Armed with a love for people and music, the young singer-songwriter is on track to living her best life.
Related: 7 of Ylona Garcia’s Best Songs That You Need to Add to Your Playlist ASAP
Ylona Garcia’s career has always been on an upward trajectory. At 21, the Filipino-Australian artist has made waves not just in the Philippines, but internationally. As a member of American record label 88rising, managed by Paradise Rising, she’s released several hits over the last couple of years like All That, Don’t Go Changing, Entertain Me, and Vibin.
This year, she’s achieved several milestones for her career, spent time with good people, and started working on new music. Hear all about her wins in 2023 below!
A CHANCE TO REPRESENT
Ylona’s recent win let her start August off with a bang. In honor of Filipino Heritage Night on August 2 US time, she performed the Philippine national anthem Lupang Hinirang in front of a crowd of thousands seated for a baseball game at the Dodgers Stadium. With a strong voice, wearing a baseball jersey in the colors of the Philippine flag, Ylona definitely made Filipinos everywhere proud.
@ylonagarcia nagkaroon ako ng pagkakataong kantahin ang Lupang Hinirang (Philippine National Anthem) sa palaro ng @Los Angeles Dodgers !! medyo kabado ako nung una na kantahin ito, dahil hindi ito ang sarili kong kanta. pero kahit na ganumpaman, ito ang kanta na nag-rerepresenta sa aking sarili at sa aking bansa. sinigurado ko na nasa tamang tono, tamang oras at higit sa lahat galing sa aking puso ang pag kanta ko nito. sana’y napasaya at napahanga ko kayo, mga kababayan. sana ay proud kayo, Pilipinas !! #fyp #dodgers #pinoypride ♬ original sound – ylonagarcia
Filipino Heritage Night is a special event done during sports events to honor and celebrate Filipinos and their culture, and Ylona was ecstatic, grateful, and admittedly a little nervous for the opportunity to represent herself and her country.
“Medyo kabado ako nung una na kantahin ito, dahil hindi ito ang sarili kong kanta. pero kahit na ganumpaman, ito ang kanta na nag-rerepresenta sa aking sarili at sa aking bansa,” she wrote in her caption for Instagram and TikTok. “Sana ay proud kayo, Pilipinas !!”
FESTIVAL FUN
In February, Wanderland Festival announced Ylona as part of their March lineup, joining artists like Carly Rae Jepsen, Rico Blanco, and No Rome. Aptly titled Wanderland: The Comeback, the festival marked Ylona’s return to the Philippine stage after four years.
it’s been almost 4 years since the last time i performed back home.
— ylona. (@ylona_garcia) February 12, 2023
i’m so excited to share a little taste of everything i’ve learned with everyone. thank you for giving me an opportunity to do what I love to do, @wanderlandfest . see you soon !! pic.twitter.com/oHGBq8c0qU
“it’s been almost 4 years since the last time i performed back home,” she posted. Ylona was scheduled to perform a set on 88rising’s Head in the Clouds Manila festival in December 22, which was unfortunately canceled due to bad weather. Thankfully, she was able to take the stage at Wanderland this 2023. After the festival, Ylona took to Instagram to admit that she was nervous about the performance, as well as express her love for what she does: “This moment is why I keep doing what I do.”
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Ylona is known to be very humble and down-to-earth. In a press event and reported by Vice, she mentioned that one of her goals in 2022 was to buy a house for her family. When she went back to Australia early on in the pandemic, she went back to studying and even took a job at McDonalds! Described as “a literal embodiment of an extrovert,” she loves making connections with people—like her fans.
This year, she got the opportunity to meet members of the Organization of Young Filipino Americans at thee University of Virginia. She performed for and with them, hosted a kamayan with her team, and had meaningful conversations as she bonded with the students over their shared culture and heritage.
STUDIO SESSIONS
Everyone’s been patiently clamoring for new music from the artist for quite a while now—and based on Ylona’s several studio sessions teasing a new album, it’s definitely coming! This year, after a “much-needed break,” Ylona came back to the studio refreshed and recharged. Fans saw an influx of photos and videos of the singer-songwriter in recording sessions, merely a taste of what’s to come.
after a much needed break to recharge and realign with myself, it sure is nice to be back in the studio and working on the album.
— ylona. (@ylona_garcia) March 28, 2023
also, big ups to @eatFFUPs for providing us with an energy booster !! it 1000% elevated the energy of the studio session, thank you vv much 🙏🏽🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/lBnZisP6vX
Mentions of “the album” excited fans on social media, and with every studio session clip, we are reminded of her versatility as a Pop/R&B artist, her gorgeous vocals, and love for music.
Throughout her career, Ylona has remained grounded, humble, and proud of her identity. She’s based in Los Angeles now, working on her music, taking her friends to Lakers games, and living her best life as a young artist blazing a trail to success. And we simply can’t wait for what’s next.
Continue Reading: With or Without Her HITC Performance, Ylona Garcia is Happy to Be Back in Manila
