talaga,” he said. 

Justin also shared that his musical influences range from local and international artists like  Flow G, Adie, and Ez Mil.