Steadily soaring singer Joice Espinoza has just celebrated her milestone 18th birthday, marking what she describes as an exciting and slightly overwhelming chapter in her life. Born on June 6, 2007, she is nevertheless confidently embracing the journey of stepping into adulthood.
“Being an 18-year-old girl today is both exciting and stressful,” she admitted. “You now have a huge duty to carry and conduct yourself well so that people won’t be disappointed with you. But it’s not a problem I constantly think about. I’m just appreciating each moment and opportunity that comes my way.”
Determined to stay grounded despite the pressures of her growing career, Espinoza added, “I don’t let pressure deplete my energy. What we should do is direct our energy into things that give us joy, which in my case include singing and performing.”
Of course, the birthday girl has to sing her viral hit ‘Pangako Mo’ at her party.
This perspective is something she has carried throughout her young but already noteworthy journey in the music industry. After gaining popularity with her hit song “Pangako Mo” — written by her manager, John Rey Malto — Espinoza has continued to draw attention for her sweet, angelic voice and sincere performances.
“Perhaps the song’s message is what made it a hit. If you haven’t heard it yet, the song is about the beauty of promises maintained by people who made them — making you feel loved and cared for and, most importantly, making your trust worthwhile. It is about romanticizing what love offers and teaches, as well as the emotions it can evoke,” she shared.
With her loved ones and supporters looking on, Espinoza welcomes her milstone birthday with joy and gratitude.
The single, which went viral on TikTok and YouTube last year and remains on radio playlists today, has opened many doors for Espinoza, including a nomination for Best New Female Artist at the 37th Aliw Awards.
And for this eventful lead-up to her debut, Espinoza says she has very supportive people to thank who believe in her artistic choices. “It’s great to have a team that completely supports me and my work as an artist. I can’t express how fortunate I am to have both parents and a manager who are always looking out for me. They often remind me that there is no need to rush things as long as you have the passion and do things right,” she said.
“And that is quite useful, especially in an era where everything on social media appears to be perfect. It sometimes gets to my head, but I know I belong in the music industry,” she added.
Now that she has reached this new stage in her life, Espinoza is working on new music that she hopes will reflect her personal growth and maturity.
“I’ve prepared some lyrics for various songs, but nothing is completed yet. Making music is an art that requires time, dedication, and creativity. It’s not just about releasing music for me. This time, I want to create songs that are deeply personal. I want my music to reflect who I am today, as an 18-year-old girl with big goals,” she revealed.
As she carefully works on her new material, Espinoza also shared her desire to connect with people on a deeper level — much like her idol, Lea Salonga, does through her music. “I want people to connect with me as an artist through my music. Ms. Lea Salonga is such an inspiration to me. I love how she narrates the story of the song. When she performs, she isn’t singing; she’s telling a story. I want to be that vulnerable when it comes to singing. I am in love with her and want to be able to collaborate with her,” she gushed.
It is this same genuine desire for connection that drives Espinoza every time she steps on stage, especially since performing continues to give her a profound sense of fulfillment.
“The satisfaction I get from doing this is completely rewarding. Seeing others enjoy themselves while watching me perform makes me happy. I appreciate making people feel like they can relate to someone. Having a mutual connection with someone helps others deal more efficiently and teaches us to be truly grateful,” she expressed.
Looking back on her early years, Espinoza’s love for music and performing has always been evident. In 2023, she competed in ABS-CBN’s “It’s Showtime’s Tawag Ng Tanghalan” Season 7, further honing her skills and building her confidence. But even before that, at just 10 years old, she had already made her mark on the international stage when she joined the Princess of the World competition in Pomorie, Bulgaria. She won both the voice and modeling categories, with her standout talent performance earning a standing ovation from judges and the audience alike.
Her passion for music has also brought her global acclaim. Espinoza’s original song has been recognized at the Parai Musical International Awards in Chennai, India, and the Global Music Awards 2024 in California. The music video for the same song was likewise recognized at the World Music and Independent Film Festival in Virginia, USA, and the 2024 Europe Music Video Awards.
Under Malto’s continued guidance, Espinoza now looks ahead to this exciting new chapter with a deeper sense of purpose, eager to grow not just as an artist but as a young woman coming into her own.
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