JASMINE TRIAS: HAPPY TO BE BACK IN CEBU
Wherever she goes, her name still bears the "American Idol" tag. While some past contenders may want to do away with it, Filipino-Hawaiian singer Jasmine Trias, however, declares that she doesn't feel uncomfortable with it. "AI is still part of my story. I started there and I always believe you have to remember and look back to where you came from," says Jasmine.

The Philippines can expect to see more of Jasmine Trias in the following months now that the 19-year-old Fil-Am "American Idol" third placer is promoting her self-titled debut album under Universal Records and is doing a series of shows and concerts in different parts of the country.

This, as part of her growing up, takes Jasmine closer to the hearts of Filipinos who accepted her with arms wide open since her stint on the high-rated US reality TV show. But how Filipino really is Jasmine? "I know how to do the otso-otso," she says in jest during a presscon held at McDonald's JY Square-Lahug Wednesday afternoon, referring to the dance craze that hit the country a few years back. "Both of my parents are Filipinos and I am raised the Filipino way. I eat a lot of Filipino food too," she stresses.

Other memorable "very Filipino" experiences include her Extra Challenge guesting, wherein "I ate a palaka and I bathed using the tabo."

Tonight, Jasmine will be performing in a concert dubbed as "Jasmine Trias and South Border Live in Cebu" with the hit-making band South Border at the Cebu Grand Convention Center.

"I have performed with South Border before. We kinda share that same music vibe. The concert's gonna be upbeat. There will be a lot of fun and energy," the amiable and ever-smiling Jasmine tells the Cebu press.

Regarding her repertoire for tonight, she says, "I'll be doing R&B and performing some cuts in my album like Sana'y Lagi and Lose Control." But is R&B truly Jasmine's kind of music? "Yes and I do hip-hop too. Right now I enjoy doing R&B. It's upbeat and fun to do."

This will be Jasmine's second performance in Cebu; her first one was last January at Plaza Independencia as one of the highlights of the Sinulog celebration. Cebuanos are reputed to be a discriminating audience, however, Jasmine expressed confidence that she will merit the same warm welcome Cebuanos gave her the last time she was here. "When I came here I was really very well received. I am prepared for this concert and I am very excited to perform before the Cebuanos again," says Jasmine.

Having been busy with her singing career, Jasmine had to forego her studies for the meantime. "Right now I'm not going to school. Actually, [I plan to go to college] and take up a business course. But right now I'm making the best out from the opportunities that have been coming my way."

Jasmine shares that she has grown in maturity since her AI days. She recalls, "I was still 16 back then and the atmosphere for 16-year-olds are relaxed. Jumping all of a sudden into a huge reality TV show, which is watched by 13 million people [from across the globe], it feels intimidating and it's like being thrown into a lion den, wherein it's a survival of the fittest. So I endured a lot of pressure and it was an intense experience. However, I did grow a lot from that and I learned to work my way around it."

"The criticisms I got especially from Simon (Cowell) made me thick-skinned towards any criticism that will come my way in my chosen career. Well, it makes you frustrated at times, but it makes a good motivator for you to become a better performer," she says.

Her music goal? She hopes to represent Filipinos in the international mainstream music scene. "That would take much effort and much time. But that's what I am going to do," she admits.

As for an acting career, Jasmine is planning to take one step into that direction by relating that she will be enrolling in an acting workshop soon. There were news items saying that a movie with Hilary Duff is in the offing. "There were plans, but I don't really know," she reveals.

Still, Jasmine's priorities are clear-and that is to grow as an artist and performer. She declares, "I am still working hard towards making myself a well-rounded artist."

Catch Jasmine Trias tonight at the Cebu Grand Convention Center.
(By Bon JP Largo - The Freeman - 03/03/2006 | Posted: 3/03/2006)