Geneva opens up about her colorful life

Dressed in a sexy maxi sundress and with light makeup, Filipino singer Geneva Cruz strides into the executive lounge of the Fiesta Resort & Spa with a smile that lit up the room. She admitted, however, to feeling kind of glum.

“Miami lost and I feel sad because I’m a big LeBron [James] fan,” said Cruz, referring to the ongoing NBA finals.

Arriving with her sister Vannessa, Cruz is on island for the first time to perform with The Retrospect band in a concert organized by the Tan Siu Lin Foundation.

Cruz, who began her show business career in 1989 as one of the lead singers of the now defunct popular music group Smokey Mountain, got comfortable with members of the local media Friday afternoon by talking about commonplace topics and her “very colorful” life.

“My mom said I was 2 when I started singing. Then I would sing along to Lea Salonga’s songs in her Small Voice album. But I became a professional singer at the age of 12,” she said.

Out of 400 youngsters that auditioned, Cruz said she was among the eight chosen to be trained by Ryan Cayabyab, the acclaimed musician who founded the music group. After a two-month training, they were trimmed down to four and became the Smokey Mountain.

“When I was with Smokey Mountain, singing never really felt like a job,” as she had the chance to travel and record songs.

When the group disbanded, Cruz said she began doing commercials and advertisements, endorsing products such as Swatch and Gift Gate as well as recorded her first solo album, I Like You.

She gave birth to her son, 15-year-old Heaven, to former Introvoys drummer Paco Arespacochaga. Cruz has been married to MTV VJ KC Montero but admits to being separated.

“The story of my life is very colorful,” she added.

Still, Cruz remains thankful that she has received many blessings. “God has been good to me.”

Two decades after Smokey Mountain, Cruz admits to having a hard time coping with the popularity she has back home. In parties or gatherings, she prefers to socialize with those behind the scenes such as the kitchen or wait staff.

“Most of my friends are non-showbiz and musicians,” said Cruz, adding that her only best friends in show business, aside from her cousins Donna, Sheryl, Sunshine, and Rayver Cruz, is Rachel Alejandro.

“That’s why I really don’t like it when they call me a diva. It makes me uncomfortable,” she said.

According to Cruz, she is proud to be born and raised in Tondo, Manila. “I’m a Tondo girl at heart.”

Her pride in her roots inspired one of the singles in Cruz’s new album, which will be launched soon.

To Manila is about the many things she missed in the Philippines when she lived in Seattle for quite a time. “Missing the land where you were born and raised is like missing a person you love. It’s like you will still love that person despite his or her bad qualities.”

Cruz gave the media a treat by singing a few lines of the song.

Cruz is also known as an animal rights advocate, which started when she was 15 and appeared in a Sunsilk commercial feeding a giraffe in Palawan.

“I really care about animals,” she said.

Cruz signed up as a member of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. “I’ve been a supporter since 2008.”

She even posed nude—covered with only animal body parts in print—for 100 photographers. “I was shocked because that photo came out in the front page of international newspapers.”

Cruz, who likes Saipan for its lush greens and amazing beaches, is excited to perform in tonight’s concert.

“I love performing. I will sing a lot of my hit songs and some songs from my new album,” she said.

Cruz also looks forward to meeting the Filipino community on island on Sunday at the 2011 Pistang Pinoy.

“It really means a lot for me to be there because I’m proud to be a Filipino,” she said.

Cruz invites the public to come and watch their concert at the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort & Spa. Tickets are at $10 and $25 and available at Docomo Pacific and Shirley’s Coffee Shop in Susupe and Garapan.