In navigating their respective music careers, singer-songwriters Esang and James Philippe de Torres have each other's shoulders to lean on.  

James, a new Star Magic artist who just signed his contact last March, told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview that he and his sister, Esang, have been actively helping each other to improve their craft.  

“Kapag may tanong si Esang related sa music, nagtutulungan kami, and ganun din sa kanya. ‘Esang ano bang pwedeng i-improve dito, sa diction ko, sa kung papano ko i-enunciate yung mga lyrics.’ So pareho po kami nagtutulungan,” he said in an interview at Ayala Malls Vertis North during the Star Magic’s block screening of My Love Will Make You Disappear.

The singer-songwriter said he has been imparting his knowledge to his sister, which he gained as a graduate of University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music. 

As someone with an already established career in the music industry, Esang, who is known for her successful The Voice Kids stint in 2014, has been doing the same thing for her brother. 

“Masaya rin po ako na mas magkakaroon ng chance si kuya na ma-recognize and ma-showcase ‘yung talent niya when it comes to singing, when it comes to songwriting, and of course, when it comes to music in general,” she expressed.  

For James, pressure has never been an issue in their sibling relationship, saying that he has been drawing inspiration from Esang’s journey in show business.  

“Hindi ako napepressure, relaxed lang po kaming dalawa,” he said. “Kasi knowing Esang, matagal na talaga siya sa showbiz diba and ako ngayon palang sumusama sa kanya, (and) magkakaroon na rin ng solo career. Hindi ko siya tini-take as pressure, tini-take ko siya as inspiration.”  

The siblings are looking forward to some collaborative projects in the future.  

“Excited ako actually na mag-compose ng songs with her. Gusto din sana namin [mag-collaborate] in the future,” James said.  

Fans can expect new songs releases from the siblings which will be distributed through the ABS-CBN music platform.

Although details have yet to be disclosed, James hinted that he has been working on two songs: one for himself and one dedicated to his sister, Esang.  

Esang, Diego Gutierrez, James Philippe, Jarlo Base share goals as new Star Magic artists

The de Torres siblings signed their respective Star Magic contracts along with Jarlo Base Janine Gutierrez’s brother, Diego, at Noctos Music Bar in Quezon City last March 11.

In her previous interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Esang shared her desire to reach larger audiences and bring songs that are relatable to them.  

“Yung feeling na parang you know, a lot of people are singing back your own song. And I think apart from that, it's really just imagining, like, a lot of people relate and get so inspired from the song that you wrote. That itself is something that I really want to achieve. It's really my goal,” she expressed.  

James also shared the same sentiment as his sister: “Ang sarap kasi na marining na balang araw ‘yung mga songs na ginawa mo sa kwarto, na ikaw lang ang nakakarinig, kakantahin ng ibang tao sayo so, iba ‘yung ganoong feeling. Accomplishment and ‘yung mga iba ko pang songs, hopefully maparinig ko rin sa kanila and ma-produce sila ng Star Magic.”   

By Clarence Gillego