WATCH: The Cruz Cousins Talk About Music And TikTok On "Good Vibes With Edu"
Donna, Geneva, and Sunshine Cruz chatted with Edu Manzano, to talk about what it’s like being in a showbiz family—and how TikTok is keeping them occupied while under quarantine
For generations, the Cruz clan has been part of the local entertainment scene. Their performer gene goes all the way back to Tirso Cruz Sr., the highest-paid orchestra leader back in the '30s whose composition, "Mabuhay, My Philippines," became the country’s unofficial presidential marching hymn.
And that gene, obviously, did not skip the Cruz cousins Donna, Geneva, and Sunshine—the 4th generation of Cruz entertainers—who have had successful showbiz careers throughout the years.
In an episode of Good Vibes with Edu, host Edu Manzano chatted with the Cruz cousins to talk about their showbiz lives and how they’re pursuing their passion for singing despite the ongoing global health crisis.
Growing up with music
Donna jump-started her career early after winning Bulilit Kampeon in 1988, and released her very first album the year after. At 12, she became the youngest artist from Viva Records to ever record a full studio album. And to date, one of her songs, "Kapag Tumibok ang Puso" remains in the hearts and minds of Filipinos across the country.
Donna shared with Edu that when she was young, her mom would lock her in her room until she would get the songs right which might sound a bit intense for some, but she said it helped her a lot to develop her talent and gain the confidence she needed to succeed early on.
Geneva began her career early as well after being discovered and mentored by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab himself. By 1989, she was already one of the lead singers of the group, Smokey Mountain. To date, her songs "Anak ng Pasig" and "Kailan" remain classics.
She shared that they really grew up with music since many of their family members were performers and entertainers. At a young age, they would go to places like Captain’s Bar and Sheraton, where the Cruzes were exposed to the performing scene.
Geneva said, "I was fully aware of what I was singing about at a very early age such as 'Anak ng Pasig,'" because she grew up in a place where she saw the less fortunate peddling in kariton in the streets.
Sunshine, on the other hand, might have pursued an acting career, but she said that singing will always have a special place in her heart. Growing up, she said her father wanted her to become one of the members of the Seven for Seven band, but that changed when the late German Moreno (a.k.a. Kuya Germs) convinced her to join That’s Entertainment instead.
According to Geneva, even though they grew up apart from each other, the cousins maintained a close bond. She said, "We have been connected by one great thing—and that is the gift of music."
Songs from the heart
When asked to sing a song she would like to dedicate now to her kids, Donna sang a short line from Stephen Sondheim’s "Not While I’m Around." "Nothing's gonna harm you, not while I'm around. Nothing's gonna harm you, no sir, not while I'm around."
Geneva, on the other hand, shared that Michael Jackson’s "Heal the World" remains her favorite. She said that despite the lockdown, she found it a blessing to be back home in Manila to spend time with her daughter, London.
For Sunshine, she dedicated the song "You’re the Inspiration" by Chicago to her three beautiful daughters Angelina, Samantha, and Chesca, saying, "Sila ang buhay ko; sila ang inspirasyon ko… That is why I want to always be a better version of myself."
And since the pandemic is still in full swing and performers like the Cruz cousins have no means of performing right now, Geneva said that they have turned to TikTok as their way of bringing joy to their fellow Filipinos.
Check out some of Geneva's and Sunshine's TikTok videos:
If you missed it, you can watch the full Good Vibes with Edu episode with Geneva, Donna, and Sunshine Cruz below:
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